How Autism Affects Mental Health | AUTISM IN GIRLS

This video is sponsored by BetterHelp.

In this week's video, I talk about all things Autism and Mental Health. I discuss the differences between Mental Disorders (like anxiety and depression) and Developmental Disorders (like Autism), how Autism and mental illness are often comorbid, the mental health issues I deal with, and my thoughts on seeking help from a therapist.

Even though this video is sponsored, these thoughts are my own. Even if this video was not sponsored, I would be giving going to therapy a glowing review (I already had a video about this planned before it was sponsored). I LOVE therapy. I have gone to therapy for over a decade, starting at the age of 13. I have always found it helpful and enjoyable. I highly recommend it to anyone struggling, whether your Autistic or not.

I'd also like to emphasize that seeking help from a professional is NOT in anyway bad. It does not make you weak, less of a human, or any other negative connotation that often goes along with seeing a therapist. In fact, acknowledging that you need help and wanting to work on yourself makes you BRAVE and STRONG!

#ActuallyAutistic

Autism - Autistic - ASD - Autism Spectrum Disorder - Aspergers - Autistic Adult - Autistic Female - Autistic Girl - Autistic Woman - Autism in Girls - Girl Autistic Traits - Female Autism Traits - ADHD - Anxiety - Depression - PTSD - Mental Health - Mental Health Awareness - Mental Illnesses - Mental Disorders - Developmental Disorders - Actually Autistic

[michellee]

So much respect for you just being yourself on camera. You don’t need getting dolled up. You’re perfectly beautiful being you. I’m 50 but want to be you when I grow up! Keep it up! You motivate me.💜

[jonaswagner]

1. Baseball cap aesthetic is cool! Comfy clothes ftw.
2. Just a simple correction: ADHD is actually also a developmental disorder (along with things like epilepsy or terrets). Personally I see it all as a part of the natural spectrum of Nuerodiversity.
3. How is therapy still a taboo topic? Isn't it really common now for every organization ever to promote mental health and make it not uncommon anymore.
4. Phone calls are the worst!

[whitneymason]

Awesome video! Thank you for sharing! I've been going to a therapist since I was in 8th grade. I've been diagnosed with depression, PTSD, OCD, and anxiety. I always thought I was such a basket case and didn't know why I was so broken. My son was diagnosed with autism 2 years ago and as I learned more about autism I realized I may be on the spectrum myself. I'm in the process of getting my diagnosis. Therapy has helped me change the voice in my head from a negative one to a positive one, highly recommend!

[angsfeatheredfriends]

I was lucky enough to be diagnosed by an autism specialist, who also does therapy (and had space). Been talking to him for over a year now. I still feel lost all of the time, but at least someone is listening now. He also does video therapy so I never have to go in :D

I have shit for memory, my therapist wants me to write a few things down a day. I did it for a week it was pretty interesting. My executive function sucks. So I only did it the once, I know I should do it more. Wish I knew why I cant.

I also have depression, anxiety and PTSD. My therapist is the only person I've opened up to about things in my past I cant tell anyone else. Some that relate to ASD issues as kid, and never having a diagnoses till late in life. So I was treated wrong, very very very wrong.

A year later, I still am not sure about ASD. I understand everything it is, and that I am. I just don't know where to go from here. I was diagnosed at 37 btw.

[siennaprice]

I’m on the autism spectrum, and I also have complex PTSD. And I have a physical disability. I absolutely hate CPTSD. It can get in the way. My CPTSD wasn’t caused by autism or the physical disability. I won’t go too much into details. But I’ll just say that I wasn’t treated right for almost a decade. I have 0 tolerance, 0 patience, and absolutely 0 respect for CPTSD. I don’t disrespect anyone with PTSD/CPTSD. I just have 0 respect for the condition in itself. I wondered if that’s why I sometimes swear out of random whenever I’m having flashbacks or intrusive thoughts.

[skyyyskiii]

I always get excited for your uploads Olivia! Thanks for the great content.

[Treeny]

Your explanations are so well put together. You help me understand what my daughter is feeling and going through. Cant thank you enough

[ryansuttree]

No need to doll up! You are a pleasant person. Also I love the soothing and pretty color scheme of your graphics and your background.

[dianacantu]

My son got diagnosed with autism. And I don't mean to offend anyway. This is a new world to me. So my son is high functioning and doesn't come across austc to me so I'm lost and confused. But as I see you and you talk so clearly you don't look autistic to me. I'm so lost in how to help my son. He also has anxiety, depression and adhd. It felt so good to see you talk

[juliedepaolo]

Hi Olivia! So you didn't want to get "dolled up"?? Well, here is some good news..you are a natural beauty 😀. Your videos help me so much. I learn something new each time. I do have a question:
Do you think you would you have benefitted from therapy had you been diagnosed properly at a much younger age? Like still in elementary school?

[pawreiki]

You are so cute. Thank you for sharing your journey my son at age 13 was recently diagnosed with asd and it is helping us to better understand his triggers that has resulted in anxiety and depression

[erinkimmel]

You mention driving is often an issue, why is that? I despise driving or long car rides but I don't know why. It makes me so exhausted.

[kyrahofstra]

Your videos really help me get a more positive outlook on myself! I am my own harshest critic. I had a very bad experience with a therapist myself when I was around 11. Now having struggled all through hig school and 4 years into university myself, thinking I was not good enough since in the last two years of university I could not keep up anymore. It took me a lot of courage for me to go and get the process started on getting a diagnosis after talking with my GP to figure out which road I had to take. After having to wait so long to get out of the waiting list I have appointments ready to start my diagnosis. However in the meantime I had the worst anxiety, which I knew was totally illogical but could not turn off. Now I have medication that is helping that in a way. But I really hope therapy will help me a lot, although I really do not know how, since I cannot fathom what could help me.
Really sorry for the long comment, but I just want to say thank you! Although I present a lot differently I really get the struggle, and have hope for beter days c:

[JadeDRail]

I want to show this to all the people are are like "Why do you want a diagnosiiiis?? Why do you need a laaabel. We don<t do labels here."

[Treezp]

Hi Olivia. Thanks! I agree - Therapy is awesome! I started early (15 years old) & having had therapy has literally saved my life many times over. All the best, Love Theresa

[EliW]

For me the best thing would have been peer support from autistic peers, but I’ve never had the opportunity to do that

[BriBooth]

You talk so well! Do you script? I stumble over my words so much 😩

[MuseDisorder]

Thank you Olivia, love these videos, so very helpful and inspiring to take control of ones life to live it fully.

[DeborahAnnsuperversatile]

I relate to you the most. Thank you for sharing.

[radiostatic]

Really happy to hear your input on Better Help! After my diagnosis, the doctor only suggested one therapist in my area and said they’re really hard to book with, so I’ve been curious about the broader options Better Help has to offer.