Published on 12, July, 2020
A friend of mine who is autistic was recently diagnosed with this.
I've read of others here in the past who have the diagnosis.
I've wondered if I have the disorder although I don't have the diagnosis.
When I was younger (around 30 years ago) I remember telling my GP that I felt 'locked into a state of anxiety' and that is when he put me onto antidepressants (again).
A few years later I saw a letter from the hospital which listed my medical conditions and it included anxiety.
This really bemused me as I thought anxiety was just an ordinary part of everyday life.
I believe that the disorder diagnosis is a fairly recently one (I must check that out).
I'm pretty certain that the anxiety will be closely tied into the challenges of being autistic and also I have undiagnosed OCD which is obviously anxiety based and have had this since I was a small child.
What do others think - do you have a diagnosis?
Do you become anxious in certain situations?
Or are you just anxious all the time?
Talking only from my own experience as a high masking individual, everyone is different. GAD diagnosed before autism. Prescribed SSRIs and various bouts of CBT both of which were largely ineffective. I learned in CBT that "worry = anxiety" so for this purpose, it is thought based. While i learned some general effective coping strategies, this idea didn't seem to fit. Now understanding my individual experience - rumination is largely monotropic thoughts. An inability to sleep is an over stimulated brain. You cannot think your way out of a more sensitive fight or flight response. The physical symptoms experienced when diagnosed GAD were autistic stress and burnout. Perceived social anxiety is EF overload, masking & coping strategies and difference in communication with neurotypical people. A high intolerance of uncertainty because our brains are wired that way. I find mindfulness a far better coping strategy than CBT. Also understanding the root causes of autistic anxiety are often vastly different to neurotypical. This can make things calmer. The D stands for "disorder". Or it could be seen as a natural response? Our sensitivities make us more resilient. The journey we find ourselves on - we may end up understanding ourselves far more than others do. Despite all the difficulties faced, this is a positive thing.
I enjoyed this post. You explained the autistic condition well.
Hi,
I'm 54 and I have seen my online medical records that I was also diagnosed with "Anxiety" with no other notes. I've been on SSRIs for over 20 years and been prescribed bouts of CBT with little to no effect countless times. I mask quite heavily, so counselling and CBT never really do anything. The medication does work on my anxiety in that I feel the difference whenever I try to reduce them, and not in a good way. You've summed up everything perfectly here in a way that I've never heard it explained before. Although I oversleep as a response and am always tired.
out_of_step said:Now understanding my individual experience - rumination is largely monotropic thoughts. An inability to sleep is an over stimulated brain. You cannot think your way out of a more sensitive fight or flight response. The physical symptoms experienced when diagnosed GAD were autistic stress and burnout. Perceived social anxiety is EF overload, masking & coping strategies and difference in communication with neurotypical people. A high intolerance of uncertainty because our brains are wired that way.
Because I have not been tested, I constantly make excuses as to why I can't possible be autistic and try and work through total overload with disastrous results. I came back to the site to compare notes again. Every time I do this things make sense until I talk myself out of it again. I don't know anyone here, but you seem to understand things no one else does. So thanks for your comment.