What are people's experiences of anxiety?

My opinion, based on my experience:

I think anxiety is the anticipation part. It is when you know you are going to have to do something that you are not confident about. Anxiety is from a change in routine and the unknown. I suppose it is a fear response because you are not in control. I think anxiety it more of a physical response, probably a result of adrenaline and cortisol, the knot in your stomach, the hot flushes, sweating particularly your hands, tight chest, looking for an escape. The only thing that helps, besides alcohol, is repetition. The first time to do anything is worst, if you have done it before it gets easier as long as it went well before.

Overwhelm is when you are overloaded with too many things, which is more in the moment. I have a less good idea about this. I guess it is too many demands at the same time. You lose the ability to prioritise, and have to withdraw for a while to get a sense of perspective again, or pick one thing and do that to get moving. It is more of a mental issue. You just struggle to process stuff in the moment. It can lead to shutdown, you don't know what to say or do, or meltdown, you feel anger or frustration so you walk away.

An unexpected demand when I am under pressure to do do something else can do this. You me manage it by trying to calm yourself and knowing it will pass.

The two, anxiety and overwhelm, can occur at the same time though.

Oof McDonald’s? I feel like that’s the worst place to work if you have anxiety. I’m sorry you had to deal with that.

The links from Bunny are helpful. I've had anxiety all my life I'm in my 60s now, I thought as I got older it would improve. It's frightening and disabling, but getting some clarity on what might cause it, knowing I am not alone in this and having some soothing techniques helps. The meds I now take also help but I know that's not the case for everyone.

Perhaps whatever the event good or bad the risk assessment that goes on with autism and anxiety makes things stressful the venue and people, noise, close contact etc and difficult to know whether its anxiety or autism causing distress or perhaps both. But there seem to be some positives too, being with your friend and spending time with someone supportive, listening to comedy can be relaxing and may help your unease. Recognising fears and issues can be scary in itself but may help you understand your triggers and if your friend can be aware too maybe that might help ?  Hope the links above can help you get to enjoy the gig.

illustrated.lady said:

What I'm trying to understand now is what it anxiety and what is autistic overwhelm.

You might find these resources helpful in understanding yourself better. Between them, they also include several accounts of other autistic people's experiences of the issues, which you might be able to identify with / relate to: 

NAS - Anxiety

NAS - Autistic fatigue and burnout

In your earlier thread, I mentioned talking therapy, which could also be helpful. My course of counselling, for example, focused on helping me to identify and process how my autism impacts me.

I can distinguish overwhelm from anxiety, because when overwhelmed- I cry. When anxious,  I feel heavy and crumbs in my stomach. Usually I feel overwhelmed by too many people,  too much noise and too much information.  By too many changes too. I bottle it up. For years I used to hide in a bathroom and cry, I myself didn't know why and I used to punch my own face in front of a mirror, because I thought I was stupid and I was angry with myself for crying, when others don't. I don't have autism diagnosis. I had dx of tourette and depression. My therapist was shocked, couldn't believe that someone diagnosed me with Tourette. I was also forced on meds with awful side effects. Later on I was examined by a team of neurologists and they said it was not Tourette,  but didn't give any answer, what instead. 

I had panic attacks, I think they were related to too much chaos,  too many tasks I had to do at once and noise. Noise is a very significant factor here. I used to work in McDonald's,  that was a hell aand had the panic attacks very often. I was taken to psych hospital, after half hour conversation I was told I have depression, given meds and that's it. They never helped. I might have alexithymia too, it takes me long time of analysing to finally understand and identify my feelings.

Hi there. I got diagnosed with autism last year when I was 24 but since I was about 2 I apparently showed some, though not as many, autistic traits. I got diagnosed with general anxiety disorder when I was 16 and I was put on setraline which didn’t bode well. 50mg to 150mg in three weeks and then I was told to just go cold turkey at 150mg so that didn’t help my anxiety at all. Also the “psychiatrist” was not very friendly with me and made me feel like an idiot. I have always been shy since I was in nursery due to bullying which became more severe as I got older and I always hated putting my hand up to answer a question in case I got it wrong. Basically my anxiety has got worse as I’ve gotten older and I get more anxious because no one is willing to help me. The gps are the most unsympathetic people going in my opinion. I’m 25 now and despite numerous types of therapies and meds, I’m just not able to get better and recover so I don’t know if that’s the autism in me. Since my bullying at a charity shop (when I was already at rock bottom with mental health) I just feel I can’t look out the window or in the mirror or even see a reflection of myself as I get anxious about my current life when other people have more and better lives and they have to rub it in. Half the time I think what’s the point anymore. Sorry if this isn’t really related, I’m still new here and I do have a tendency to misunderstand things, again that’s one of my autistic traits

ASD, ADHD, general anxiety, and major depression here! I was diagnosed with anxiety the same time (age 30) as I got my ASD diagnosis, but it wasn’t a huge shocker as I have been aware of it since at least college. Here’s some ways I think anxiety plays a role with my ASD and ADHD:

- Crowds are horrifying. Absolute stimuli hell.
- Driving is also an unpleasant experience. Every little thing that distracts me makes my nerves go crazy.
- My social anxiety is off the charts. I know I’m going to say something wrong and I know I’m going to regret it. I might even delete this message later for no good reason besides my social anxiety is just too strong lol.
- My stimming is usually connected to things that make me anxious (though on REALLY rare occasions I stim when extremely happy or angry).

I also feel dread right before an event like you do. I think that’s more anxiety than Autism, but as wacky as this sounds, sometimes anticipating your Autistic experiences (ex. sensory input, social interactions, etc) can cause your anxiety to skyrocket.

Yeah if you have ADHD on top of ASD and anxiety, that’s going to make big events like going to see bands a harrowing experience. That’s a lot of sensory overload to get through. If you do get diagnosed with ADHD, though, your doctor might be able to find a medical regime that suits both ADHD/anxiety better!

Hi, I was diagnosed with depression and anxiety at 18 and eventually with ASD at the age of 53.

An expression I used to describe how I feel is " I'm just waiting for the other shoe to drop", it just feels like that straw that breaks the camels back is out there somewhere.

My alexithymia certainly doesn't help, I can't remember when I was last happy (if I ever was) or even looked forward to something. I don't know if that's my depression or whether my brain just doesn't compute positive feelings.

I went to see a band recently in a large venue, the closer it got the more apprehensive I became. When we were seated and the auditorium was filling up I began to feel very agitated, at one point my heart rate was over 120. Ultimately the music was good and my wife and son enjoyed themselves.

I struggle with crowds and that general buzz of activity and chatter. I always thought it was because I was an introvert but it turned out to be more than that. I think I'm stuck in flight or fight mode.

Meds don't seem to be helpful to me but i having found exploring my struggles with a psychologist has been enlightening.

I'm also on the waiting list for an ADHD assessment which hopefully will explain a little more of why I'm the person I am.