How To Take Care Of Your Mental Health As An Autistic Person

Photo by Nik Shuliahin on Unsplash

According to a study from the Mental Health Association, “seven out of ten autistic people have a mental health condition” of some description. There are many different potential reasons for this.

For example, we live in a world that is designed to cater to neurotypical individuals, which means that people with autism and related disorders encounter more challenges in their day-to-day lives, both personally and professionally. Furthermore, despite the obvious fact that people with autism should be accepted and respected, they’re more likely to have to deal with stigma and discrimination.

With that in mind, here are some methods that you may find useful when it comes to taking care of your mental health as an autistic person.

Advocate for yourself. Speaking up is hard, but being able to advocate for yourself is often key to improving your mental health and wellness. This is because you’ll be able to effectively remove yourself from situations that you find unpleasant or distance yourself from those who do not treat you well.

It also means that you’ll feel more confident when seeking out help from doctors or other health professionals, as you’ll be able to ensure your worries or concerns are not dismissed or waved away. This is particularly important when you consider the fact that the mental health needs of neurodiverse individuals are often dismissed because mental health conditions may present themselves in slightly different ways in individuals with autism. That is part of the reason why post-traumatic stress disorder criterion must be expanded to better treat autistic people.

Consider therapy. Everyone can benefit from therapy in one way or another. After all, it provides you with a safe space to talk openly and honestly about how you are feeling, which can lift a considerable weight off your shoulders. In addition to this, therapeutic practices help us to develop a range of coping mechanisms that we can use whenever we’re feeling down moving forward.

Furthermore, it is important to remember that there are plenty of different types of therapy to choose from, depending on the challenges you may be facing. For example, EMDR therapy is often used in the treatment of PTSD due to the fact that it is designed to help participants access, process and move on from trauma they have endured in their lives.

Spend time doing what you love. One of the easiest ways to take care of your mental health is to ensure that you’re keeping up with your hobbies and interests. This is because doing so is an act of self-care that provides you with a break from the stress and chaos of everyday life. It can also provide you with the opportunity to build stronger social connections with individuals who share your interests, leading to long-lasting friendships that are similarly good for your mental health.

This means that no matter how busy you are, you should always make time for yourself. Even as little as ten minutes a day can make a real difference, and your mental health and wellbeing depend on it.