Hi,
First time reaching out here. I’m in my late twenties, and was diagnosed with ASD more than 20 years ago, and OCD less than a year ago, so have been trying to understand the both of them the last few months. I’ve recently been having some serious disagreements with my parents, and would like to ask for help.
A major source of anxiety for me is climate change. I am always worried about the climate crisis, and it has caused several depressive moments because of how bad it’s getting. I’ve developed some intrusive thoughts and compulsions around this, and am trying to understand and stop these behaviours.
The main reason I’m posting here is because my parents have expressed a desire to go on holiday to Antarctica. Personally, I believe that Antarctica is an especially fragile part of the world, and as few people as possible should ever go there. I tried convincing them not to go, but they have booked it anyway, causing me even more depression and anxiety, as well as straining my relationship with them. They’ve apologised now that they’ve seen how badly I’ve reacted, but still intend to go since it’s booked. I am especially worried about how depressed I will get once they actually go on this holiday.
I’m not sure what to do now. I want to be at peace with my parents going on this trip, and really don’t want it to be a daily source of anxiety, but I can’t. Simply being told by my parents or someone else that I’m thinking irrationally and they are fully justified doesn’t convince me, especially since I don’t know anyone else who is in a similar situation.
I’m wondering if anyone here can offer advice? Has anyone been in a similar situation, or offer me advice on coping with this, either from the perspective of ASD or ASD with OCD? I really don’t know what to do now and my anxieties are only getting worse.
Thanks.
