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Emotional dysregulation- advice desperately needed

NAS71657

I struggle terribly with emotional dysregulation- caused by specific issues. I suffer mentally and physically. I have no support network and cannot access timely support. GPs in my region know little about Asperger's and do not recognise adult ADHD. When I need to speak to someone knowledgeable to prevent my anxiety escalating there is no one. I am only given the number of the Samaritans etc. Sometimes I cannot get through on the helpline or it is closed during certain hours. Any ideas what I can do? I have a worry I have been brooding over all day and its getting worse.

  • in reply to Retired Teacher (NAS96182)

    Many thanks (from another retired teacher). I am trying one of the AI therapists. At least it helps me to focus on doing rather than thinking. I had some hypnotherapy earlier in the year when my difficulties with structuring and organising written language were again causing me great distress. The hypnotherapy quietened my mind and helped me to think clearly, but finding something that can stop the problem from escalating in the first place has always been frustratingly elusive. 

  • in reply to N A S 9 6 2 3 8 🤯

    As you say, different things work for different people. Hypnotherapy helped considerably for a time, but the holy grail is finding a way to minimise the effect of the triggers before things get out of hand.

  • Have you done an internet search for a free on-line AI therapists? Some of these are quite good. If you do look for an AI therapist, please make sure that it's one that was created by one or more actual therapists and that it's not just an AI chatbot that says that it's a therapist. 

    Here is an article by the APA, American Psychological Association about AI therapists. 

  • Me too! I think it's been getting better lately after a LOT of therapy, but it's so hard when stress levels rise. After a recent trip to the GP because of extraordinary stress (autism + pending major operation + family crisis), I have a prescription for beta blockers which I take occasionally when I feel that I'm getting too wound up. Personally, I'm finding that a fitness tracker helps me to see roughly where I am at, because otherwise I'm not particularly aware of how bad things are getting. I can then see when my heart rate isn't dropping to a reasonable level when I'm resting. I the sometimes take a tablet. When I'm really unwound I find the triggers don't trigger me to the same extent.

    Also, I've been going to the gym regularly again. Mentally that's good for me. I couldn't bring myself to go for ages because of COVID related worries, but I'm recently immunised so I think the risk is somewhat mitigated. I like focusing on the screen. It's a bit like a game for me - trying to get my heart rate in certain zones, and to match my cadence with the target for a chosen workout.

    I can't say that I've absolutely cracked it and I guess I will always remain vulnerable to triggers because the autism isn't going to go away. Different things work better for different people and I hope over time that you begin to find a few ways of dealing with it.

  • Hello NAS71657,

    I’m sorry you are going through such a tough time. You may to read about anxiety on our website. You could also search on the NAS website for information related to how you are feeling.

    Wishing you all the best,

    Karin Mod