Anxiety

Autonomistic said:

I do think that is unnecessarily harsh.

That wasn't a harsh expression at all, at least not in my experience. It was even softened with polite words and written to encourage the OP to break the inertia abd start empowering themselves.

I was that age once and it is all to easy to allow procrastination to add to the difficulties when it all seems so overwhelming, so sometimes that little extra push said in the way a grandparent might is what it takes to take one little step of tracking down a book.

What they choose to do with it is down to them, but to be frozen in inaction needs our support and gentle prodding (this phrase for example) to begin the journey.

I suffer from anxiety too but I have found effective ways to tackle it and allow me to do things that were unthinkable at university age. I don't think hearing anyone say "here is a solution, just try it" to a 20 year old me would have stopped me asking for help at all.

Iain said:

So get off your bottom and start now would be my recommendation.

I do think that is unnecessarily harsh.

Severe anxiety is much more common within the autistic population. It can be hugely debilitating and resistant to standard treatments and therapies. Many of us have to endure and push through so much of it just to function on a daily basis.

For someone battling severe anxiety even posting here can seem like a huge step. I appreciate you're trying to help but I would hate for such a comment to prevent a struggling person asking for help on here.

NAS77108 said:

it will be my first time using these accommodations so I am anxious if they will work or not 

I would suggest contacting the uni and ask if you can be shown these places before the term starts so you can get a feel for them and know where they are if you need to use them.

There is no point in worrying about them now as you will only know if they work when you need to use them so only time will tell. In fact worrying about them in advance will only add to your anxiety so it is counterproductive.

NAS77108 said:

Do you know of any autism specialist therapists? 

There are loads - go to https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/counselling

Go to your region and in the top left there is a button called ISSUES - click on this and select Autism then repeat to select Anxiety as well - this will give you a good list of people with skills in these areas.

To select one, just look for one that appeals to you. If you can do the sessions online then you have loads more to choose from.

My therapist lives in Canada most of the year (good for my time zone here in Brazil) so I'm not sure she would be the best fit for you.

I have some accommodations-a quiet place sounds great though! However, it will be my first time using these accommodations so I am anxious if they will work or not 

Maybe try to speak to your Uni to get any accommodations that can help you? Like a quiet place to go when you get stressed, or sometimes you can get written notes before lectures so you feel more prepared etc… or whatever things would suit you. I hope things go well for you, I understand the fear, I’m having to take a year out to deal with mental health before going to Uni 

Thanks for the advice. Do you know of any autism specialist therapists? 

NAS77108 said:

Currently the thought of going back to uni is causing me to be very anxious and not sleep properly. 

Are you actively doing anything to learn skills to help with the areas that cause anxiety?

If you don't then this will be something else to get anxious about.

I strongly recommend reading up on it and setting together a schedule to work through your fears, preferrably with the help of a therapist.

Once you start to make progress then you will gain some confidence and it becomes a self reinforcing loop, and knowing it is working will help you sleep too,

So get off your bottom and start now would be my recommendation.

Hi,

Thank you for the recommendations! I struggle to be around so many people which leads me to isolate myself. However, this then makes me unhappy. I also stress about deadlines and doing the work. Currently the thought of going back to uni is causing me to be very anxious and not sleep properly. 

There is plenty of help if you are up for some reading:

For the anxiety issues:

From Anxiety to Meltdown - How Individuals on the Autism Spectrum Deal with Anxiety, Experience Meltdowns, Manifest Tantrums, and How You Can Intervene Effectively - Deborah Lipsky (2011)
ISBN 9781849058438

Asperger Syndrome and Anxiety - A Guide to Successful Stress Management - Nick Dubin (2009)
ISBN 9781843108955

Disjointed: Navigating the Diagnosis and Management of hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and Hypermobility Spectrum Disorder
ISBN 9781734794915

Self-Regulation and Mindfulness - Over 82 Exercises & Worksheets for Sensory Processing Disorder, ADHD, & Autism Spectrum Disorder - Varleisha D. Gibbs (2017)
ISBN 9781683730620

For the surviving in uni side:
Developing College Skills in Students With Autism and Asperger's Syndrome - Sarita Freedman (2010)
ISBN 9781843109174

You have given a fairly broad question so I'm giving a broad solution - can you articulate what issues you are having in some more detail so we can give a more targetted response rather than expecting you to read all the books please?

I know cash is tight as a student so you can get the books from research sites such as Library Genesis for free - just make sure you will be using them for research of course...