Daily Anxiety

[incognitocheeto]

First of all I'll start by saying that I do not have a diagnosis but I believe I am neurodivergent- I'm just not sure in what capacity.....

Does anyone else have extreme anxiety about things that to anyone else would probably just seem bizarre?

What has prompted this thread is that I have just sent an email to someone and I am now dreading the reply because I don't know what their response will be (could go two ways).

I know from past experience that when I see the reply email appear I will put off opening it, have to psych myself up to do so, and feel my heart hammering and start to sweat, feel physically sick etc at the thought of it.

This feeling of anxiety has held me back from so many things in life. I wish I could get rid of it - I've tried CBT which has had very little effect, anti depressants help a bit but it's still underlying.

I know this is obviously not "normal" but I'm just wondering if anyone else feels similar?

[TreesAtSea]

@incognitocheeto Yep, I'm like this too, including the email/phone call anxiety you mentioned. I've only started really looking into ND issues but so much is chiming with how I am.

[rainbowninja]

Very relateable @incognitocheeto, I also get very jittery before social occasions.

How old is your son? I have an 8 yr old daughter who also has some ADHD/autism traits but we’ve not gone down the road of seeking out a diagnosis yet.

[incognitocheeto]

waiting on a phone call sends my anxiety sky high too.

Same here - or waiting for someone to come round to the house. I'm almost shaking by the time they get there. I don't even think it's nerves but just anticipation?

[Whatsleftnow]

I can relate to the email dread. I sent a message to ds’ sna asking for a meeting and as soon as I sent it (but not at any stage when I was writing, revising and thinking about it) I got the dread. Had to psych myself up to open it.

I don’t understand why that happens. I’m actually really good at dealing with actual problems on the fly. I don’t understand why my emotions flip flop so dramatically.

waiting on a phone call sends my anxiety sky high too.

[incognitocheeto]

Thanks for the replies. Nice to know I'm not the only one.

I've used the online screening tools but I do find some of the questions just too general - like I'm not really sure of the answer?

My son is autistic and it took years of misdiagnoses to get there as I found filling in the questionnaires just so difficult. I just don't understand what a lot of the questions mean?

I have read a lot online about female ADHD presentation and I feel I fit the bill though.

Some traits of autism but not consistent.

[rainbowninja]

Similar here @incognitocheeto, it makes life just flipping awful sometimes.

I have a brother with an autism diagnosis and a sister recently late diagnosed with ADHD, it makes me think that I must be ND too but I don’t quite fit the bill for ASD or ADHD, I think you can have traits of both without meeting the criteria for either? Like you I just seem to have severe anxiety though.

I have found mindfulness helpful in the past too but am struggling with the practice at the minute.

I hope you find the talking therapy helpful and if you feel like neurodiversity is a possibility then it’s worth looking into, you could use an online screening tool?

[Clarice99]

@incognitocheeto

Thanks for replying.

All my life I've had a major tendency to avoid situations that I feel highly anxious in - I guess it's a form of self preservation. The issue is that it is often silly things like emails and phone calls that elicit this feeling!

After years of meds my GP has asked me to try talking therapy so I'm giving that a go and hoping I can get some answers. I've already broached the subject with her that I think I might be ND.

Avoidance can be a coping mechanism. In some areas of life, avoidance works, but if the avoidance is around work-related phone calls and emails, it could cause problems.

Ask your GP to refer you for an ADHD and autism assessment. Be prepared for a long wait though as the NHS waiting times, I hear, are horrendous.

I hope the talking therapy works for you and helps to alleviate some of your anxiety.

[incognitocheeto]

Thanks for replying.

All my life I've had a major tendency to avoid situations that I feel highly anxious in - I guess it's a form of self preservation. The issue is that it is often silly things like emails and phone calls that elicit this feeling!

After years of meds my GP has asked me to try talking therapy so I'm giving that a go and hoping I can get some answers. I've already broached the subject with her that I think I might be ND.

[Clarice99]

Does anyone else have extreme anxiety about things that to anyone else would probably just seem bizarre?

Yes, I can relate. Sometimes I am completely overwhelmed by anxiety and end up either having a meltdown or shutdown. It's hideous.

Trying to manage anxiety is incredibly difficult. The only thing that has worked for me is mindfulness - breathing and 'body scanning'. I didn't find it easy to learn mindfulness, but my perseverance paid off as it does work. Sometimes 😝

I have diagnosis for autism and ADHD (combined type). Anti-depressants have never helped me, the side effects are horrific. My GP is very understanding and trusts that I will not abuse the Diazepam that are infrequently prescribed when life gets too much to cope with.