Sometimes, like maybe 1 out of every 10 days, I feel like I can cope with "life basics". Not easily, but I can keep myself fed, medicated, & in relative health at least without total panic and overwhelm.
But the second something is "out"... like I slept badly, or I have a headache, or I have to problem solve something, or if I'm hungry, or sleepy, or my foot hurts, or I have to get groceries, or I lose a comfort object, etc - anything that adds some "friction" to the day - and it's like all my skills disappear and I'm back to "not coping" (overwhelming, debilitating panic & needing a lot of support).
I am 30 years old and diagnosed with ASD lvl 2, ADHD, OCD, and cPTSD. I had a major regression 3 years ago and have been unable to work at all. I don't know when or if I will be able to return to work. My life has become pretty small, out of necessity.
I've tried soooooo hard through many years of therapy to "build tolerance", develop emotional regulation and communication skills, but I still hate myself for being so unable to cope with things that everyone else can cope with.
The fact that it *feels* like a full time job for me to keep up with the most basic of "basics", while people in my life have *actual* full time jobs, children, complex and busy lives... feels so shameful...
It makes me awfully ashamed and self-hating. I hate that I'm like this.
Right now I am doing ERP (exposure response prevention therapy) for my OCD around nausea and emetophobia and general health anxiety. It feels like ANY sensation at all in my body causes panic and overwhelm... Like for example if someone else was at work and felt hungry, and also had a mild headache, they would probably cope and not panic.
If I realise I'm hungry and I have a mild headache (or some other kind of pain), I'm most likely debilitated in bed fighting panic attacks and needing my partner to bring me food... You know what I mean??
How much can I realistically "build tolerance" and "learn to cope" if I have autism? Is it possible to ever "fully" learn how to "cope", and basically be able to "do life" like non autistic people?