Autism and anxiety

Hi I’m new and I’ve been feeling really lonely lately with my autism and anxiety.

Parents
  • Does anyone struggle with germ anxiety, I overthink germs so much and it panics me and I wash my hands so much, I find it exhausting. 

  • Hi Casey.

    Yes, to some extent I do have a problem with germs and contamination. For example, if I ever have to use a bus or cab, I always make sure I have a shower later on just in case I was sitting where somebody a bit grubby was sitting. I also feel uneasy when I've shaken hands with someone, feeling compelled to wash my hands. It's the same with chairs. If I ever have to sit in a strange, dirty looking chair it makes me feel uncomfortable. I did shower every day when I was working as not doing so would make me feel tense when in bed and not being able to relax, even after a quick wash, however, now I'm retired that's not so much a problem as I don't come into contact with many people. I also used to hate having to go to work during very muggy weather because the shirt I was wearing seemed to cling uncomfortably to me, although I think that's more a case of touch sensitivity. Hospital stays are a nightmare too as if you're laid up and can't move very far you have to forgo washing for a while which makes me very tense. And as for using a bedpan - horrible!

Reply
  • Hi Casey.

    Yes, to some extent I do have a problem with germs and contamination. For example, if I ever have to use a bus or cab, I always make sure I have a shower later on just in case I was sitting where somebody a bit grubby was sitting. I also feel uneasy when I've shaken hands with someone, feeling compelled to wash my hands. It's the same with chairs. If I ever have to sit in a strange, dirty looking chair it makes me feel uncomfortable. I did shower every day when I was working as not doing so would make me feel tense when in bed and not being able to relax, even after a quick wash, however, now I'm retired that's not so much a problem as I don't come into contact with many people. I also used to hate having to go to work during very muggy weather because the shirt I was wearing seemed to cling uncomfortably to me, although I think that's more a case of touch sensitivity. Hospital stays are a nightmare too as if you're laid up and can't move very far you have to forgo washing for a while which makes me very tense. And as for using a bedpan - horrible!

Children
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