• Replies 6 replies
  • Subscribers 81 subscribers
  • Views 138 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

Solipsistic anxiety *trigger warning*

Reddragon84

Hi guys,

Im 41, diagnosed as AuDHD at the age of 35 in 2019 after 35 years of feeling like different and not knowing why.

Its been a rough 3 months or so for me stress wise - but 2 months ago I suddenly got anxious that nobody "exists" other than me - I already knew about the mindf**k philosophical theory of Solipsism - but it hadnt bothered me - but suddenly after a period of stress, physical health issues and having to put my Border collie down - Ive had really crippling anxiety - worrying that nobody "exists" except me and Im all "alone" in my "own" Universe - Being Autistic I have "felt" like that from time to time but not to the extent it was giving me crazy levels of Anxiety.

Seen my GP, who referred me to the CMHT, who say they "cannot" help me as my anxiety has its "basis" in my Autism - they believe my anxiety is "Autistic looping & rumination"  - So Im now on a potential 6 months long waiting list for support from the local Autism support service.

Ive been told that Solipsistic fears is quite common in Autistic individuals - something I did not know.

I understand that a Solipsistic belief is selfish, self obsessed and self centered - but my neurodiverse mind is full of "What Ifs?"  What if Im the only consciousness?  What if my Mum, Dad, siblings, friends dont exist? What if nobody else exists? and it gives me panic attacks and anxiety - I want to let these sticky intrusive thoughts go, but its very difficult, especially at the moment.

Any advice from others (who Im pretty sure exist) of how to overcome this particular anxiety?  

Thanks

Parents

  • I'd not heard of it.

    But if you are the only one why would you be anxious? Everyone around you is a projection or a dumb robot, so it doesn't matter what you do. Who is going to judge you - only yourself.

    You are the only one who can decide, so I suppose that adds some pressure if you are worried, but worried about what?.

  • in reply to Stuart333

    The fear is being completely alone as in LITERALLY ALONE, nobody exists but you - Ive just seen a therapist who specialises in Autism - she says Im "disassociating"  - It helped to be told Im not crazy in any case.

  • in reply to Reddragon84

    Dissociation is strange. The exact experience can be different for each person, but is a stress response.

    I have felt I was there but things didn't seem quite real. It is not obvious what is wrong. I don't want to say like a dream as it was much more real than that, more like it was a kind of simulation.

    I can't say I've ever felt there wasn't anyone else, just that I was in a different version of the world, but I would eventually get back to the real one.

    I didn't feel particularly anxious about it just confused.

    Do you think it is revealing some deeper fear?

Reply
  • in reply to Reddragon84

    Dissociation is strange. The exact experience can be different for each person, but is a stress response.

    I have felt I was there but things didn't seem quite real. It is not obvious what is wrong. I don't want to say like a dream as it was much more real than that, more like it was a kind of simulation.

    I can't say I've ever felt there wasn't anyone else, just that I was in a different version of the world, but I would eventually get back to the real one.

    I didn't feel particularly anxious about it just confused.

    Do you think it is revealing some deeper fear?

Children
No Data