Family

Post Reply New Topic

I recently got my diagnosis and since then I've been able to tie in a lot of my habits growing up and my currents habits, to said diagnosis. For me this was a big deal as I had always been very self hating due to my noticeable eccentricities, social failings and so on. So, knowing that it was a genetic condition has relieved me somewhat.

Sitting in the living room with my family, I happened to mention how one of my habits was linked to the diagnosis and therefore was not much I could do about it at this time. Now, this was a habit that has existed for some time, that everyone is aware of.

Despite this, the response I got was, basically along the lines of, their being sick of hearing about it and how I was simply using the diagnosis as an excuse.

Has anyone else encountered this? My family has generally been supportive, so I don't want to make them seem horrid, but this one event has gotten to me.

They may need some time to adjust to the reality of your diagnosis, and also more education as to exactly what your diagnosis means. They may be experiencing a sort of "mourning period" over the idea that your eccentricities were something that you would grow out of, or that they could fix. Hopefully, with more education, or maybe some time speaking with a professional whose care you are in (doctor, therapist, psychologist) they will be better able to come to terms (and be happy with!) the person that you are.

Mike, the way I see things, AS does impose certain limitations on us, with some of those limitations being insurmountable. On the other hand, this fact in no way absolves us of the duty to do the very best we can. So, if you're doing your best to deal with your difficulties, then I wouldn't worry about it.

Cheers guys, I did wonder if they disliked the fact that a lot of what they knew about me, was just acting.

I make an active attempt to push these limitations to their lowest influence.

They may dislike it, but, something I'm realizing myself lately, that's not something that you can fix (their dislike of parts of you.) Yes, it's good and necessary to work on things that are counterproductive to life and happiness. (Unhealthy habits, for example.) But, it is not necessary to continue an act, just because that is what people are used to. It seems like that would be a recipe for lifetime misery and a loss of a sense of self. I hope, for your sake, that they will with time adjust to "you" without the acting, as long as they know that, when it comes to things that you CAN help, you are doing your very best. (Hoping the same for myself, in my life!)