Depression and Autism

Depression is a mental health problem that is common in Autistic people.

Depression can have a big impact on daily life and can lead to suicidal thoughts.

Battling depression….

“Is like having to play a game of Monopoly every day of your life, but the standard for everyone else when they roll the dice is that they get to move forward, but when I roll the dice, I have to move backward”

With this post I want to describe the ways in which I combatted and overcame my depression.

I am going to offer up some solutions to combating and working towards a healthier happier outlook for yourself:

1. Take a nap.
2. Listen to music.
3. Watch television.
4. Work on a personal project.
5. Socialise.
6. Walk or exercise.
7. For mental stimulation I highly recommend adult colouring books or solitaire.
8. Schedule activities and make short-term plans.
9. Keeping a diary or a journal.
10. Listen to a podcast. One I regulary listen to is this one theretrocinema.com
11. Sit outside in a quiet area of the garden and let the air enter your lungs, close your eyes and breathe.
12. Here’s a great meditation. So you sit up against a wall and close your eyes, you then imagine that you are a rock in a rock pool, as you hear the water coming down from then water fall, it comes towards you and washes over you. The water in this instance is your worries and stresses being washed away.
13. Keep in touch with friends. Alert them to what’s going on so that they can offer their support and if they offer you any type of advice or help take it.
14. Don’t be expected to be depression free overnight, look it’s going to take some time and you may end up seeing a therapist. Seeking professional help is a great step in confronting head on your depression and finding and working out solutions to equip yourself with the tools and knowledge so that you can tackle it head on.
15. Find an online support group. By locating one in your area, you can engage and find support with other Autistic people who are experiencing depression too. By joining one of these support groups you won’t feel so isolated and you’ll be able to get information on how they are coping and what they are doing to improve their mental health.

1. Find bloggers online who have written about their mental health struggles one I use is http://reflectionsfromaredhead.com/ on her website you’ll find that Janine shares her ‘journey’ with depression, anxiety, burn outs and recovery.

So my message is this.

I would suggest going to see your doctor if you feel that you are unable to cope, as they may be able to prescribe you some medication and your doctor can provide you with a mental health care plan whereby you are able to get 10 free counselling sessions (you get 5 first then you receive the other five after).

If you keep your depression to yourself then no one can help you.

Opening up is hard, I know. But once I admitted that I was depressed and I had that burden lifted and I felt a sense of ease and relief.

Carry on the Conversation

How do you cope with your depression? What works for you?

Let me know in the comments below.

As always, I can also be found on Twitter: @AutisticNick9 and at my email autisticnick9@gmail.com

If you like what you have seen on the site today, then show your support by liking the Autistic Nick https://www.facebook.com/autisticnick9/ Facebook page

Thank you for reading and I will see you next time for more thoughts from across the spectrum.