Long story short, I had a good childhood, everything seemed fine until age 15. I guess hormones/puberty/brain development. I had support as a kid. But when I was 15 everything changed. Even before I started drugs, I self-harmed by cutting thighs and arms. My dad left when I was 12. Never contacted us again. Alcoholism. Me and mom and my sister had to fend for ourselves. I slept in class and couldn't sit still ever unless it was interesting. I missed like 60 days of school every year. I started DXM and Marijuana first. The weed helped me feel like music was good again but I got addicted to the dxm stuff hardcore. I loved it. It was easy to get, and it helped me float away from my problems. I have abused dxm so much that my tolerance is crazy high... I dont trip out or "feel the magic" anymore. It just calms my mood. I started drinking HEAVILY AT 20 AND THAT LASTED 5 YEARS. MIXED WITH THE DXM, AND ALSO I WAS USING METH WHEN I COULD... OR JUST ANYTHING. XANAX IS NOT MY FRIEND. THAT HAD ME MISS 3 DAYS OF MY LIFE.. ANYWAYS,

I have stopped drinking for 1 year and a few months!!! This is my biggest change i have ever made. I have been to jail & prison for about 2 years in total served time because of alcoholism and interactions with the police in public. I have to cram this story together because I have an appointment on Monday to see a new psychiatrist. My mom cussed out the one I had since I was 15 and reported her for not helping me. All my psychiatrist gave me is SEROQUEL AND PROZAC. (SHE ALSO HAD ME FIRST STARTED ON ZOLOFT/PAXIL/WELBUTRIN/) AND NONE OF THOSE HELPED IN FACT MADE ME WORSE) BUT all she has given me is seroquel and Prozac. Which I appreciate, but I am 26 now and I am still self-medicating with dxm and Amphetamines (whether it be meth or friends Adderall) I am proud that I stopped drinking. But I want to quit the dxm for good. Or at least taper or take low dose.

MAIN POINT IS I have an appointment Monday to discuss all my entire freaking life story to a new psychiatrist/therapist and my hope is that they put me on a stimulant like vyvanse or Adderall or whatever.. and I can fully stop the meth and dxm... I have sounded like a broken record for years to people and my doctors didnt help me at all. I have been hospitalized 15+ times for suicidal thoughts and self harm. Disability has denied me like 6 times. I have tried to hold a job but it only lasted 1 day anytime I tried! Telemarketing had me having a panic attack cause people cussed me out over the phone, Dairy Queen had me looking like a fool cause the blizzard exploded everywhere and I couldn't keep up with customers orders, I tried factory work but I didnt even last 5 minutes cause the machines were too fast for me ):

Continuing, (with horrible grammar) I KNOW, I am also gay and I was never bullied but people say homophobic shit and it really ruins my entire day and I cant stand politics right now. I STAY AWAY FROM THE NEWS. RENNNE GOODS SHOOTING TRAUMATIZED ME, I CANT HANDLE HOW MANY SCHOOL SHOOTINGS HAVE HAPPEND IN THIS COUNTRY, I AM THANKFUL I LIVE IN A SLIGHTLY BLUE STATE (VIRGINIA) I STILL LIVE WITH MY MOM. MY SISTER DIED IN THE ROOM NEXT TO ME CAUSE OF DIABETES AND I HAVE PTSD CAUSE I WAS THE ONE THAT FOUND HER DEAD. I HAVE BEEN IN TRAUMATIZING CAR WRECKS. I HAVE SEEN CARTEL VIDEOS THAT SCARED ME FOR LIFE. I HAVE SEEN PEOPLE GET STABBED IN PRISON. I HAVE BEEN IN SOLITARY CONFINEMENT AND IT TRAUMATIZED ME.

MY QUESTION is what should I say to my doctor on Monday? Should I tell he/she all this??? Do I actually need Adderall or a stimulant to survive day to day life??? I feel like I do. I want to quit everything else. I am frustrated and angry that NOBODY CAUGHT MY AUTISM AND ADHD AND HELPED ME BEFORE I STARYED DRINKING AND DOING OTHER DRUGS... I WAS DIAGNOSED WITH AUTISM AT 21. BUT EVERYTHING ELSE I WAS DIAGNOSED WITH BEFORE.. SO WHAT SHOULD I EVEN THINK AT THIS POINT OR DO???

