Extreme emotions

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Hi,

I'm looking for advice on how to deal with extreme emotions. I don't mean mood swings, I just mean overwhelming feels that are difficult to separate from in a moment. It's usual some variation of anxiety+[swirl of negative emotion]. I'm not aggressive or anything. It's just like I implode and everything comes crashing in. It's not dissimilar from sensory overload in how it makes me feel, but it's emotional overload/traffic jam rather than sensory (obv if there's sensory components that makes it worse).

I'm in the process of trying to get help for my daughter who has similarities (but also differences) to me. I have a diagnosis, but she doesn't. I'm finding that my intense anxiety is making it difficult to get through appointments with health professionals who don't seem to understand how my autism impacts communication (which is unfortunate given that's kinda their job!). My psychologist said it's not uncommon for early intervention professionals to be a bit clueless as to how to deal with autistic adults.

My daughter's principal has offered to come with me next time, so I'm hoping that will work out. She said my daughter and I need an advocate, and I do trust her, so I'm hoping it'll help things to go smoother. My husband would help but he's so chill about everything he has a tendency to ignore the issues (he's equally concerned about our daughter, but has a bit of a "it'll work itself out" attitude, while recognising that clearly that attitude from my parents didn't exactly work out).

I'm wondering if anyone has tips for how to emerge from that overwhelmed, brain collapse mess space once you're in it? I usually need to be left alone until I can regain my head, but health professionals are busy and can be a bit impatient and rushing things makes it worse.

My psychologist suggested writing a card that I can hand you people that explains that I just need a moment, but I'd like to stop the anxious brain jam from occurring or from overtaking the appointment.

Hi,

Maybe this will help, maybe not:

Recently I had to have my car battery tested/replaced. Anything to do with my car is anxiety-provoking, but I also had to wait about 10-15 in the queue for it to be done. Anxiety + waiting = a challenging situation for me. I can easily spiral, my anxiety feels so overwhelming.

So as I waited, I just started counting random objects to myself:

“There are 5 vehicles in this parking lot. 3 are trucks, 2 are cars. Of these 5 vehicles, 2 are white, 1 is red, & 2 are gray.” Etc.

I like counting things. It gives my brain some “busy work” to distract from anxiety. The anxiety is still there, but not as intense.

There is another exercise you can try, which is to count 5 things you see, 4 things you hear, 3 things you feel, 2 things you smell, 1 thing you taste, etc.

It’s simple, but it’s not easy, especially when anxiety is wanting you to fight/flight/freeze.

Hi, I don't know, what do with extreme emotions, I also have a problem with it. It's little different than anxiety for me, I don't know describe it but I get into that state when I feel something is very badly. And only be moment alone don't help me because it may insist hours or days.

It happened a few times that I was not able to talk with my boss because of my emotions. I thought I'd for this cases into my laptop download some app for text to voice conversion. Now I don't need it because when he see I can't answer him, he tell I can send him e-mail. I am in this state not able to talk but I can write. Maybe you can be able write too.

Little help me St. John's wort, it happens to me less often.

With it, only health professionals can help and with the emotional support of your family and closest friends. You should trust them and talk about what's going on so that they may understand. It's like burning out your feelings.