Stressed out lately; really worried I'm falling apart
Pikachu4Prezident64
Butterfly
Joined: 5 May 2017
Age: 30
Gender: Male
Posts: 15
Location: Indianapolis, Indiana
I apologize if it seems like all I do is post on this particular Haven form any time I'm on here, but I'm starting to get worried about my state of mind. I've been stressed out about so many things lately that I'm worried I'm beginning to drive myself crazy or beginning to develop panic attacks, memory loss and the like. That's not even getting into being afraid of going out into public for fear I'll do something to piss somebody off or drive people away from me, or how I feel like I can't make any connections because I'm afraid of approaching anybody, or even how I can't bring myself to draw anything or play video games as often.
Then there's the stress of my social security court date, which I'm worried I'll flub up or I won't get it despite my best efforts to answer truthfully because we really need the money to stay afloat. I've also been trying to cope with handling puppies and that's not always easy since they don't always listen and I don't really train them as much as I should. They also drink a lot of water and I'm not sure if that's because they're bigger dogs and they really need a lot of it or if they have a disorder of some kind. I've also been eating a lot of sweets and unhealthy junk food lately and stress-eating, which I'm worried is affecting me to the point I'm going to eventually keel over from internal health issues (and it doesn't help that I haven't been able to go out to the gym at all).
I really don't know what I should do here. I'm really worried I'm beginning to self-destruct, I'm not really certain how to come up with solutions to these problems or how to cope with it all. I don't want to lose myself to all of this stress and depression. Please, I need some advice or some kind of help. I want to return to doing the things I love, enjoying life and not having to worry about everything going on around me so badly.
For people who have a disproportionate or undue tendency to stress out, a little bit of "f*ck it" goes a long way. Stressing can sometimes be the result of a subconscious choice, a mental habit.
A consciously cultivated rebuttal to an awareness of an existing tendency to place too much importance on things which don't deserve that importance may help balance this out. You acknowledge that you're a worrier, bring that into your awareness, and then decide you're going to cultivate a deliberate attitude of "screw this, I don't care," and move on.
Pragmatism may also help - methodically and systematically addressing the issues with calm and self-confidence, so eliminating any need for stress. The dogs for example - you may do some research online, look for possibilities about their water consumption (dog biscuits high in salt are often a culprit) consult a vet for an opinion, and proceed with whatever that opinion indicates. Acknowledge your tendency to stress-eat and bring that into your awareness just as a habit, and then decide you are going to consciously improve your eating habits, perhaps with some research and developing a new interest in food, cooking and nutrition.
You may prepare as extensively for your court date as you can, not out of stress but out of proactive initiative to be well prepared as possible, and therefore removing any reason for stress - you've done all you can. Perhaps you can consult someone at their office, or legal help if needed to make sure when the date arrives, you are prepared and have everything under control. In the event that things don't go your way, developing a contingency plan in advance about how you are going to address and deal with this may also help. Take things step by step.
I find action like this reduces the need for stress, both psychologically and literally. It gives you a structure to follow which you know is solving your problems. A plan of attack. Stressing won't actually help, so there is no point in doing it.
I know this may be difficult to do all the time, but even the attempt may take some of the pressure off. Stress can also be about feeling powerless or out of control. If you devise a good plan which increases the amount of control you have over the situation and gives you something to work with, the stress related to that may be lowered.
If obsessiveness is part of autism for you, countermeasures to reduce or at least manage the amount of obsessive fixation can work wonders. Distraction, primarily, I find. Focus your mind on something other than these narrow issues - life is broad and wide. Tunnel vision can make things seem way more stressful than they have to be.
I hope things work out for you!
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Alexithymia - 147 points.
Low-Verbal.
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