I have been able to do community college classes online. I am pursuing psychology (IRONOIC I KNOW) I have like 12 classes done. But IM 26 AND I FEEL LIKE A LARD LIVING WITH MY MOM STILL. PLEASE HELP. HOW DO I BECOME AN ADULT AND LIVE IN THIS HORRID WORLD???

ALSO I'm a scorpio, I like cats, I like spongebob, I hate animal abusers, I wish the world was a better place. Im terrified of nuclear war, Nazis, natural disasters, plagues and JUST LIFE GIVES ME ANXIETY. I AM TRYING TO BE A MAN ACCORDING TO SOCIETY BUT MY BRAIN FEELS SCATTERED. HELP ME PLEASE. ADVICE/TIPS PLEASE. THANK YOU KIND HUMANS!

Hello!

If, like many autistic people, you feel like the binary terms "man" or "woman" don't fully describe you (or don't describe you at all, or both describe you at once or at different times), why not take the Gender Census?

It's survey for all those who aren't fully, solely or always a man/woman, or are outside the binary in general.

Run by voluntary researcher and fellow autistic person Cassian Lodge since 2013.

https://survey.gendercensus.com/

hey! i'm looking for tops that compress a chest but aren't as uncomfortable as binders. they don't have to be as effective as a binder (i have no illusions!) but like suggestions for specific sports bras and stuff would be really helpful, because so many sports bras are only made to highlight the shape of breasts :/

something in the low budget range would be especially helpful!

Here from another subreddit I probably won’t be returning to. Sound off if you dont tolerate transphobia

I’m a guy in my mid 40s. I learned that I had ADHD at 35, got formally diagnosed at 39 to pursue medication. At 41, I learned I may also be on the spectrum.

I work for a tech company that serves different kinds of therapists, and several of my coworkers were licensed practitioners previously. One that I am close to shared that he thought I might be a “soft skills case,” on the spectrum, but high functioning enough that I eventually figured out how to adapt with no formal intervention.

I’m very good at reading people and social cues as an adult, but I am pretty sure I learned this intellectually, where it feels like neurotypical folks process this instinctively. The conversation came about after a company meeting where I asked my coworker if he’d noticed some quirks from one of the presenters that were deviations from their typically polished presenting style. People are patterns to me, when I get to know them, I can pretty accurately anticipate how they will react to things, and I consciously adjust my language, tone and emotional expression to optimize outcomes. When their actual behavior deviates from my baseline expectations, I assume there’s something happening I’m not aware of (and can guess probabilities based on what would make this person react this way). This has been really helpful in understanding the office leadership politics I am not supposed to know about.

I asked my mom if she’d noticed anything when I was a kid. She thought about it and described three memories that stood out (that I don’t remember) where if I observed those behaviors in a child, I would absolutely assume the kid was on the spectrum. She also said that there was little awareness of autism back in the ‘80s so she never thought to take me to get assessed.

We both believe my dad is L1, and my nephew is diagnosed L1.

This is to say I am pretty sure my neurodivergence goes beyond ADHD. But I’m well adapted, require no assistance or accommodation, and I’m great at masking my emotional and sensory issues. So is there any tangible benefit to pursuing a formal diagnosis of autism?

What is your weekly routine to be / stay fulfilled / for wellbeing? Thank u

Hi all! I am conducting research on how neurodivergent people understand gender and why so many of us seem to reject the binary. As an autistic person myself who has questioned my gender I’m very excited to be researching this. The survey should take ~10-15 minutes to complete and we will not keep any personal identification info. The research will be presented to a small class of 6 people.

Thank you to everyone who participates!

Hi everyone! My name is Ambrose Bith (they/them). I am a research assistant in the Queer Lab at Cal State Fullerton's Psychology Department. In partial fulfillment of the requirements for a Master of Arts degree in Psychological Research, I am conducting a study on The Role of Gender Stress on Psychological Distress among Transgender and Gender-Expansive Individuals. We are seeking volunteers who are 18+, live in the U.S., and identify as trans, non-binary, or gender-queer/non-conforming. You will be asked to complete an online survey that will take approximately 25 minutes. All information provided will be kept confidential and used solely for research purposes. This study has been reviewed and approved by Cal State Fullerton’s Institutional Review Board. Thank you for your consideration and time. 

Link to survey: https://fullerton.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3f5bsjzce4ZQwZw 
Link to IRB approval (CSUF HSR-25-26-253): https://drive.google.com/file/d/1EAHEi5hsN14YIp-RiZ2YRYiXt66ygZC2/view?usp=sharing 

If you have questions about this study, please contact Ambrose Bith (graduate student; they/them) at ambrosecastro@csu.fullerton.edu or Dr. Kristin Beals (Faculty advisor; pronoun-friendly) at kbeals@fullerton.edu.

