Anxiety

I have ibs, it can be so bad that I loose weight because I am so anxious. It’s a vicious circle because if I’m anxious my ibs flares up, then I am anxious about needing to find a toilet, which then makes the ibs worse. So I completely sympathise with you. This is going to sound weird but sometimes I can reduce my anxiety by causing a problem that I can then resolve, which brings back some control. For example, I work in a supermarket and I like to work neat and tidy. But say I’m feeling anxious about completing a task on time. Something I have no real control over. I will then create a mess with the empty cardboard boxes as I work until that bothers me more than the original anxiety. Sometimes I’m swimming in cardboard and stressing about that more than being behind. But I can fix the problem and I feel better. If that makes sense. Sometimes a list or a mind map can help. For example You can write: I’m anxious because I might have to answer the front door today. And write what you can do about it. And write out the possible scenarios. Eg. Might have to sign for a delivery, you might have to say something. And have a worse case scenario which in this case could be , I don’t answer the door due to anxiety or if don’t hear it, the delivery person will leave my parcel in a safe place outside. Something like that. And yes if you a wondering I even get anxious about answering the front door. 

I had a dyslexic sister. I'm glad you've got audiobooks for reading as books are so much fun. I'm going to invest in an audiobook and hope I get on well. It'll be easier than reading. 

I use audiobooks because I’m dyslexic and can’t process a paragraph, I can read a paragraph 5 times and nothing goes in, honestly give the audiobooks a go. They also block the outside world out.

I think your right it's always worse before the start of the week. I havent tried anything like an audi book but I will soon. I have bad eyes solar retinopathy cause so I don't do much reading. 

I'm sorry you worry as well. Thx thou for kind word too me. You hang in there and keep telling those anxious thoughts to get lost. You have a positive outlook thats going to work in your favour. 

Ikr is mental! Distractions don't particularly help me either. More like I just have to try and fight my way through the anxiety. 

I’m sorry you feel this way, anxiety and autism seem to go ‘hand in glove’ Sunday nights can be worse as there is the worry of the week ahead. It’s very easy for people to say, ‘don’t worry’. It doesn’t help, I use sleepy tea and a bath with cbd extract. I also use noise reduction earphones and listen to an audiobook until I sleep. I have been listening to Elle Mcnicolls books, they are full of neurodivergent characters and are written for younger people, I’m ancient and still found them brilliant. The BBC are making a series from her first book called, ‘ Like a Spark’ hope you enjoy her books, Elle is also autistic.

Yes I can relate to this- I do worry about everything and once some worries fade or get sorted, I will always find new ones... usually the only way one takes a back seat is if another stronger worry takes over. I also suffer from a lot of digestive issues which I suspect are in part triggered by stress... I'm sorry I don't really have much practical advice. Sometimes it helps me to remind myself that I cannot possibly think through every possible outcome and scenario and worry about it and plan for what I would do if it happened... especially if it is too far in the future and I am lacking information. But it is hard to stop. 

I'm glad you found a hobby you love! I hope you can do lots of that!

Whilst I'm unable to offer any practical advice, I feel I can sort of relate. There are many people that find distractions helpful, but I've never really been able to do that myself, as I'll still be thinking about the thing that's worrying me even when I'm doing something intended to distract me.