Hey autistic peeps. I’m not really in a great space mentally right now, and figured I’d ask if anyone knows of any good coping mechanisms or tricks or whatever.
Anyway, some background. I’m one of those perpetually online types with no real irl hobbies. As you probably are aware (because Lemmy), there’s been a lot of disruption in the online space recently. There’s also been a fair amount of disruption in my personal life which I shan’t go into. Kinda tempted to make a post here or /c/mentalhealth detailing my woefull history, but I’m not sure if there’s interest.
Anyway, the main thing is that since May, I’ve been struggling with anxiety, and been kind of letting it rot, get worse and pull in other things. It’s at the point now where it feels a bit overwhelming and it’s actively getting in the way of my thought patterns, which is as scary as it sounds.
Through talking to people (including friends who I really appreciate taking the time to put up with me) about it, I’ve been able to drill it down to two main “fears”:
- I’m scared of trying new things or enjoying familiar things in case they get taken away from me in the future.
- I’m vey uncomfortable with the idea of being restricted from things because of who I am or what I believe in.
They struck me as being, for want of a better term, “autismy” thoughts, and get the feeling my nt friends dont “get” it. Just wondering if either of these statements resonate with anyone, or if anyone has advice on combatting them.
I feel the same, I think it’s because I used to overshare easily and alienate people? I’m older and now I’m the opposite in real life, I’m super guarded and talk to nobody (because I seriously fell on my nose for being too open and trusting). Online I try to find safe spaces like this one where I can share some of the weirdness.
I’ll be going out today first time in months. All day event. I’m nervous but remind myself that I have been out among people often, and often longer. I’m going to enjoy myself. There is still always an effort though to keep active and do things and not have my thoughts stop all my activities.