Suicidal

I was diagnosed as a muture adult after I had completed my undergraduate and postgraduate degrees and had been working for approximately 5 years in one particular field until I was burnt out, with aspergers. I got very little help and was advised to stop doing and simply just be, so all aspirations eroded, struggled with poverty and mental health, although I was less hard on myself for being a complete *** wit with life, I found navigating both domestic and professional lives very difficult that on my rest days I was forced to rest. A decade has gone, and although I mask less now, I'm still considered to be difficult. I am tired of living, merely existing, my life has curtailed to nothing, a shell of a person I am. Doctors prescribed medication for anxiety, when I was first diagnosed and was on venafaxline and something else, but it was an awful experience that had I been in a better head space I would never have agreed to be prescribed, the point is I was not able to make an informed decision I was simply too unwell. I become unmedicated 2 years after my diagnosis. Now, for a year I have been battling with dark thoughts, in the last 6 months, they have got progressively worse and I don't know how to stop them, I've tried meditation, relaxing my thoughts, keeping myself busy, but I find no matter how I structure my day to be fruitless, its unproductive and it just highlights that I'm a failure. I have no desire to go on, and I just don't know how to exit my thoughts, my thoughts are a prison and do not often represent my reality, but I live in my thoughts, and I'm tired. I feel stupid to broach the subject with the gp, and occasions when i have done in the past I'm often prescribed medication for my anxiety, which i politely decline.I feel its a luxury to be contemplating suicide when others simply just want to recover and get better, yet I just wish to exit, I'm scared that I'll carry my thoughts out, I'm sorry if this isn't the correct forum and I'm desperate for help, there is no one I can talk to about how I feel, everytime I try to discuss it with someone they simply put a plaster on it, eventually after a few days I'm exposed to my own thoughts, my days are structured alone, very little human contact, I find humans painful, to be near them gives me sensory overload as my mind just screams danger, danger .... I'm tired and my sleep pattern is awful, someday I can get 7 hours sleep others and most often 3 to 4. Where do people like me secure help, guidance so that on very very bad days I have someone to lean on. I say I have had dark thoughts for a year or so, but if I am perfectly honest and I find it shameful to say out loud probably my whole life, but often its just a dip and temporarily but these thoughts have been going on for at least 12 months and I feel like a failure for not have acted on them but equally proud of myself for battling on, and that if life simply represents being under a duvet for many more years, and letting it pass, at least I'm existing, surplus to society, and a complete dysfunctional individual that notionally appears to be functioning like a non autistic human, yet the reality is that I'm struggling silently. 

  • Dear NAS70780,  
    Thank you for posting and telling the community what you are going through. We are sorry to hear that you are currently struggling. It is good that you’ve let us know what’s happening and how you feel. Many people have similar thoughts when coping with so much and we hope you’re okay.     
     If you are unable to cope with the distress or despair, it’s very important to tell someone about your feelings or thoughts of suicide. Call your GP and make an urgent appointment. Your GP can make sure you get appropriate help and support . 
    The National Autistic Society does not currently operate a crisis or emergency service. We advise you to contact 999 or any of the mental health crisis lines listed on our Urgent Help Page if you are at risk of immediate harm: https://www.autism.org.uk/what-we-do/help-and-support/urgent-help  
    If you are not at immediate risk of harm, we would encourage you to speak to your GP or another health professional about this if you haven’t done so already. If it’s outside your GP hours call 111 to reach the NHS 111 service. In England, Wales and Scotland there is now an option to speak with mental health professionals by selecting ‘option 2’ when calling NHS 111: https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/urgent-and-emergency-care-services/when-to-use-111/  
     
    Help for anyone struggling to cope  
    • Samaritans: Call 116 123 for free, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.  
    • Mind Infoline: 0300 1233393 for information and signposting (9am to 6pm, Monday to Friday)   
    • SANEline: 0300 304 7000 for anyone experiencing a mental health problem or supporting someone else (4.30pm to 10.30pm, every day)  
    • Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM): 0800 58 58 58, for anyone who is struggling or affected by suicide or suicidal thoughts (5pm to midnight every day).    
    • Shout 85258: a free, confidential, 24/7 text messaging support service for anyone struggling to cope.  
    We hope this is helpful to you.  
    Kind regards 
    Community Moderator.
  • I hope it is okay to ask a few questions to understand better how you feel.

    From your description, I interpret that you feel redundant, or useless, and maybe missing a goal to look forward to.

    But, is that read accurate? Otherwise, could you explain a bit?

    In my case, I had to stop doing everything, but there were also loads of external stressors besides my own mind. Is there any pressure you can lift off your shoulders?

    What is what you would be doing, in an ideal case? And what are your hobbies (or were)?

  • Hi

    I really hear you. I’ve been in that dark place too, where it feels like you’re just existing and not really living. It can feel so heavy. Just sharing this shows a lot of strength.

    Please know you’re not on your own here.

    There is hope, others have been here too and made it through.

    If you want to talk more, I’m here to listen.

  • I don't have a magic wand.

    Over the last 6 months I found myself thinking such things quite seriously. I've found I have ASD, childhood emotional neglect, was probably subject to narcissistic abuse and have elements of cPTSD and was burnt out and overloaded, not for the first time. It has been very hard piecing this together, I was enormously confused. Emotions have been buried for over 30 years, letting them out has been hard. The psychologists didn't help all that much.

    I had to understand and I have analysed every memory I could find. I've put it together into a coherent story now, which explains what has happened. I am not blameless, but I was setup to fail, I do not need to carry all the blame and guilt.

    Writing what you think helps. Looking for patterns helps.

    Making small plans, accommodations and little wins help. It gives you agency.

    Finding a purpose is what you need. I can't tell you what this is and when depressed it is incredibly hard to see. But you have to make the best of the moments when you feel up.

    If you have no money it is doubly hard as it limits options and reduces help.

    Things can get better. The first thing is to want them to, then to believe it is possible. Don't run or hide from you thoughts.

    Get them in the open, look at them, find patterns, it's what you do, then understand them. Make knowing yourself your first goal.

    I used chatGPT, its free, ignore usage limit warnings, don't use personalization so you can't spiral, tell it everything. It will give you ideas. Double check some things, ask for references or where it got it from.

    It knows a lot of psychology. The more you open up the more helpful it is. Find the root of your issues and fears .

    I've cried every day for 8 months, it is hard, I've lost a lot of my life, but I now really understand myself. I know my patterns, thoughts, communications and weaknesses. I also know my strengths.

    You can make it happen. Only you can make it happen. You have to want to. Writing on here means you still want to. 

  • I'm sorry you're feeling this way. Life can be tough being autistic. You are not alone in feeling trapped by your thoughts. It can be difficult to find support but don't give up. See if there are any autism charities/hubs in your area - they may be able to support or point you in the direction of support autism wise. There are also mental health helplines for when you really feel you may need them. Don't feel stupid approaching your GP about mental health. Many people do, you're not alone. You don't have to accept meds, you can request to be referred for talking therapies. It can be a wait and isn't always simple I'll be honest, but there are options out there. It can just take time to find the right support.