Em Rusciano says she 'didn't get out of bed for a month' after being falsely ... trends now
Em Rusciano has revealed that being accused of faking her autism and ADHD diagnosis led to depression and paranoia.
The former radio star tells this week's Stellar Magazine that she was unable to get out of bed as she faced public scrutiny over her admission that she was struggling with the developmental disabilities.
'It's such a wild thing to accuse someone of. I took to carrying around my diagnostic report in hardcopy and digital, that's how upsetting it was. I didn't get out of bed for a month' the 45-year-old said.
'It was my worst fear. It really took me out and down. It made me not want to continue talking about it, but it's who I am; to shut that part off would be doing 10-year-old Em a disservice, so I spent many months picking myself up.'
She added: 'And then I got over myself and realised that I don't need the validation.'
Em Rusciano (pictured) has revealed that being accused of faking her autism and ADHD diagnosis led to depression and paranoia
It comes after media personality Meshel Laurie falsely implied that the comedian was using her condition for 'clout'.
'The truth is, I've spent a lifetime developing coping techniques to try and fit in, I became an expert at appearing 'fine' but in reality my apparent competence was actually heavy duty masking,' Em wrote online in response.
'That's how it is for most late diagnosed women, I now know so many of my mental health issues were because I was trying to force my brain into neuro-typical structures and systems that were not designed for me.'
Em continued: 'I simply did not understand why life was so bloody exhausting, then I found out it was because I was having to spend all my time pretending that I found certain parts of it easy.
'It's such a wild thing to accuse someone of. I took to carrying around my diagnostic report in hardcopy and digital, that's how upsetting it was. I didn't get out of bed for a month' the 45-year-old said
'I didn't know that everyone else just knew how to make the right amount of eye contact during a conversation with a stranger.
'I have great attention to detail because I spend hours anxiously pouring over everything I do in case there is a mistake and someone realises I am not really up to the task.
'I self monitor in social interactions, I work really hard to not interrupt the person talking, to not take the conversation over and go on a five minute info dumping spree because they've mentioned a topic I know all about. When I'm excited or tired or anxious I stim.'
At the time, Em received some unwarranted backlash online after revealing that she had planned to possibly utilise the 'sensory inclusivity room' at Marvel Stadium during a Harry Style concert in Melbourne.
'I'm extremely sensitive to light and sound and textures. Sensory overload and burnout happen to me five or six times a week, that's why when I saw that Marvel stadium
