After being diagnosed, what to do now? (Social Support)

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I'm 30 now with a diagnosis of manic depression and autism spectrum (aspergers). I got the bi-polar one a few years ago and have been on SSI for it and got the autism one a few months ago.

So now I get $698 a month plus food stamps and Medicaid, which is all great (especially the Medicaid because I had a bi-lateral neurapathy earlier this year and lost the use of my hands). But I feel like there has been no support socially.

It's almost like society is saying "ok, we feel bad you aren't like us and can't fit in, so we will pay for you to sit in a small apartment and watch tv by yourself until you die."

I'm betting there are support groups in many places, maybe bigger cities, but I have found nothing near me (45 min W of Charlotte). Church was a place I went to when I was young. At 17 I didn't know what was wrong and I mimicked people to try and fit in, but now I'm a ghost. And I have put a mental defense wall up against forming any new relationships, meeting new people, and even going into public places.

I talked to someone from high school yesterday and they have never heard of autism. Seems there is little awareness, must be since I didn't find out until I was 30.

Are there any options really like government programs or independent autism societies that can give some sort of help?

I'm scared to death of people and I'm scared to be alone. Rock and a hard place.

(On Seroquel/Zoloft, still pretty depressed daily, much of it situational though I guess. But who can be happy in a world like this?)

Your situation sounds like one Id be depressed about too, if thats any consolation (I understand if its not).

The only thing I can offer with that rock and that hard place is to pick one and start chiseling.... Change will only occur when you affect it... and Rocks are alot harder to chisel through then hard places, let me tell ya (Hard places usually aren't as hard as they might seem at first too, from my experience)....

but try this as a start:
http://autism.meetup.com/cities/us/nc/charlotte/

Try inputing your city instead of Charlotte. Try googling "Support Group <My City name here>". Help, support, attention, won't just fall into your lap, no matter how long you wait for it..... Find some places, maybe start by Calling, Emailing, Instant Messaging, or Txting/SMSing..... There are all kinds of options.....

Something else you can try to, 'reintroduce' yourself to society, is just going somewhere public for a certain amount of time (Its entirely ok to leave at any time if you get overwhelmed). Parks, Libraries, etc etc are all good places to start. Restaurants are good too but I understand if money is an issue.

Good Luck,
Aldran

thanks for the advice, I appreciate it

I googled a lot and there really isn't any support groups near my town. There is one about 75 miles away but it's for parents with autistic kids (which seems like the only type of autism most people are aware of).

I'm in a small town without any places really to go to other than fast food places. There is a small library I think, I would feel weird sitting in there alone and even if someone talked to me I would freeze up and be awkward.

I was thinking about what you said about chiseling the hard place and it reminded me of that 127 Hours Movie. Maybe when you keep chiseling and get nowhere just cut your arm off! (not literally )

Could you find out if there is an autism society in your country and ask them to advise or help you to set up your own Asperger's support group?

What about joining a class for something you are really interested in (even better if it's a special interest) and you might get talking to other class members?

If you are single, what about joining an online dating agency and stating up front that you have AS so that people will know what to expect from meeting you?

thanks, those are some good ideas. I'm not sure about trying to date. I haven't dated in 12 years, and the few "relationships" weren't intimate and didn't last long (I didn't know I was AS at the time and it was just so awkward). So now I'm scared. I'm scared of non-intimate people, so dating is even more terrifying.

Lol - 30 year old Christian virgin male with autism seeks Christian female who would be something special to be able to fit into my life for a long period of time.

lol crap now I'm sad again, I'm going to watch puppies on youtube real quick...

Why are you scared to be alone?

Find out of Medicaid covers mental health...they might have some group therapy geared towards improving your social skills.

Also, don't be afraid to ask your doctor to change up your medication if it's not working.

Good question on loneliness I sent you a PM. Maybe that's something I need to accept and be content with.

And last post - Yes I've been in Dr's offices weekly for almost a year so I go through quite a few med changes. Seroquel works well. The zoloft not so sure, might ask to change to something non-ssri like effexor. I'm not sure what medicaid would offer other than paying medical bills, I'll check on that. I talked to social security and they said I was being covered at the highest level.