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Making up problems

Expecto_Patronum

I'm not this is an autism thing, possibly more of an anxiety thing but I'm aware many people here also share this difficulty. I am terrible for making up something to be worried about and then it locking in as a problem and not being able to stop worrying about it.

Today someone in work made a suggestion they thought would be helpful. I said no but didn't explain why. The person didn't push it and that was the end of the conversation. But I've now completely convinced myself because I didn't give an explanation that tomorrow this suggestion will be forced upon me.

I'm aware this is ridiculous and a waste of energy and am making myself feel for rubbish for no good reason. I've tried so many things to stop my brain spiralling in these situations. I try to distract myself, I try to rationalise, I try to show myself there's more evidence against this thought, I've tried writing it down. I really don't know what else I could to stop these endless spirals. As if I don't already worry about enough of life without adding made up worries to the mix!

Does anyone else struggle with this? Has anyone ever found a strategy that actually works to stop it?

Parents Reply Children
  • in reply to Number

    Apologies to the MODS for my ordering of some letters, in a way that (phonetically) they can then be made to sound like a rude word,  on this 18+ only forum.  Understanding da RULES here these days, is a challenge for a simple autist.

    This place is STRICTER than the BBC these days!

    MY censored "vibe" above could alternatively be expressed as;

    a) "Next-level" messed up.

    b) "Next level" re-torted.

    c) "Next-level" problem.

    I was just trying to "connect" with my fellow autists, in a way that feels genuine and honest.

    Apologies for trying to do that in a way that was deemed inappropriate to da current management.

    Apologies for not giving ONLY bona fide advice from selected and approved NAS sources, rather than trying to be part of a community that can share and feel inclusive.

    Ta ta.

  • in reply to Number

    seriously tho' I agree with your analysis  

    It is perhaps rationalised from consideration that when one is vulnerable a lot of effort is expended trying to prevent future harm by predicting what might go wrong..

    Unfortunately this can become a self-fulfilling prophecy as one's behaviour can bias towards the likelihood of it occurring. 

    Furthermore there is a balance between worrying what will happen and actually being open to experiencing what actually is happening and what might be less traumatic future outcomes 

    This seems to be wrapped up with the need for predictability and problems with change that i personally experience in my own aspect of autism.

    maybe one day things will be OK :-)

  • in reply to Number

    "da da daaa, da didit didit didit da da da daaa - ONE STEP BEYOND..." - Madness :-)