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Just Been Diagnosed

Megan

Hi everyone,

After having my suspicions for a long time, I have finally been properly diagnosed as autistic. I turn 24 tomorrow, so it certainly is a big week to be finding out things about myself.

As I have a lot of issues with executive dysfunction, lack of focus and impulse spending amongst other things, I decided to also get assessed for ADHD. It was agreed that I do have some traits of ADHD, but ultimately not enough to get a diagnosis. Whilst this is what I was expecting, ultimately I wanted to be able to take medication to deal with these things, so now I feel like I just have to deal with it on my own and I don't know what to do.

That's the general feeling about all this, to be honest. I struggle so much with so many things, so what do I do?

I have a retail job that is only part-time but it drains me so much that I can't bring myself to do anything outside of it - I am trying to look at other jobs, but none of them want to hire me.

I am being referred for CBT but I have heard really bad things about it and worry that it won't do anything. If others, particularly those who aren't men, could share their experiences with me that would be great.

Generally I just feel so stuck right now and wanted to vent a little to people who would understand, I hope that's okay. I'd really appreciate some advice or things I can actually do, too. Does it ever get easier?

Thank you for taking the time to read this, I hope I can figure things out soon.

Parents

  • Some of the problems you describe might just be down to ASD. Symptoms do overlap and some are similar. I know that I have an extremely busy mind. It’s all I really the place. But it is typical of many autistic people. Same with executive function. I am brilliant at many things, but many I struggle with. 
    I would say you need to take things one step at a time. Get to know yourself. As you learn, you can start to manage yourself better. 
    CBT can be very helpful, but it depends on your willingness to want to change and learn, but also, you need the right therapist. I had CBT for social anxiety many years ago, and it was very helpful. I had CBT for lack of motivation after burnout a few years ago and it didn’t help at all, but then I tried intensive CBT and thankfully that did help and my therapist understood me. At this point I was awaiting my assessment, so he had that little but of insight, and tailored the treatment to me.

     An you change your working patterns? I work short shifts which is more bearable. I also get 3 full days off in a block which helps me recover. Still, I am job hunting right now. I am scared to try anything new, and I am starting to realise that I do have a lot to offer work wise. It’s just finding something that suits. You don’t have to start in a new job forever. You could leave the current one if you can’t make it work, and try something new. 

Reply

  • Some of the problems you describe might just be down to ASD. Symptoms do overlap and some are similar. I know that I have an extremely busy mind. It’s all I really the place. But it is typical of many autistic people. Same with executive function. I am brilliant at many things, but many I struggle with. 
    I would say you need to take things one step at a time. Get to know yourself. As you learn, you can start to manage yourself better. 
    CBT can be very helpful, but it depends on your willingness to want to change and learn, but also, you need the right therapist. I had CBT for social anxiety many years ago, and it was very helpful. I had CBT for lack of motivation after burnout a few years ago and it didn’t help at all, but then I tried intensive CBT and thankfully that did help and my therapist understood me. At this point I was awaiting my assessment, so he had that little but of insight, and tailored the treatment to me.

     An you change your working patterns? I work short shifts which is more bearable. I also get 3 full days off in a block which helps me recover. Still, I am job hunting right now. I am scared to try anything new, and I am starting to realise that I do have a lot to offer work wise. It’s just finding something that suits. You don’t have to start in a new job forever. You could leave the current one if you can’t make it work, and try something new. 

Children
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