Covid/OCD/autism update

[@tacosupreme5366]

The way you push through your life's challenges is so inspiring to me and I want to thank you for having this channel and just doing what you do. In the last few months you've inspired me in several ways that have changed my life. And I don't find myself inspired to change often. In fact I don't think I've ever been so open or inclined to accept change before. You're an absolutely gorgeous person. One of a kind and irreplaceable. I wish you and your family "happy holidays". I love you very much. Please stay safe and keep the videos coming. :)

[@welcome12ization]

Thank you so much for your kind words, they are really lovely to hear, and I'm so glad my channel has been helpful for you :) Happy holidays to you and your family :)

[@nerfhearder7093]

Thanks

[@gmlpc7132]

Have a good Christmas Anna and thank you for all your videos and insightful words this year!

[@welcome12ization]

Thank you, happy Christmas :)

[@evanmbxx8897]

🎄🎁🎄

[@gmlpc7132]

Similarly to you I also have anxiety and OCD though my OCD is predominantly about checking things / security issues. Like yourself these worries have been present for decades and I don't think they will ever go away because they are wrapped-up with who I am and very probably with autism. This is one reason I don't seek therapy / medical help for them but another is a worry that I'd just be told my worries are not serious or disabling enough to qualify for a diagnosis. In other words there is anxiety about whether I would get an anxiety diagnosis! I'm sure there are many others in similar states of mind who just learn to manage and work around anxieties, feeling the frustration but just learning to live with it.

[@gmlpc7132]

Another point for me is that because so many of my worries are so bizarre and irrational I feel reluctant to tell anyone about them, especially people I know. Others may have this problem where they fear confessing certain worries will make them look "weird" or even ridiculous. As regards people I know (and there aren't many of them!) I am reluctant to discuss worries because I fear I'm burdening them as well - that they will feel obliged to offer help or will worry about how I'm getting on. I suppose a lot of us keep worries, negative feelings, depression, etc under wraps for these reasons. Generally it is better to tell but often very hard to do so.

[@welcome12ization]

Yes I feel the way anxiety is pathologised is not always helpful. Anxiety is a normal human state but can be extreme in those with a neurological (often genetic) vulnerability to excess worry. I think that there should be much more long term support to help people manage anxiety, but at present it's treated as an illness, and as such, you have to pass a particular threshold before you get given CBT (a short term fix that does not solve the deeper issues). So people are left to struggle on their own because society is unwilling to finance the longer term support people often need. I hope this changes.

[@gmlpc7132]

@@welcome12ization Psychological problems are very deep-rooted and genuinely difficult to tackle. As you mention there is a need for long-term support but unfortunately it's rarely provided. For all the platitudes about "taking mental health seriously" those with such difficulties often have to struggle alone or maybe get some informal support from family or friends. That support is often haphazard and while some of it is very good there are times when there is no substitute for expert help.

[@garyfrancis5015]

It is sad,I'm lucky I haven't got the contaimation OCD problem I like watchimg my hands put I don't think about germs after that. So it is sad hearing that and on the podcast from you. So me this pandemic gave me a new phobia. Thrakaphoid , death anxiety, fear going to sleep for a monh feeling like deep sleep was death. I blame this pandemic I never though abut death as much this year with the pandemic. The unknown scares me but if I believe there is nothing after death. Then strongly belive I know scares me. I can't and million who have died of old age and before that. I feel that religion and reincarnation is to give people comfort in the moment of death. I want to believe in after life. |But as Ricky Gervais said in his podcast, "I can't belive what I don't believe". Also, To see my family and friends again who have dead and want it be true that I'll meet again someday but repeating "I can't believe what I don't believe". So I get death anxiety. Then I say it's doesn't matter this virus goes away I still wont be safe from death in the long run.As I put on my facebook post. I can vaccinated for 50 difference illnesses to won't make me immortal, science in 2020 giving us longevity but not immortality. Francis Bacon said Begins birth then death. then middle the violence of life. "We don't fear COVID we fear the though of death" and BBC news are milking our death fear with the reporting. The problem is tier 4 bored see BBC news COVID news anxiety so addictive.

[@welcome12ization]

It's very hard at the moment, all I can say is you are not alone, it's very difficult.