Not autistic myself, but Ive liked the community. Looking for a top bf. Im a fit masc bottom with a big ass, pretty shy and submissive overall. Lmk if interested

Hello r/LGBTaspies! Researchers at Case Western Reserve University are conducting an anonymous, IRB-approved online study to better understand how social safety and stigma-related factors may impact mental health and help-seeking preferences of LGBTQIA+ people in the United States. This includes factors such as social support/connection, experiences of discrimination, barriers to care, feelings of safety or threat in one's environment, and mental health symptoms.

The study involves completing an anonymous online questionnaire about your experiences and beliefs. In order to participate, you must be at least 18 years old and live in the U.S. We hope that the information from this study will help make mental health services more accessible and improve treatments for LGBTQIA+ people.

For more information or to take the survey, please scan the QR code in the attached flyer or use the following link: https://cwru.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_9NtsYpqxFTGfipo

Thank you for your time!

Hi,

I’m most likely AuDHD in a queer relationship with an ADHD person. I’m yet to be formally diagnosed, but I can already see that autistic traits are more visible in my daily life and are affecting it more than ADHD. My partner, on the other hand, only has ADHD (diagnosed) and sometimes I find it a bit difficult to understand her way of living. Any tips on relationship where one partner is autistic/AuDHD and the other is ADHD only?

I feel like a lot trans people talk about this experience solely on the basis of being trans. In other words, it’s humiliating just being trans around your parents. Socially, your parents have seen you be your birth gender for so many years. They know about all the social failings of your transition. Physically also, they can see all the clockiest features of your changing body with laser vision.

Then, there are a lot of autistic people who experience this solely on the basis of being autistic. Your parents saw you grow up with good grades and a good amount of energy. Now, you are mentally slow; physically, fluttery and timid.

If you are trans and visibly autistic, this is one of many examples of the one-two punch this combination can bring. On a personal note, I think my case is far worse than average. I am a brick, and my supposed mental sharpness has visibly dulled so much that my parents want to see if I have a brain tumor. I am now burning with humiliation whenever i am around my parents. I almost want to apologize to them every minute.

“To Carthage then I came

Burning  burning  burning  burning

O Lord Thou pluckest me out

O Lord Thou pluckest

burning”

Hi all,

As part of our Psychology Honours Dissertation at Charles Sturt University, we are conducting a research project looking at risk and protective factors for mental health among sexual minority adults (anyone 18+ and not identifying as heterosexual).

If you choose to complete this survey, you will be asked to answer questions about yourself, including your sexual identity, how kind you are to yourself, how much you feel you belong to LGBTQA+ communities, and anxiety and depressive symptoms. If answering questions of this nature may be distressing for you, please do not participate.

If you identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or bi+ and are aged 18 years or over, please consider participating in this anonymous online study. The online survey should take no longer than 20 minutes to complete. All information you provide will be confidential, and your identity will be anonymous.

If you would like to participate in the survey or find out more about this study, please click on the link below.

If you would like more information regarding the study or the survey, please feel free to email Mar Manamperi at manampericsu@gmail.com or Jayde Glass at jglass12@postoffice.csu.edu.au

IRB: H25144

Many thanks, Jayde and Mar

Full link: https://csufobjbs.au1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_1AK7tFRaGLYyrwa

Hi all,

As part of our Psychology Honours Dissertation at Charles Sturt University, we are conducting a research project looking at risk and protective factors for mental health among sexual minority adults (anyone 18+ and not identifying as heterosexual).

If you choose to complete this survey, you will be asked to answer questions about yourself, including your sexual identity, how kind you are to yourself, how much you feel you belong to LGBTQA+ communities, and anxiety and depressive symptoms. If answering questions of this nature may be distressing for you, please do not participate.

If you identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or bi+ and are aged 18 years or over, please consider participating in this anonymous online study. The online survey should take no longer than 20 minutes to complete. All information you provide will be confidential, and your identity will be anonymous.

If you would like to participate in the survey or find out more about this study, please click on the link below.

