- The Student Room

I don’t know how old you but as someone who is likely a bit older than you who was also not suspected of having ASD until adulthood, I agree that being diagnosed as an adult is hard. On one hand, having a label explains a lot but on the other, no one gives you any tools to navigate your difficulties which, perhaps, they might have done if you were diagnosed in childhood. It’s rubbish, isn't it?

Reading what you’ve written, I actually think you have a lot more going for you than you give yourself credit for. You have hobbies and interests (you’d be surprised at home many people just come home after work and watch TV or TickTock), you volunteer (again, loads of people with the time to do this don’t), you are dealing with your mental health issues instead of ignoring them (I look up to you for this - it took being nearly dead for me to ask for help). So you are doing loads of things right already! Don’t beat yourself up for needing meds and therapy - if you need them, you need them; it's not your fault you were born with a different brain that society doesn’t accommodate, is it? I bet you wouldn’t look down on a diabetic for needing insulin because their pancreas doesn’t work, right? You needing help for your issues is no different.

Regarding socialising, tbh thats something even neurotypical people find hard. Are you at uni, or in a position to join any classes or groups where you could meet people you share interests with? Have you looked into support groups for ASD or mental health in your local area? Those might be good ways of meeting people.

Regarding not being able to draw or write well - honestly, that's somehting very few adults do so it’s not something to worry about or something anyone is going to judge you for. And if you enjoy doing them but aren’t as good as you like - who cares? Do it if it brings you joy. Loads of adults partake in hobbies purely for the fun of it.

Honestly, it sounds like you are doing grand given that you are having such a tough time with things. You culd be spending your days in bed hiding away from the world but you are not, and that deserves respect! If you have any specific goals that you want to work towards, it might be worth sharing them here so people can give you more specific advice?

Best of luck to you and I promise you that you are doing a lot better that you think you are doing :smile: