I’ve thought about writing this several times in my head, and, at the same time, I’ve ripped it up and though better of it.
I’m Rob. I’m in my 40s, and, in November 2025, I was diagnosed as having a severe Autistic Spectrum Disorder, then earlier on this year, I was also diagnosed with ADHD. It affects me massively, and, prevents me from working. I have previously worked, although at that time, the lack of diagnosis affected me and made things difficult, and trying to work just made things harder.
Other than that, I’m a football fan. Growing up in the household and family that I have done, means that I am a Nottingham Forest fan, and, through the good times (but more often than not), the bad and indifferent times, the club has kept me going.
I mean, what other club has had a member of the clubs ownership group in the past, ask if they could buy footballs from a Petrol Station forecourt, as they were cheaper than the actual match balls.
Going to Forest matches is one of the constants in my life. It takes me a massive mental effort to do this, and, weeks of planning beforehand (those who have ASD/ADHD will understand how mental exhaustion can hit you), and, can often wipe me out physically for 24 hours afterwards, such is the strain I put on myself.
I don’t write this to make people feel sorry for me, its just who I am, and I find everything difficult at times, especially if it breaks the routine of how things go for me.
On top of that, I also do the club research for Nottingham Forest, for the Football Manager series of games (abuse below if you think I do things wrong ;)), and have done that for over 15 years now (its nearer 20, but, I’m old). It gives me something to do, and allows me to indulge in a few little things I enjoy (like data and stats), and sometimes, sitting up at 3am, reading some random thing about a Forest player, can be the only thing that keeps me ticking.
One of the worst things about my mental condition, is that there are no real ups and downs, they all blur into one, and, for a long time, its been low. Thats where my family come in, and the dog.
Not every family interaction is great, but, the dog knows when I’m having a bad time, and hes there for me.
Actually doing tasks is difficult, it always has been, I can plan it out for ages beforehand, get prepared, then, like turning a switch off, just not do it. I’ve always been like that. Teachers and colleagues called it me being lazy, but, its not that simple. Since diagnosis, I’ve tried to understand the causes behind this sort of thing, and in the process, I’ve found out that it affects a lot of ADHD/ASD people, not just me. It doesn’t make me feel any better, but, at the same time, it makes me realise that some do understand.
If you’ve made it this far, thanks. I don’t know what I set out to achieve, nor, do I know how often I’ll be doing this, but, I needed to blow off steam..
Rob