Published on 12, July, 2020
Hi all. I’m 39F undiagnosed but confident I have Asperger’s. I’ve only been aware for the last few years but it explains so many of the struggles I had since childhood and I now feel I live with that trauma. Most nights I dream about autism related moments from younger years.
I’m also a ‘functioning’ alcoholic which I believe stems from my autism.
I’d like to speak to a therapist who specialises in autism. Has anyone done similar and have any recommendations on how to find someone please?
Welcome aboard!
Alcohol issues seem a common theme, I'd probably not drink were I not autistic, the hangover anxiety is horrible, but then I'd not function (or at least feel like I couldn't) in social situations.
It quiets the noisy mind too, so i often have a few beers on my own, I know, dangerous!
Recently I've taken steps to try and drink a lot less, 20 years ago I drank every night, then went to just weekends and now I try and avoid it unless socially or a special occasion (not using "it's Friday" as a reason to drink any more!)
You might want to look at diagnosis, I really thought I was probably autistic or maybe ADHD for a long time and never felt I needed a confirmation, but diagnosis helped me truly believe it, education provided post diagnosis helped a lot too. Also there's some quite subtly different ways to approach different neuro divergent types. As other have mentioned too there's lots of overlaps.