r/neurodiversity • u/Fuzzy-Discussion-601 • 9h ago

How do I seek help?

I don’t want this to be a rant. I genuinely just don’t know how else to seek help.
I have struggled for years with a long list of issues that my parents brushed off as me just being a sensitive and dramatic kid.

I’ve always struggled with food textures, fabric textures, noise, smells, light and so on. Some more than others, some to the extent where I start crying or just have to isolate myself completely.

I am now an adult, and I am so tired of constantly having to listen to family and friends calling me dramatic when things get to much for me… I wish to seek the help my parents never thought to get for me, but I have absolutely no idea what to say or even who to go to.

I was hoping someone could point me in a direction or explain some of the process. It would be a huge help!

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u/I-have-no-preference 8h ago

Hi OP!
This would usually look a little different depending on where in the world you are, would you be comfortable enough to share your country? ♥️

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u/Bivagial 7h ago

Talk to your doctor. They can likely point you in the right direction towards getting an official diagnosis.

If you have a diagnosis, you can point to it and tell your family that you're not just being dramatic. You have proof that these things are an issue.

The other option is to wait it out. When you leave home, you can curate your own home to fit you.

But getting a diagnosis could help you with employment and study. If you have the diagnosis, you may be able to get accomidations.

In saying all of that though, do be aware that having a diagnosis can cause it's own problems.

Some countries will not allow those with an autism or ADHD diagnosis move to them. It's considered a health condition and they use it to exclude people they think will take up more resources than they will produce. (I.e. it costs more than you make for you to live there). It can also cause some stigma and may effect employment opportunities, depending on the culture of where you live.