Hello,
I am a 61 year old woman who just recently figured out I may be high-masking Autistic. A year ago I started reading things online that led me to start considering the possibility and then I discovered fidget toys and jewelry which helped a lot. I used to chew on my nails since a child, and the last few years started skin picking until I bled. Having the fidget toys really helps that. I guess I really enjoy stimming.
A few months ago I started therapy. My psychologist did two different tests with me and both results point to possible Autism. I got an 18 out of 50 on the empathy test. The Autism test I scored 33, and anything over 26 is considered on the spectrum I understand. She said I definitely have Autistic traits, but would need to see me more to verify. Meanwhile I moved and started seeing somebody else instead. I have always been an introvert and dislike crowded places. But I have always been in relationship and also always had one best friend.
Life is challenging for me right now. My husband and I had Covid very badly a few months ago and he now has Long Covid. A mental health crisis happened from this, and he started panic-attacking multiple times daily. I tried to get help for him but he was resistant to both therapy or pills. In June he almost tried suicide but then asked for help instead. We first got him to the ER and he ended up 2 weeks in the mental hospital.
He has been home for 3 weeks after getting out, and is on psych meds now. I am thankful he is going to all his appointments and mostly cooperating. But I am really struggling trying to deal with him. He is panicking less but is still doing it some. I don’t enjoy strong emotions and am feeling close to the breaking point myself now. I like things to be logical. I keep trying to argue sense into my husband when he gets so scared of normal things, but of course it never works. He just keeps spiraling. I need to learn to be more empathetic and to listen better. I found out the best way to deal with the mentally ill is to listen and respect them. I tried a family support group with NAMI (National Alliance for the Mentally Ill).
I have anxiety disorder too, by the way. But am a very functional person.
Looking forward to reading the posts here.
I am a 61 year old woman who just recently figured out I may be high-masking Autistic. A year ago I started reading things online that led me to start considering the possibility and then I discovered fidget toys and jewelry which helped a lot. I used to chew on my nails since a child, and the last few years started skin picking until I bled. Having the fidget toys really helps that. I guess I really enjoy stimming.
A few months ago I started therapy. My psychologist did two different tests with me and both results point to possible Autism. I got an 18 out of 50 on the empathy test. The Autism test I scored 33, and anything over 26 is considered on the spectrum I understand. She said I definitely have Autistic traits, but would need to see me more to verify. Meanwhile I moved and started seeing somebody else instead. I have always been an introvert and dislike crowded places. But I have always been in relationship and also always had one best friend.
Life is challenging for me right now. My husband and I had Covid very badly a few months ago and he now has Long Covid. A mental health crisis happened from this, and he started panic-attacking multiple times daily. I tried to get help for him but he was resistant to both therapy or pills. In June he almost tried suicide but then asked for help instead. We first got him to the ER and he ended up 2 weeks in the mental hospital.
He has been home for 3 weeks after getting out, and is on psych meds now. I am thankful he is going to all his appointments and mostly cooperating. But I am really struggling trying to deal with him. He is panicking less but is still doing it some. I don’t enjoy strong emotions and am feeling close to the breaking point myself now. I like things to be logical. I keep trying to argue sense into my husband when he gets so scared of normal things, but of course it never works. He just keeps spiraling. I need to learn to be more empathetic and to listen better. I found out the best way to deal with the mentally ill is to listen and respect them. I tried a family support group with NAMI (National Alliance for the Mentally Ill).
I have anxiety disorder too, by the way. But am a very functional person.
Looking forward to reading the posts here.
