Avatar Posted by williamc 387 days ago (Question)
I already have been diagnosed with General Anxiety Disorder, and Asperger's Syndrome. I also seem to have other problems that don't seem to fit under GAD. I seem to worry about minor things, and sometimes I worried about worrying about things. I also have another problem, I seem to be very obsessive, while not compulsive. I seem to obsess over things like my inability to find a job, or politics in general. With politics I am transfixed to the TV and I am unable to even think clearly on election day. When the results don't go the way I want them to I just flat out obsess over the result. On top of that I obsess over what people think of me, what I have said, and mistakes I have made in the past. I am desperately seeking for some form of normality and a simple explanation of what I have.


Answers

Written by Edahn 387 days ago Rating: 0 | Rate Answer: + -

Okay. I'm going to dig deep into my Buddhist treasure chest here.

Your problem has to do with letting things go. There's no real diagnosis for it because it's considered a normal part of Western life. People want things to go their way, and when they don't, they obsess and get frustrated, either with the outcome or with themselves, or both. If there was a diagnosis for this, it would be called attachment or thirst. It's the Second Noble Truth in Buddhism, and this is exactly the kind of stuff Buddha was talking about. Have you read about Buddhism? I can suggest a book if you'd like: The Wisdom of Insecurity by Alan Watts. It's phenomenal. The drive to achieve or make things permanent is part of animal (not just human) nature.

The solution to your problem has a few layers. In the end, it's letting things be the way they are and making a gentle but firm effort to improve them. But getting to that stage is tricky sometimes. Seeing as how you seem pretty intelligent, you can pick up some books and digest their teachings.

You can start to deal with the social anxiety by paying attention to it and not beating yourself up for experiencing it. The same goes for the worrying and the meta-worrying. (I do this too, by the way.) I'm a big fan of meditation as well. You can also check out Jack Kornfield's "Path with Heart." It's a really awesome book. Books on cognitive therapy and social anxiety might help too.

Written by williamc 387 days ago Rating: 0 | Rate Answer: + -

Sounds interesting, I just wonder what a psychologist would say. I have tried some yoga, don't think it worked as well as I would have hoped.

Written by Clyde 386 days ago Rating: 0 | Rate Answer: + -

Obsessive compulsive disorder can be just one thing--heavy obsessions or heavy compulsions, but they usually entail both.

You should try and find a psychologist nearby that you can discuss this with.

I hope it works for you.

Best,

Clyde

Written by Thornburg 376 days ago Rating: 0 | Rate Answer: + -

I read this and was very surprised. I own a small business that sells window treatments.

I'll post a link to this story on my blog...

Mort Chrisp


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