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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've absolutely had this strongly at various points in my life, I'm guessing it was a response to stress. To be honest it's still something I ruminate on now and again and have come to the conclusion that there isn't a way to think it through logically to either confirm or debunk this idea.


    However, I have come to the conclusion that ruminating on it is not a productive or useful thing to do so I try to avoid doing so (which is quite difficult!). I've found that hikes out in nature really help me. It's strange in a way because out hiking I do tend to be in my own head but somehow I have to go through this in order to come out the other side of it. Being somewhere with lots of people does not help for me at least! 

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  • I've absolutely had this strongly at various points in my life, I'm guessing it was a response to stress. To be honest it's still something I ruminate on now and again and have come to the conclusion that there isn't a way to think it through logically to either confirm or debunk this idea.


    However, I have come to the conclusion that ruminating on it is not a productive or useful thing to do so I try to avoid doing so (which is quite difficult!). I've found that hikes out in nature really help me. It's strange in a way because out hiking I do tend to be in my own head but somehow I have to go through this in order to come out the other side of it. Being somewhere with lots of people does not help for me at least! 

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