I just need to say this...

Post Reply New Topic

I have been feeling really anxious and angry lately. I think it's mostly because I am realizing how far behind I am, academically, socially, and life-skills-wise. My mom has been pointing this out to me for ages, but I think it's finally sinking in. I have been more snappish than I usually am, and things that used to make me angry when I was little, are suddenly making me angry again. I am also having anxiety attacks on a regular basis. I am NOT having a good time right now .

It's not nice when your mum points out truths that you don't want to face. My mum was pointing out an obvious truth to me in the late 90s that I didn't want to hear. I wasn't ready to face that truth about myself, that I was like the most innocent and sensitive member of my favourite rock band. I've been facing that truth for over a year, now.

Try to find a release. Soemthing that you can do to get your mind off of it. Otherwise you will spin and stew and get more mad and anxious.

I been more stressed out at work. I lash out now. I yell profanity. I am sure it's not normal. I'm in my early 30s and I am a lady. But when I don't understand something at work, and no one wants to help me how else can I react?

You may need anti anxiety medication.

Also there are calming things yuo can do but often its not enough to beat fully fleged anxiety and anxiety attacks. I hope things work out for you.

How hard is your school load? I found this year that I was practically going berserk with anxiety over some of my more challenging assignments. This year was an anxiety-ridden hell for me at school, and I came very close to crashing and burning as a result, so I know what you're going through.

As mentioned before, consider medication, consider a release (ie, going for strolls in a quiet place to get your head together). Also consider counseling. If anything, I find that having someone to talk to about your anxiety can be therapeutic in and of itself, as it gives you the opportunity to rationalize, understand, and, in the process, think of ways around your anxiety.

You worry too much. Your anxiety brings more anxiety in your life. Just relax. You aren't behind. Do what you enjoy doing and know that everything will be okay. Trust me. There is really nothing to be anxious about.

Remember that aspies mature more slowly - what other people are picking up automatically, we're taking time to learn. I've struggled with feelings of being "behind schedule" with various life goals, but I've had to learn that life is long, and I can take my time. I'm not racing anybody but me. It's harder to see that at school where everyone is regimented by grade, but as an adult you'll see people of the same age who are in completely different places - studying, travelling, working, having various stages of relationships in whatever order suits them at the time.

I've also had problems with anxiety attacks, and I needed to talk to a good, sympathetic therapist about it. It was my body's way of telling me I wasn't coping, and I learned to my surprise that I didn't have to be alone, or invent a solution from scratch when I could talk to a professional who could give me advice and help equip me to cope. Just having someone to vent to and talk to who won't judge you is a major asset.

Good luck, and take care of yourself.

Wow, thanks for all the responses!! I am definitely feeling better this week (although that was somewhat dampened by the fact that I got my grades for last semester, and, in spite of putting all my focus into academics, they still weren't very good). I go to a really hard school, so my classes are pretty challenging. I am definitely smart enough to do the work - I just don't have very good organizational and time management skills. My parents have ordered me this book (http://www.jkp.com/catalogue/book.php?i ... 4310-201-3), which I'm hoping will help me.

I am cautious about going on antianxiety meds, as I have heard that they can become addictive. I am on antidepressants and ADHD meds though (and I know the latter can cause anxiety). I have been seeing a counselor for a year and a half - I should probably tell her more about my anxiety at this week's session (I generally talk about other things with her).

BluePuppy, your response (especially the first paragraph) gives me a lot of hope!