• Replies 8 replies
  • Subscribers 85 subscribers
  • Views 2554 views
  • Users 0 members are here
Options
Related
Hints and tips
  • To quote someone's message, first select/highlight the relevant text, and then use the Quote button that appears
  • To "mention" someone, type @ followed by the start of the forum name, and choose from the list; that person will get a notification of being mentioned

Finding everything difficult…

Abi23

Literally everything in my life is difficult. I’m a uni student, supposed to be a high achiever who is going places. But I’m crippled with anxiety, and since realising that I’m autistic I’m seeing more and more that my struggles are quite extreme. For an example, if I have to send an email to a tutor, this will take at least 20 minutes because I have to read it over and over and over until it sounds right. I know this seems small, but I think to myself, if I can’t even send an email without intense anxiety, how am I going to cope with everything in life? Like, I cannot see any way I will ever be able to cope with a job, I can’t even drag myself to my 4 lectures per week. I’m in my final year and I just don’t know what I’m going to do next, I can’t engage socially with people, my anxiety is so bad and I cannot relate to anyone. I don’t have any ambitions and I feel so different and abnormal when compared to other people my age. I just don’t think I can do this anymore. 

Parents

  • Hi Abi. In the short term, is there any help you can request from a trusted person? Sometimes, when someone is struggling with mental health, there may be adjustments that could be made for you, such as help with deadlines, or alternative means of communication if you are struggling with e-mail specifically.

    Don't feel that you need to compare yourself with others. It may be that you have more skill for studying, or other abilities rather than social engagements. That's useful.

    Also, I found that it was easier to get on with people at work, because in employment, interactions with people are more compartmentalized than is the case in education; you can have conversations with peers without needing a personal relationship in a way that doesn't happen in university. You may well find that you're better suited to the work environment that university; I was- I didn't make any friends at uni.

  • in reply to DiffidAnt

    I’ve tried getting help from my uni before, when I had really bad mental health issues in my first year (this was before I knew I was autistic). I was basically told that there’s not much they can do and that I should try yoga for my anxiety. I’ve always felt like I did enjoy studying but hated the social side of things and would rather just stay in my room to study or go to the library. Im just finding it hard to get through the rest of this year, and then the constant worry about what I’m going to do next. 

Reply
  • in reply to DiffidAnt

    I’ve tried getting help from my uni before, when I had really bad mental health issues in my first year (this was before I knew I was autistic). I was basically told that there’s not much they can do and that I should try yoga for my anxiety. I’ve always felt like I did enjoy studying but hated the social side of things and would rather just stay in my room to study or go to the library. Im just finding it hard to get through the rest of this year, and then the constant worry about what I’m going to do next. 

Children
No Data