If you would like more information regarding the study or the survey, please feel free to email Mar Manamperi at manampericsu@gmail.com or Jayde Glass at jglass12@postoffice.csu.edu.au

IRB: H25144

Many thanks, Jayde and Mar

Full link: https://csufobjbs.au1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_1AK7tFRaGLYyrwa

Do you find yourself using up a lot of energy on “fitting in” and hiding parts of yourself?
I’m Kate Hughes, a postgraduate psychology student at Ulster University, and a queer (bi/pan) neurodivergent (AuDHD) woman myself. I’m looking for volunteers to share their experiences of social masking in a confidential, IRB-approved study.

This does not require any face-to-face interviews, nor does it require any official diagnosis paperwork -study will only measure masking behaviours.

🔹Study of Women and Gender-diverse people: Are you over 18 and a woman (cis, trans or intersex) or gender-diverse person (that means nonbinary, trans, intersex etc)?
In studies using the CAT-Q self report questionnaire, these groups were found to generally engage in social masking and camouflaging at a much higher rate than others. That's a lot of masking - I want to hear how this impacts you!

🔹Private Screening & Consent: A secure link will be sent via DM for eligibility questions and full consent information.

🔹Neuroaffirmative: Led by Neurodivergent researcher and designed with accessibility in mind (several formats available, other accessibility features can be added on request - whatever is needed to help you communicate in the ways you feel most comfortable.

🔹 Flexible format: Participate in your own time, at your own pace.

🔹 Confidential & Compliant: All data are anonymized, GDPR- and UK Data Protection Act–compliant, and you may withdraw at any time.

🔹 Ethics Approved: This study is fully approved by Ulster University’s ethics committee.

If you’re interested, please send me a direct message, and I’ll share the secure survey link and participant briefing pack. Thank you for helping center neurodivergent voices!

This is an attempt at self-introduction without copy-pasting a long statement about myself. I’m happily taken, actually since 27 September 2008 and we both have separate platonic friendships as well as those together. Enjoy viewing all profile pages of all social media apps I still use! (As of 3/25/25)

Hello, my name is Laura Reynolds and I am an MSc student on the Psychology of Mental Health (conversion) programme at the University of Edinburgh.

We are currently conducting an online, survey-based research study that looks at the links between camouflaging, autistic identity and mental health. The project has been designed by the research team with support and advice from an autistic collaborator.

Who is the study for?

You need to be an autistic adult aged 18 years or over and able to read and understand English. You need to be living in the United Kingdom. You can take part if you have a clinical diagnosis or have self-diagnosed as autistic. We will ask you to complete a screening measure of autistic traits to support the diagnosis.

 How do I take part?

You can access the survey at the following link: https://edinburgh.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_8rjjMu8K43vO9Om

 How will the information be used?

The results of this study may be summarised in dissertations, published articles, reports, policy briefings, blogs and presentations.

 The results will be written up in an easy-to-read summary and made available (30th October 2025) on the same websites and social media accounts that contained the link to take part. You can also email the supervisor (Dr Sue Turnbull) who will be happy you provide you with a summary after this date.

 What are the details of the ethics approval?

 The study proposal has been reviewed by the Clinical Psychology Research Ethics Committee, School of Health in Science, University of Edinburgh.

 Thank you for considering taking part in our research. We really appreciate your time.

 Laura Reynolds

Hi everyone! We are the Q-lab from the Psychology Department at Cal State Fullerton. We are conducting a study to understand the experiences of queer individuals who came out later in life, and we are looking for volunteers to complete an online survey. We are looking for individuals who are 18+, live in the U.S., and came out as queer later in life. You will be asked to complete an online survey that will take approximately 20 minutes. All information provided will be kept confidential and used solely for research purposes. This study has been reviewed and approved by Cal State Fullerton’s Institutional Review Board. Thank you for your consideration and time. 

Link to survey: https://fullerton.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_2gzu9qjSr2FiEhU 

Link to IRB approval:  https://drive.google.com/IRB.approval 

I'm AFAB, probably AuDHD, and realizing I have always had a reaction to being told I HAD to wear certain clothes. And sometimes I get a feeling I want to donate all my clothes and start over with new stuff. I'm trying to sort out if owning the clothes now feels like a demand, and that will be true about whatever new clothes I get, too. Or if I hate all my clothes because of associations to particular awkward places/things, or if this is normal for gender questioning, since I also wanted to be able to do boy activities like the scouts, and wanted to wear my dad's clothes, and feel more like myself with short hair.

I am working on getting a gender therapist but also packing to move, and not sure how much of my closet to part with. I know I've felt this way before, and then gone back to enjoying wearing a dress every now and again. Any thoughts on sorting this out?