So, I’ve been dealing with this whole anger thing for a while now, and it’s been a real pain. Turns out, it’s pretty common for folks on the autism spectrum. It’s like this constant simmering feeling, you know? Always on the edge.
I started noticing it a few years back. Little things would set me off, things that wouldn’t even register for other people. Like, if someone interrupted me while I was hyper-focused on something, I’d just snap. It wasn’t pretty.
What I Did:
- Recognized the problem: First, I had to admit that my anger was, well, a problem. It wasn’t just “being passionate” or “having strong opinions.” It was hurting my relationships and making me miserable.
- Kept track: I started keeping a journal. Not like a “dear diary” thing, but more like a log. Whenever I felt that anger bubbling up, I’d write down what triggered it, how intense it was, and what I did in response.
- Identified triggers: After a few weeks of this, I started to see patterns. Certain situations, certain people, even certain times of day seemed to make things worse.
- Explored coping mechanisms: This was the trial-and-error phase. I tried a bunch of stuff, some from articles I found, some just random ideas. Deep breathing, counting to ten, taking a walk – you name it, I probably tried it.
- Figured out what worked: Not everything worked, obviously. But some things did help. For me, it was about removing myself from the situation whenever possible and engaging in activities that helped me regulate my emotions, like listening to music or spending time in nature.
It’s not perfect, not by a long shot. I still get angry, sometimes really angry. But I’m better at managing it now. I can usually see it coming, and I have a few tools I can use to keep it from exploding. It’s a work in progress, for sure. But at least now I feel like I’m driving the car, instead of the anger being in control. It’s a long road, but every little bit of progress feels like a huge win. I’m just taking it one day at a time, one step at a time, and hopefully, things will keep getting better. It’s tough, but I’m tougher. Or at least, that’s what I keep telling myself. And hey, if I can get a handle on this, maybe anyone can.
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