Worried about my mental health

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Does anyone worry about mental health breakdown?

I am awaiting my diagnosis and I'm thinking what if they say I'm not autistic? I meet all the criteria from DSM 5 but somehow I have the ability to appear normal and sociable, at least for those who don't spend much time with me.

I am very intelligent but I can't focus when something is going on around me, if someone is moving papers on the desk in the other end of the room, for me it's noise, I can't focus. I didn't know it may be anything to do with sensory sensitivity and some times ago I decided I need to avoid jobs that require too much thinking, so I am now in a field that requires not too much thinking and a lot of human contact. Btw it's also noisy. For a year now I feel like I'm on edge of mental health breakdown. Before I realized I may have autism that was called: you're just a bit lonely, you need to go out and meet some people

My dad was diagnosed bipolar when he was 50 and he was on disability benefit since then, but now I think he was autistic, although like me he seemed sociable when someone just met him.

I'm tired of trying to be like other people, and it's not even working long term. But it does for short term. What if that's not enought to label me as autistic? I will surely end up in mental hospital.

I was worried about the same thing as you, but I did get diagnosed in the end. The only problem is having to live with a label, and it might make the situation worse for a while, particularly if you are struggling with depression or anything like that. You don,t say whether you have another mental health diagnosis.

If you think you are likely to be autistic, there is a fair chance you are,


good luck

Cheers

No, I don't meet criteria for anything, I'm just a bit lonely, not assertive enough and need to learn to cope with stress, that's what professionals used to say. Oversensitivity to noise was for them inability to cope with stress but as I am somehow managing, and don't insists on diagnosis (my dad had one and it really didn't help) it probably looks like I'm doing fine, when I'm not.

Did they say if you were possibly on the BAP? A person with some autistic traits but not enough to be considered autistic? You could take the RAADS-R to see where you fall. If it's close but no cigar to autism that would qualify for BAP.

I think something similar might be true for people with bipolar parents. Both of my parents are/were bipolar (my dad is deceased), but I am not. But I had some terrible temper tantrums when I was a kid and even now, the rare times I get mad, I literally see red I'm so mad. There are other things too, but I've gotten myself checked out and I definitely do not have any form of bipolar disorder. Or autism, and my brother is autistic.

Even if you don't have a "disorder" it may be worth doing some reading to better understand the things that you've been suspicious of in the first place, like concentration. Maybe you think in a particular way or relax in a particular way. Understanding it a little more might help you optimize your comfort.

I meant I do not meet diagnostic criteria for anything except autism :-/

My question to you is, do you have a professional who can help you overcome these worries that you are having? I just got over a mental breakdown last month and am currently in the process of healing....It looks to me like you are on your own. DO you have friends that you can hang out with? Try going to a church activity......Based on what I've read you are like me, you need help and you need it right NOW!

Are you in danger of losing your job at this point if you have one?

I don't have friends and anyway hanging out with people makes me tired :-/

There is a slight possibility that I may lose my job but that would be a relief as I could then go on benefits and if I leave myself I can't this is the worst workplace that I ever had people wise and I am too tired to even look for anything else.

Thank you for sharing, hope you getting better, did the breakdown had anything to do with asperger if you don't mind me asking?

YES IT DID!! I needed more coaching and more skills to help achieve the next level in professional and personal life. I have them coming now. I'll tell you what it was just in the nick of time!! !! ! My ass is still on the chopping block at that job I'm in.

I'll say this. Where I'm working now wasn't a bad job at all starting out. But the problem was after I graduated I did not know my own ability to survive and function in the modern world. I mean, I knew I needed help but I was turning to all the wrong places. Well one turned out pretty good because I got computer skill training. But it wasn't until late November of last year that I called the Autism Society in my city and they recommended a man by the name of blah blah blah. I contacted him and it turns out he had worked with my Accommodation Coordinator at U.C. for 10 years.


So the moral of the story is this: If you were receiving services before and you did well with those services the next logical solution would be to stay close to that person with whom you built that working relationship with. They will know who you need to turn to for the next stage.

I'm absolutely serious, call the local Autism Support Network in your area and tell them your situation. Do it right f*&^%)ng NOW!! ! You will likely meet someone who can save your ass from the fire!! !!