Depressed.

[Steel Maiden]

I have become depressed. As you know I am not able to leave the house on my own due to autism issues. I am naturally an active person, so being stuck at home for 5-6 days a week is really upsetting.

My care coordinator and NAS support workers are in the process of trying to sort me out with council-funded support, but it is slow (as is expected).

My local council said their sensory team cannot support me as they only deal with sensory impairments and not hypersensitivities. They are trying to find out if any charitable organisations can support me through council funding. But that is slow too.

I am also very low on money due to NAS bills. My dad begrudgingly said he would do a standing order into my bank account, which makes me feel useless and guilty. I should be out there earning money. F***ing autism.

Can anyone suggest ways I can lift my mood while being stuck at home? I've been trying to do exercise at home but it's not the same as going out for a long walk or taking a train to the countryside (which I need my support workers to help me with, otherwise I can't do it).

Sorry if I am miserable in my language but I am feeling very low right now. Approaching a meltdown I think.

[Steel Maiden]

Hi Oly,
That sounds really hard and stressful. I can kind of relate with the money issues, because I get the same thing from my mother right now.

With regards to being stuck at home, I wonder if perhaps during a quiet time of day (whatever time that might be in your neighborhood) you might be able to open a window or two for a bit? It could get you some fresh air and sunlight at least, without having to leave your house.

You might already do this, but I know many people find sticking to a routine helpful. So like getting up and going to sleep at the same time every day, meals at the same time, and so on.

Are you on break from uni at the moment? Could you maybe look over some of the information from your favorite courses for fun, or get a new textbook and work on learning some of that information?


Hi. Thanks this is really useful.

I'll open my windows in the mornings and I could go into my back garden for a bit before people start making noise.

I do keep to a routine mostly in regards to getting up and going to bed, and eating. But I think I need more routine.

I've considered teaching myself further maths A-Level so that I can insert myself into the exam next year so that I can get a fifth A-Level. I love maths so that would help.

I am on the awful summer holidays now. I've hated summer holidays since I was in primary school.

New textbooks are good. I found Abe Books online which sell second-hand textbooks. I bought a couple of textbooks there to test it out. If it goes well I will be using it more (I am a fast reader - I finished a toxicology textbook in four days recently) as the books are seriously cheap.

My care coordinator said that my direct payments stand more of a chance than originally thought; the manager accepted the form and now it's at the budgets department. Also the council are looking at getting me support from local charities for people with sensory problems.

I will go on my rowing machine this afternoon. I'll try 25 minutes this time.