Relaxation Techniques?

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Hi, I am a diagnosed, 17 year old male Aspie. In a few days, I'm flying interstate (Just north by one) to stay with my uncle. I am going to deliver flyers for his business for three days and get paid $500. Good. He is fun to be around, and although his partner is hard to take she's at least friendly. I've stayed with him before and enjoyed myself.

But I am so nervous, I am panicking. I had at least one Panic Attack last night (Awful) and could not sleep, the only way I could relax was by telling myself that I wasn't actually me, I was someone who just had to manage my life (I can get delusional sometimes) which helped, but I still hardly slept at all.

I can sometimes get very paranoid, and depressed. I begin to think people are watching me, then I have no energy, can hardly interact with people and kind of die for a day or two. I struggle to talk, and can often find myself sitting in the same position on the floor for ages. My thoughts get worse, I can't think, the voices in my head get worse (Read: Get louder) and suddenly the world isn't making sense anymore. I'm a little worried this will happen when I'm with my uncle, but I think I can push through. So I don't have a major reason for being this stressed, I'm always anxious before doing something different, but this is worse.

I sometimes feel like my anxiety is getting worse. Which is strange.

I have a few relaxing techniques to calm myself down (Hot shower, video games, reading) and remove me from the situation, but it never quite goes away. I'm not looking for ways to help me, I was just wondering about other peoples methods for calming down when they are anxiety-stricken.

Thanks
-Pietus

i like to go for walks.

Have you seen a therapist about these issues? It sounds like you have a lot of things going on, and not just anxiety, that a therapist could help you with, especially as you mention that it seems to be getting worse.

What about listening to an mp3 player or ipod? I find that helps, especially after being in a stressful environment?

I've learned some techniques to help with a variety of situations which might cause me to be a bit anxious. I've mostly used FasterEFT (can't post links since I'm at fewer than five posts.) I first learned of the tapping process from a Psych prof in university; and

Inner Influencing

Other approaches I've used: Tapas Acupressure Technique

Pipe Breathing and other exercises part of Eiriu Eolas.

I've also found certain essential oil blends help deal with the stress of making phone calls at work.

Hope you have a great time, Pietus!

But for coping strategies, there are a lot of different things I do. There is the classic deep breathing where you sit down, close your eyes, and focus breathing slowly and deeply from your abdomen. If your stomach rises with each intake of air then you are breathing from your abdomen, but if your shoulders are going up then you are breathing from your chest and I find that it makes me hyperventilate if I do that. Until recently, deep breathing didn't help me at all, but then my therapist told me that it is helpful for some people to imagine breathing in a color that they like and breathing out a color that they don't like. I have found that this strategy helpful but I use textures instead of colors.

Positive self talk can be very helpful but make sure it is actually positive. Instead of thinking "I'm not actually me" you might want to try saying something like "I can flow with this and get through" or something of the sort.

Then there are sensory calming things such as using a weighted vest, swinging, and such.

Then there are things I do to just destract myself like watching TV, listening to an audiobook, doing a puzzle, or playing on my ipad.

But what I actually do really depends on the specific situation I am in at that moment. Sometimes something will work in one situation and then in another situation it doesn't help one bit. Somethimes it even makes it worse.

This situation would stress me out too. I think you're great for agreeing to do it, even if you do get paid. If nothing else helps, maybe you can try watching a movie that usually inspires you, just before you set out. Great idea about the self-talk too. I sometimes do the same... It's all about de-escalating the pressure. Whatever happens, it's not the end of the world.

I get the feels, I'm 17 and feel very similar. Panicking is a big think something I do allot if it be due to anxiety or depressive thoughts. I'm yet to find an effective method but certain things such as going though my thoughts, thinking about things that make me feel happy, dreaming about what I do want to do and things like video games (act's as a distraction/fun) Is as good as I'v gotten. It's only when your truly happy you can effectively be relaxed or content and I know when I am which is rarely current that it feels great. I'm sure you will be just try and enjoy the company of your uncle and if you need to tell him that you are a little troubled.

Sounds like you've got a good handle on it actually. I think most of us get anxiety over stuff like that. We moved to another state recently and had tons of anxiety over that, even though have loved the move. And I'm kinda jumpy and paranoid feeling in my very new environment. It's gonna take a while before I'm completely relaxed.