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Struggling

Cinnabar_wing

So I'm trying desperately not to succumb to my flight response currently and stay on the forum. Thank you mods for your understanding and patience.

It's quite big for me, as last year it was part of the reason for quitting my last job, (along with working to complete exhaustion). We had a work Discord server which was 'the office', but my anxiety started spiralling, I started deleting my posts, removing responses, profile pics. In the end I had removed myself from 4 years of communications and gotten everyone worried. They tried to help but at I didn't know what was happening to me, I couldn't stop till I removed myself from the server entirely, unfriended everyone and quit. (I was hitting the wall that led me to discover I'm autistic). 

And I'm actually worse in real life when I've tried to have counselling, so I don't have a lot of options to stop the spiralling and improve.

I've had some good advice on how to do this from people here and lovely support, so I will try my best to overcome my reactions and fear as I know it's not good for me and it's only getting worse.

Thank you for your patience everyone, I'm not very good at this.

  • It's good to see you still here Slight smile

    Look after yourself Bouquet

  • I’m sorry that you are feeling so unsettled at the moment about being on here. Do you feel able to share what is troubling you about posting on here? I think you make such valued contributions on here so it would be a shame for you to leave. Having said that if you don’t feel it’s right for you at the moment you can always leave for a while and hopefully return when you feel more comfortable to do that? Do what feels right for you - and be kind to yourself whatever your decision. We will still be here for you if you decide to return. I can relate to having some disquieting feelings about sharing on things like this - sometimes it feels unsettling for me too. However I really value coming on here because I feel there are people on here who really understand how life is for autistic people and the extra challenges we face, and our different perspectives. Whatever choice you make it’s ok - just do what feels right for you and don’t feel bad about it. 

  • What everyone else has said. Please stick with us. I, too, find your contributions helpful.

  • I’m pleased that you are still here  

    Thank you for being open in expressing how things are for you. 

  • Hi  

    I'm not sure what's happened. 

    I'm pleased you are still here.!!

    Sometimes I see threads that I'd like to respond to but I know trying to formulate something would take too much out of me.

    Then I see your response and I think that's very similar to what I would have liked to say. 

    Thank you for being brave.

    I appreciate you.

    Keep being you.

    (⁠◍⁠•⁠ᴗ⁠•⁠◍⁠)⁠Heart

  • Hello, I'm pleased you chose not to hide. Slight smile

    Hopefully you will see that nothing bad happens when you speak. Gradually it should become easier. 

    Your imagined fear is worse than the reality. But fear is not logical once activated.

  • I also quite like listening to your advice and input so try to stick around Blush

  • Ah, that’s a shame, since I like having you on here. You always seem to have good advice and relate well with others here.

    I noticed that you were heavily involved in a couple of threads with a now deleted user that were pretty negative in nature. Could that be part of why you have had this flight response kick off? I personally try not to engage in threads like that now because I feel like I get too invested.

    Cinnabar_wing said:
    so I will try my best to overcome my reactions and fear as I know it's not good for me and it's only getting worse.

    That’s awesome that you are trying hard to work through it. I get that social media can be really tough to manage when social life in general is difficult, but it’s hard to get back what you delete.

    My advice is to not delete your account, but maybe consider a break? Then if you feel that you’re ready to return you’ll still have this profile to come back to.

  • Dear Cinnabar_wing,

    You are always welcome as part of the online community. Well done for not going with the flight response, it is very brave. I will pass on your thanks to the rest of the moderation team.

    Always reach out if you need support,

    Olivia Mod

  • I hope you get some rest and calmness and happiness.