Autism and mental health

[Dobby_is_free2002]

Hi there.I have been diagnosed with autism nearly 2 years ago when I was 18. And for so long I have been struggling with my mental health. I don't know what to do to help myself. I'm really struggling. I'm working full time however I'm struggling with the changes which are happening there and it starts to impact me.

I'm not sure if I make sense.

[NotJim]

Hi Dobby_is_free2002 (Brilliant username by the way!)

I'm sorry to hear you're having a hard time with your mental health.

It can be exhausting, and a lot of work just getting through the day to day. It takes a lot of courage and strength to live with what you're working through, i'd say that makes you very brave. (Even if, at times, it might not always feel like it). I've known so many friends with mental health problems, and have had to deal with my own, and every day might feel like a battle. But it's so important to remember that you are so brave for dealing with this, and constantly pushing through. It's really remarkable. And won't always have to be like this. I've found mental health behaves like a wavy line - sometimes there are peaks when it's a really good day, and then sometimes there are dips when there are some really hard times. But it will evolve and grow, as you also grow, and you get to know your mind more and understand how you work and what works best for you as you take care of yourself.

I've found when it comes to dealing with mental health struggles, there are two ways that could help and you can use both: The first is talking about it (which you've already started by posting on here!) - it can feel daunting, but finding someone you trust and allowing yourself to share some of what's troubling you can be help relieve some of that weight you're carrying in your mind. I'm not saying it will solve everything right there and then, but getting what's on your mind into words can be very helpful, and be a first step to getting your headspace feeling better.

Counselling services are also really helpful. I've been in and out of counselling myself a lot over the years. A counsellor will work with you to help you find ways to deal with your struggles. Depending on where you're based (UK / USA / elsewhere), there are various services that might be able to support you, for example in the UK ieso counselling is free - iesohealth.com/

There's also a list of free services for folks in the USA about three quarters down this page verywellmind.com/best-onlin...

It could also be worth seeing if there is someone at your work who you could talk to, for example a manager or line manager. If you have concerns about your mental health/wellbeing or are struggling with some of the changes going on, it could be worth dropping an email or popping in for a chat with them to talk it through.

The other thing that could help is finding ways that help you to feel safe, and to take care of your headspace. Working full time when you have ASD can be a challenge; you have to act a certain way at work that you might not when you're at home, there are protocols, manners, and all sorts of people. So when you come home, it's really important to have a space where you can decompress - feel safe, secure and let your mind unwind.

It could be in your room, curled up with a blanket, having a warm bath, a hot drink, whatever little or big things that help you take care of yourself.

Another thing I find helpful is using my special interests (I was diagnosed with ASD in 2017), and I've got specific interests that I can hyperfixate on, that make me feel happier. And I wonder if there's anything, activities, hobbies, programs, subjects, that you really enjoy? Engaging in these, so long as you're safe, and also as long as it doesn't impact your sleep or eating (sometimes i've found I can hyperfixate a little too much, so it's important to get the balance right between what our brain loves and also what it needs; food and rest!), then that might also give your mind a happiness boost that could help how you're feeling.

I hope some of this can be helpful, and that you can feel better in yourself soon.

All the best

[Dobby_is_free2002 in reply to NotJim]

Thank you so much for your reply.

I have been to a few counselling services however each time I have a meltdown and I'm not able to go back. I prefer text messages format of counselling rather than face to face or over the phone.

[Bee-bop in reply to Dobby_is_free2002]

Hi there,There's Kooth online counselling for young people if that helps? I think that sometimes you have to find the right person for face to face. My youngest daughter had several CAMHS therapists and some weren't helpful at all. She's recently had needle phobia through the NHS IAPT service which was through teams where she wasn't on camera and I was in the room. First person was unhelpful and she had meltdowns each session so we asked for someone else who I can only say was amazing and really helped. Things is with meltdown is to see what the cause is as it's some kind of overload and seeing what is causing that wherever it is can help. With the first person, they wanted to work on anxiety as a whole but didn't get it was just needle phobia and my daughter felt bad when asked how she was going to go out alone, when right now she can't. It needs to be at your pace and that you feel heard, accepted and can trust the therapist for it to help.

Special interests as NotJim says can help bring your work life balance down to feeling more manageable. Also, there are laws in employment to have reasonable adjustments made and this can be lightning, sound even textures that can be changed if need be to help bring down any sensory overload occurring from your work environment. Even being able to have regular breaks can help.