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Hello, here to learn and understand

they_call_me_carl

Hello,

I thought I'd join up as I've been dealing with mental health stuff my whole life, I'm now 47 and only now going through the ASD diagnosis system. I've always felt assamed of my mental health problems and have kept it to myself until recently.

I'm here to learn more and find additional resources and hopefully a better understanding on how to manage.

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Hannah_Alumni

Hello @they_call_me_carl

Welcome to the community!

I hope your ASD assessments go well!

We have many members in the community who have felt ashamed of their mental health and you have no need to. We are here to support you as much as we can

Have you ever reached out to a mental health organisation? If so, how did you get on and feel about it all?

they_call_me_carl

Hannah_Scope said:

Hello @they_call_me_carl

Welcome to the community! I hope your ASD assessments go well!

We have many members in the community who have felt ashamed of their mental health and you have no need to. We are here to support you as much as we can Have you ever reached out to a mental health organisation? If so, how did you get on and feel about it all?

Hey Hannah,

I haven't reached out to anyone other than my doctor, it's proving slow progress. I had an ASD assessment last week and the guy said I scored high (46/50), but needs to verify by interviewing someone I know. This is where my first problem arises as I don't like people generally and I'm more than happy to keep myself to myself. I'm not sure who to ask as I don't have friends that know me well. The assessment guy said they need to interview a third party before they can complete the assessment. I'm not in any contact with my family and not even sure they are still alive, so I can't ask them.

I have always been reluctant to get help, I have problems being unable to describe how I'm feeling and struggle to communicate... My mind goes blank however my mind is constantly busy and it's soooo exhausting.

I'm not even sure how getting a diagnosis is even going to help.

Hannah_Alumni

@they_call_me_carl I'm glad you got through the assessment! As for a third party, maybe friends who don't know you that well would actually further reiterate the assessment of ASD? If you don't want to ask them, do you have someone like a work coach? someone you work with that's made adjustments? or even someone you may regularly see like the local shop assistant?

I know it can be difficult to ask for help, but this could. With your mental health, if you are diagnosed as having Autism, there could be different techniques used to help. They will be able to signpost you to additional support and resources too.

Chloe_Alumni

Welcome to the community @they_call_me_carl. Thank you for taking the time to share this with us. It sounds like things have been pretty stressful.

My brother has Autism and before any appointment he finds it helpful to write things down.

You also might find the National Autistic Society has some helpful information. They also have a section spefifically for mental health and autism.