Struggling with anxiety

Hello everyone, I'm so glad I've found this community I've been desperately searching for an autistic support group for ages. I've been in mental health support groups, but I've noticed that neurotypical mental health is very different to neurodivergent mental health. I feel like I need a different community that actually understands autism and our particular needs. 

My anxiety has been flaring up a lot lately, I think it's because I'm dealing with a lot of change the last few months. Change has always been really difficult for me, but this year has been particularly hard. I don't know if it's because I have realised I am autistic or if I've just been overloaded this year. I am so worried that I'm going to have a bad meltdown or shutdown. I wish I could turn the anxiety off, it's just been too much right now. Does anyone have anything helpful they do when feeling anxious or overwhelmed?

Parents
  • Hello ihoardjars, welcome to the community here.

    For me, one if the best anxiety-busters is to pick a pastime which involves buy hands but a quiet brain - something like your crochet where you are operating on semi-autopilot and at the end if the session you have made some tangible progress.  Even if you don't feel like it - give it a go anyway and see how things pan out.

Reply
  • Hello ihoardjars, welcome to the community here.

    For me, one if the best anxiety-busters is to pick a pastime which involves buy hands but a quiet brain - something like your crochet where you are operating on semi-autopilot and at the end if the session you have made some tangible progress.  Even if you don't feel like it - give it a go anyway and see how things pan out.

Children
  • Hi Dormouse, I really agree with you about busy hands and quiet brain. I feel like I always need to be doing something with my hands. I am a big fan of tactile hobbies especially crochet, I'm currently working on a big blanket at the moment and it has taken me ages. Are you working on any crochet projects right now? Also, do you have any other hobbies you enjoy and keep your brain happy?