My OCD Story
When my OCD first arrived, it tricked me into believing that it was my friend. It told me that if I did certain things then I didn’t need to worry about the anxious thoughts which had been ruling my head since early 2015. Finally, I thought, this was a way to control my panic attacks.
Visible Autistic Traits That I Had as a Child
It wasn’t obvious that I was autistic when I was a child. As a result, I wasn’t diagnosed until I was 16, after years of severe mental health problems.
Here are some of the signs of me being autistic which may have been somewhat visible to others:
Why Phone Calls Can be Incredibly Difficult for Autistic People and People with Anxiety
The sound of the phone ringing can immediately evoke anxiety for some people, especially for autistic people and people with anxiety. If the call hasn’t been agreed in advance, many of us find ourselves simply unable to answer it and let it go to voicemail. Why is this?
Less Spoken About Autistic Traits
Some autism traits are spoken about a lot. Others, not so much, even though they still affect our daily lives. So, what are some of these less spoken about autistic traits?
Face blindness. This is where somebody struggles to recognise other people’s faces.
My Journey Of How I Found Out That I Am Autistic
I was diagnosed with autism when I was 16, after years of struggling with my mental health and finding myself sectioned on a CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services) unit.
One evening when I was on home leave from the ward, I sat my parents down at the kitchen table and…
Talking To Your Child About Self-Harm - From Both a Parent and Child's Point of View
I know that talking to your child about self-harm can be exceptionally daunting. You and your child are probably both experiencing a lot of difficult emotions, and it can be hard to know how to deal with it. I hope that my Mum and I can offer some words of advice and comfort for you.
Reasonable Adjustments in Schools for Autistic Students and Students with Anxiety
Schools have a duty under the Equality Act to make reasonable adjustments for students who otherwise are at an unfair disadvantage to their peers due to a disability or mental health condition. It is important to note that students do not need an official diagnosis in order for these to be put in place. A needs-based…
Back To School Advice for Autistic Students
Dear Autistic Students,
Going back to school after the holidays can be very overwhelming and daunting, let alone going back to school after the events of this year. So firstly let me tell you that no-one is expecting you to find it easy.
Autism and Borderline/Emotionally Unstable Personality Disorder - Overlaps and Misdiagnosis
From my own experience of being diagnosed with both Autism and Emotionally Unstable Personality Disorder, and from many conversations with others in similar positions, I often question the validity and reliability of diagnoses when it comes to Autism and Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)…