My Nigerian dad just told me he sees autistic traits in himself. I cried on the phone.
We all know how African parents can be with mental illnesses etc. I told my dad (59) that I have an autism assessment lined up this month, and I listed a few of my symptoms. I emphasised strongly that socialising is a huge, huge problem for me. Huge to the point of severe depression. I have no real friends. Not to mention the fact that I’ve been burnt out forever for a whole host of reasons and the guilt is eating me alive.
I told my stepmother about my plans to do the assessment a while ago and she just told me that she doesn’t see it in me. When I bring up my symptoms, she calls it nonsense. My dad actually listened! And he said he struggles socially as well - something I noticed myself. It just made me feel so… comforted. I didn’t even know my dad could do that.
I was crying as he kept on talking. Even if it turns out I don’t have it, I’m glad that we had the conversation in the first place.
Idk what the point of this post is, actually. Maybe just to show that Africans can understand mental health stuff if they lock in? Lmao