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Serious struggles

AnneMargaret

Am I allowed to talk about self harm or is that wrong On here? Am I really struggling with feelings. Why do I feel so confused and scared of the world? I feel like I have everything bubbling inside but I don't even know if they are good or bad feelings. I just feel really anxious. I don't understand things and feel everyone is against me. 

  • Been there, done that, got the scars to prove it.

     

    I spent so much time in my room trying to find a way to make sense of the world and trying to release the frustration inside me.  Over time, and with CBT and other psychiatric help, I have grown out of it.  Or, at least got the tools now to help deal with a confusing world.  Today I feel really down and I have no idea why and that is what is frustrating me today.  Why do I feel down, there is no logical reason for me feeling like this, but I was advised by my psychiatrist that this feeling is normally only temporary and tomorrow is a new day.  It may be just lack of sleep, so I'll see what a relaxing sleep (if I can get it) will sort out for me tonight.

     

    Even if I can't really give you pointers, all I know if trying to figure this out all by yourself isn't ideal.  I didn't feel like being around people but it is really good if you can get someone, preferably who understands about ASDs, to just talk to.  Writing all your thoughts down in a diary helped me because it gave me something to look over and try and make sense of things.  It's much harder to sit there and try and work it all out in your head.

    It is possible to feel better so don't give up hope. 

  • Isolation and a potential to analyse overly, and for spiralling anxiety means you are likely to worry about just about everything. You have to try to apply some self-restraint - and that's not a glib comment, its advice that with ASD you really do need to give some thought to strategies to reduce anxiety spirals.

    NTs frequently socialise, and this takes their mind of anxiety by providing positive feedback on a regular basis. This is why it is sometimes suggested a pet may help substitute for socialisation.

    You need to consider whether some of the things you worry about are ever likely to happen. Think about priorities - big worries that matter now, big worries that matter next month or next year, and big worries that are unlikely to affect you in the forseeable future.

    You also need to find ways of interrupting the anxiety, in time you may be able to develop break words or phrases that come into your mind when you realise you are overly anxious. Also some relaxation exercises, while they may not help you relax much, will increase your ability to spot harmful levels of anxiety.

    One technique is to carry a small notebook and write down thigs that concern you. Transferring them to paper in a place you know you can find them takes away the need to keep it going round in your head.

    Self-harm has been discussed here before and I'm sure someone will exchange experiences with you.