I have been struggling a lot with many things lately. I have been trying to say "yes" to more things like going out with friends during a time I wouldn't normally go out even though I am not busy. For example, I'd normally only go out on weekends. I have been trying to say yes to doing things more often during the week. Anyway, I have major issues with driving sort of. I can do it but difficult driving takes a lot out of me energy wise and stress wise. I asked my friend "When you drive to a place you haven't been to before, what do you do?" He didn't understand my question. I asked him again and all he said "Bro, what do you mean? I throw the address in the GPS and just go. What are you asking me?" Then it dawned on me that I am some sort of neurotic mess. I don't at all EVER just "pop the address in a GPS and go." I have to manually go on google maps and I follow the WHOLE path from start to finish in street view. I take note of any weird intersections or weird roadways. I scope out the parking lot of the location and I scope out their busiest times and their slowest times as far as crowds. THEN, I double check everything the night before the event and then I go. So I never ever just get up and go.I do this sort of thing with many many things in my life. I have this intense need to know how things will flow. I can't describe it. Its like I can never just do something. I always have to prepare. I felt terrible once I realized that my friend couldn't even grasp what I was asking of him because its such an alien thing that almost no one probably does. So I was effectively asking him to think like a fucking retard. What can I do? I am afraid to ask my friends more questions like this because now I fear the answer. I remember the utter look of confusion on his face because he really didn't understand what I was asking him because it was effectively retarded.
That kinda sounds like anxiety more than autism
>>34649774I think the way you asked your question was unclear and confusing. I don't think you're a retard for doing that and I also check the basic course of unfamiliar routes. I also wouldn't have understood that's what you were asking based on that question
>>34649810What is the difference between regular anxiety and an anxiety disorder?
>>34649836how often it happens, how long it lasts and how it seeps into everything you do. It's normal to feel anxiety sometimes, specially when trying new stuff, but not all the time, with everything you do.
>>34650041I would say it happens to me frequently unfortunately. If someone said "Hey man, we gotta go [INSERT EVENT HERE] next week." That would seemingly murder me. Its something about finding out I have to do something and then waiting for it to come around so I can finally get it over with. So basically what happens to me is that my mind basically pauses everything else and I can't help but think about the event that I have to do next week. I hate surprises but I'd almost rather people just spring shit on me instead. Because then I wouldn't have to be tortured by the waiting.
>>34650160>So basically what happens to me is that my mind basically pauses everything else and I can't help but think about the event that I have to do next weekYour brain is treating it like a life or death situation, you have to convince it that it isn't. Hanging out with friends shouldn't be stressful. It takes time and exposure but it's doable. I still have problems with anxiety, but something that helps is reassuring myself whenever I feel anxious, shit like:>"it's fine, I already checked the route twice, I can always check it again later">"if the parking lot is full I can always park further away and walk">"I double checked the door before leaving I'm positive it's closed"Try doing it with something small first and see if that helps a bit
>>34649774You sound like you have OCD.
