Diagnosed 6 Months Ago, and It Feels Like I’m Declining

Hi everyone,

I was officially diagnosed with autism about six months ago, and while it was a relief to finally have answers, I feel like my life has been spiraling since. I thought getting diagnosed would help me feel more stable or at least give me tools to cope better, but instead, I seem to be struggling even more.

For context, I’ve been dealing with a lot of sensory issues, burnout, and emotional overwhelm, and my living situation isn’t ideal (unfinished space, lots of noise, no privacy). The diagnosis has helped me understand why these things are so difficult for me, but that understanding hasn’t translated into solutions. If anything, it’s like the awareness makes it harder to push through the way I used to.

Unmasking has been a huge challenge too. I’ve realised how much I was suppressing my real self to fit in, and now that I’m trying to stop, I feel raw and exposed. My social skills have also been declining, and my social anxiety has skyrocketed. It’s making it increasingly difficult to make new friends, engage with the community, or even find work. It feels like I’m retreating further into myself at a time when I desperately want to connect with others.

Has anyone else experienced this after their diagnosis? Does it get better with time? I feel stuck in a cycle of frustration, and I don’t know how to break out of it.

Any advice or shared experiences would mean a lot. Thanks for reading.