#97 - Late Autism Diagnosis at 35, Masking, and Rebuilding a Life After Trauma - With Author Chris Carazas

In this episode, Christopher Carazas shares his profound journey through childhood challenges, mental health struggles, and the impact of divorce. He discusses his experiences with ADHD and autism, the importance of therapy, and the role of community in fostering resilience. Christopher emphasizes the significance of self-compassion and offers valuable insights for those facing similar challenges, encouraging listeners to seek help and find their reasons to stay. Learn more about Chris here - https://chriscarazas.com/ Takeaways Christopher's journey includes overcoming ADHD and autism. He emphasizes the importance of community and support systems. Masking was a significant part of his life experience. Therapy played a crucial role in his recovery. Self-compassion is essential for mental health. He encourages others to find their reasons to stay. Micro moments of resilience lead to significant change. Divorce had a profound impact on his mental health. He wrote a memoir to share his story and help others. Reaching out for help can be a vital step in recovery. Chapters 00:00 Journey of Self-Discovery 05:47 Struggles with Mental Health 09:20 The Impact of Relationships 13:17 Childhood and Adolescence 20:46 Navigating Social Interactions 26:59 The Value of Honesty 32:30 Navigating Conversations and Responses 34:25 Tools for Mental Health and Self-Compassion 45:47 Finding Reasons to Stay and Community Support Disclaimer Professional medical care and psychotherapeutic services are not offered on this Youtube channel. It is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute the practice of medicine, nursing or other professional health care services, including the giving of medical advice, and no doctor/patient relationship is formed. The use of information on this podcast or materials linked from this podcast is at the user's own risk. The content of this podcast is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Users should not disregard or delay in obtaining medical advice for any medical condition they may have and should seek the assistance of their health care professionals for any such condition Seeking professional support is encouraged if you think you have an issue and that you want help.