topic Depressive Autistic re-adjusting in Depression

Depressive Autistic re-adjusting

Black_Kat — Tue, 31 Mar 2020 04:54:49 GMT

I have recently had to completely change my habits. My Dad (bless his heart) was diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease. So I am having to get used to being on my own again and meeting new people in the form of support networks. But the depression side and autistic side is struggling.

Thank you for hearing me out.

Depressive Autistic re-adjusting

wannabe_alpha — Thu, 02 Apr 2020 01:04:38 GMT

Hello,

I know this can be hard. Just be positive, calm and maintain equanimity, and take care of your dad. And last but not the least, ENJOY your life!

Depressive Autistic re-adjusting

alasdayr — Thu, 02 Apr 2020 02:07:12 GMT

Black Kat,

For those on the autism spectrum, change in routine and social settings are often a struggle.

However, most I know on the autism spectrum that are able to function in society are very bright, know what is going on and can find methods to cope with these in short bursts.

Look after your dad as much as you can, but also look after you. Make sure you have your ordered space and some core routines to fall back into to recharge.

I hope you have a trusted friends network or techniques you have learned to assist on the depressive side. They can help pull you out of a slump.

Please take care Black Kat. Do not hesitate to reach out if things are starting to get too much.

Alasdayr.

Depressive Autistic re-adjusting

Black_Kat — Thu, 02 Apr 2020 08:52:10 GMT

thank you for your replies. I do have coping strategies in place like sitting in the sun meditating and computer gaming. Just needed to feel like I was saying it as well.

Depressive Autistic re-adjusting

alasdayr — Thu, 02 Apr 2020 10:37:21 GMT

Black Kat,

Good to know. I also use computer gaming as a self regulation technique at times.

Stay safe in these tough, uncertain, times.

Sounds like you know what helps you most. Continue to reach out if these stop being as effective for you.

Alasdayr.

Depressive Autistic re-adjusting

Black_Kat — Sun, 05 Apr 2020 23:28:04 GMT

ok, so now my video games don't seem to be helping as much and I feel like I have done something wrong. I also am sleeping a lot and crying a lot.

Depressive Autistic re-adjusting

alasdayr — Mon, 06 Apr 2020 00:59:07 GMT

Black Kat,

Would you describe that you are losing interest in most things? Activities that used to be pleasurable no longer seem to be. This is a classic symptom of depression (anhedonia). This is from current personal experience.

Sleeping a lot is also a normal symptom of depression (so is deep sadness and crying spells for no apparent reason).

The situation with your dad is putting extra pressure on you too. With caring for others, it is important to also take care of yourself.

All these indicate that professional help is required. Getting a MHCP (mental health care plan) from your doctor is a good first start. Talk to you doctor, explain what you are feeling, they can help set you on a path to feeling less overwhelmed, confused and/or out of touch.

If you are in a location that you can take advantage of the Beyond Blue NewAccess, I'd highly encourage you to do that.

With the anhedonia, what helps me is to do activities in short bursts (no more than 30 minutes). Most days you feel nothing, some days you feel a little. However this is also 30 minutes where everything seems less bad than while not engaged (and THAT is the purpose - it's a kind of timeout).

The goal at this stage is to give you a break from concern, not elevate you to happy. When experiencing anhedonia, the old pleasures in activities that used to make you happy seem an illusion.

I also have occasional emotional dis-regulation. I will feel overwhelmed for no discernible reason. I find this really confusing and disturbing as I am usually in very tight control of my emotions. I feel sure you know what this is like.

You are always free to talk here. People listen. People who have are going through, or have been through what you are going through. Letting things go does help. Knowing you are not alone, does help.

Alasdayr.

Depressive Autistic re-adjusting

Black_Kat — Mon, 06 Apr 2020 12:14:17 GMT

I do see a really good psychiatrist regularly. Going through the motions of finding a psychologist that clicks with me. Sorry for the delay I fell asleep for the longest time which actually helped. I do lose interest, usually until I have slept, then my interest in usual activities comes back.

My sister and I are setting into motion something like new access with NDIS.

Thank you.

Depressive Autistic re-adjusting

alasdayr — Mon, 06 Apr 2020 14:49:21 GMT

Black Kat,

I wish you all the success in finding a psychologist right for you. Glad too that you have good psychiatrist.

Keep pushing forward with your sister to get you what you need. You sound mostly on top of this, which is great.

Alasdayr

Depressive Autistic re-adjusting

LiveSadPandas — Thu, 09 Apr 2020 18:33:22 GMT

Change isn't a great feeling in Depressed Autistic land. I live there too.

Good meds help. I've got friends with diabetes and their experience is that they need their meds to live. We can accept this for depression with autism too.

If your go-to is computer games and they're not working for you, what works for me a bit is putting music I like on shuffle play. It's familiar but still a little bit unexpected... not too much. I use it on top of other things I like.

You might need to use headphones/buds with that depending on your circumstances.

Some free white noise apps can play stuff like waves on a beach or a wooden ship rocking on the water.

It's oddly soothing.

It's okay to not want to do anything at all and sleep it off. You're tired on the inside. Happens to me too.

Recognise it and sleep. You feel better afterwards.

Depressive Autistic re-adjusting

Black_Kat — Sun, 12 Apr 2020 02:46:13 GMT

Ok so I am putting myself through a sugar detox as I got severly addicted to energy drinks and coke but I am now following a plan. I am currently concentrating on nutrition, gaming, music, Netflix and sleep to help me through. Along with meditation in the winter sun. Also to help me with my loneliness I remind myself that living alone means I can do what I want without offending anyone. Like play music and dance naked if I wanted to.

I know this is not about depression or asking for help, but I felt I should keep people that care informed.

Thank you.

Depressive Autistic re-adjusting

alasdayr — Sun, 12 Apr 2020 04:32:54 GMT

Black Kat,

Happy to have your thoughts posted, even if you feel they are off topic.

Sugar detox is a good thing. You will find your taste sensitivity to sweet will increase. You may feel down a little for a few days, but tough it out. It is worth it. Just don't be hard on yourself if you slip up occasionally. It takes time to get this right.

Your plans for to get through the current situation sound good.

As you showed, being alone does not mean loneliness. You do not need people permission, acceptance or judgement in doing what you want. Many of life's pleasures are experienced alone (like dancing naked if you feel like it).

By the way, I do not think your post was off topic. It shares your plan to cope with what is going on, and thereby relevant.

All the best for a successful detox and freedom to act as you choose independent of others.

Alasdayr

Depressive Autistic re-adjusting

Black_Kat — Tue, 14 Apr 2020 15:53:45 GMT

Ok, there have been a few bumps in the road with depression and withdrawals from sugar detox. However, fresh fruit like plums and apples and sleep seem to help keep me sane enough at the moment. The Plums and apples were recommended by my 10 step plan. I am having trouble keeping my place as clean as I like it, but that is what I have a cleaner from NDIS for. Just like to make sure I don't have anything lying about that could make one sick or look like a pigs sty. Apart from the usual of missing family and really wanting to have a cup of tea with them everything is pretty good, despite sugar detox.

Thank you.