Hi. I’m gonna preface this with I’m high functioning autistic, and with medications I’m medium functioning anxiety/depression.
Without medication I am not functioning; and medication does not get rid of all my symptoms or issues. I see a therapist and psychologist regularly.
I am a rape survivor, as well as some home abuse survivor. And more recently, a car crash survivor.
I’m terrified of baths, the dark, being alone, sleeping, and now cars.
I seriously neglect my physical health and often forget to do basic tasks like eating, showering, brushing my teeth, cleaning etc. It’s not necessarily because I WANT to avoid these tasks. I just genuinely forget.
I am seriously medicated when it comes to bed time, and have to use a weighted blanket.
And I am seriously unobservant. I don’t have an internal marker that says “oh, this is a dangerous situation.” Or “oh, you’re having a panic attack. You need to go somewhere quiet to calm down.”
I’ve talked with my therapist about having a service animal or an ESA.
We settled on me having an ESA. Which promptly died of cancer of the kidneys and liver two months later. (I adopted her from the shelter, and they don’t do in-depth health checks for dogs that have been there a while. she was a 9 y/o English pointer.)
I want a service dog.
I’m just not sure if it’s selfish of me to want one, or to disagree with my therapists opinion.
I’m really struggling right now because of the car accident.
I’m not sure if I qualify for one, how to get one, or even if I need one. I think I just need a little help noticing what the hell is going on with me, and some comforting.
I think it would greatly help some issues, like the fear of driving alone. (I have a horrible fear of Japanese monsters and the grudge really fucked me up.) and probably sleeping. I’m not sure how to bring it up in a way that she will take me seriously either.
Any advice?
Submitted October 31, 2019 at 04:52AM by Not-a-wwizard https://ift.tt/31Zqypg