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Highly_Autistic
Deinonychus
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24 Nov 2018, 7:18 am

Im 20 years old and im turning 21 in almost 1 month. I have aspergers syndrome, depression and severe social anxiety. Its very annoying to have a lot of mental illness. I feel like im the most useless person, im isolated from the real world.

I stay at home all day because there is no reason to leave house. Zero friends no education no job. Im high school graduate but i want to go to university next year, it seems impossible because of anxiety though. I go out rarely and now im mad.

I dont want to waste my life but i dont have any otuer option. I cant go out anxiety prevents me. So i dont belong to anywhere. Im forgotten



BeaArthur
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24 Nov 2018, 12:05 pm

Living with parents? Force yourself to go out WITH someone, as a crutch to your anxiety. When you shrink from the things that make you anxious, you actually feed anxiety. Your brain learns this: "____ situation makes me uneasy. I can spare myself that discomfort by avoiding _____. Uneasiness solved!"

You have to fight that.

I think you would benefit from some support services for young adults with aspergers/autism. Contact your local autism society.

I didn't say all this would be easy. It will be hard. But it's the way to a brighter future.


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Piobaire
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24 Nov 2018, 12:18 pm

Ditto what BeaArthur said; social anxiety is self-reinforcing; the longer you stay cocooned indoors, the harder it becomes to be around people, and the weirder you become.
Turn off the computer and go out into the world. It's never going to be any easier than it is today. Do it now.



puzzledoll
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24 Nov 2018, 1:06 pm

Look at going out like you would look at taking a pill for your conditions. If you don't do it, your symptoms will never improve. And don't try for a lot, especially not at first. Work on a trip to the store with your parents, or a walk around the block with one of them. Try just walking around on a local college campus (with a support person nearby or with you). Get USED to it. Make it a goal. It might never be easy, but it will help a lot of things if you can manage it.



superaliengirl
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24 Nov 2018, 1:26 pm

You can change anytime, there is always other options. I also have social anxiety and mild depression and I did not have any friends until age 20 I think. I made friends online (because I don't approach people in person) and I see them in person as often as we have the time and the money and inbetween that we text.

There is always reason to leave the house. Nature is beautiful and peaceful and can make you feel at peace. Take long walks and pay attention to every beautiful detail, decide to take some photos that way you have to pay attention to everything and it'll feel more exciting too.

If you can't get cognitive behavioral therapy for the social anxiety then you can push your limits yourself, after all that's what cognitive behavioral therapy is about - to do what you most fear until it feels comfortable. Start small and take it bit by bit, like go out walk around a little among other people and leave when it gets too difficult then next day try to do it for longer etc. It will give you confidence as well when you see it doesn't kill you. Unfortunately staying away from others and isolating yourself will 100% only make your social anxiety worse and you definietely don't want that.

You gotta start somewhere for anything to change and I believe you can do it. :)



nick007
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27 Nov 2018, 2:09 pm

Are you receiving any kind of treatment for your depression & anxiety like counseling &/or meds :?: If not, I would start by forcing myself to go out to see docs &/or psychs. Go with a parent if you cant go yourself. If you are getting treatment but it's only one of the things I listed either counseling or meds, try adding the other. it's going to take time but 1ce your depression & anxiety are better managed, you'd be able to start forcing yourself out more. It's going to be a very gradual process. Perhaps taking a benzodiazepine when your getting ready to go out would help ease you into it.


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shortfatbalduglyman
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27 Nov 2018, 11:20 pm

Friends, job, and school are overrated

You can live without them



auntblabby
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27 Nov 2018, 11:27 pm

life for jobless folk sans inheritance, gov't welfare or lotto winnings, can be pretty grim.



IstominFan
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28 Nov 2018, 10:38 am

I agree. I was pretty much housebound, except for work, for lack of a driver's license, until I was 48. It wasn't until I was 50, however, that my social life really began. I rejoined Toastmasters, began tennis lessons and began going to church and singing in the choir. All of these activities have been a source of enrichment for me.

Right now, I am working on activities that might help me to advance on the job. I have to find new ideas to help myself in that regard.