Brand New ASD Trying To Figure Out Life

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I've suspected for a very long time, but finally got my autism spectrum disorder diagnosis last week.

I also have been diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder for a few years.

Everything makes so much more sense now and I'm a lot more compassionate with myself. I used to hate myself for never being able to be understood, never fitting in, being socially isolated, being so "difficult" and "annoying" to NT people.

I've struggled with holding a job ever since graduating college. College was hell, but I successfully graduated magna cum laude. But working is a million times harder. I'd be able to work for awhile but the effort of masking and trying to keep up with everything with the intense sensory stress and social stress would make me eventually intensely burnt out, and then I'd have meltdowns, and then my mental health would take an enormous dive. I have been hospitalized for it. So I've steadily decreased my working until now I do some things at home for my husband's business and have just applied for disability to try to supplement.

I guess I'm just trying to figure out how to navigate myself and my life, and trying to let myself mask less, and get any information from anyone else who has had similar issues or also sought disability.

We're glad you're on board. Is it just your username or do you have a horse?

What you wrote sounds like positive improvements and we're glad you're taking it on yourself to share it with WP.

Welcome to Wrong Planet.

Welcome to Wrong Planet!

Your experiences are similar to a lot of us who were diagnosed as an adult. I could have a lot of your introduction about myself.

Even though it has not led to the career you have wanted up to this point congratulations on graduating magnum cum laude despite college being hell. You persevered to EARN that accomplishment.

I would advise patience. You went through decades with a basic misconception about who you are. You can not expect to figure it all out overnight. This process can be exhilarating , frustrating and confusing all at the same time. It is a matter of your autistic brain doing its thing to process the new information. You need to let it happen.

Welcome to Wrong Planet.