How to Live With Depression

 

A few weeks ago I discussed anxiety. This week I will discuss depression. As with anxiety, please seek out counseling if these methods presented here do not work. People with severe depression may need to seek the aid of a counselor.

This week's Support Group

 

This week the support group will be Saturday 5 September 2026 at 1:00 pm.  This week we will be meeting at the Eegees located at 243 E Speedway Blvd, Tucson, AZ The closest street is 5th ave. This week will be an open forum. We now have a Google Meet link for those that have an issue leaving their home. It will be up at this meeting. Please see this message's footer for the link. 


See you then

Regards, 

John

Support community location: 243 E Speedway Blvd, Tucson, AZ
Community Office Phone: (520) 314-6896
Community web site: www.tucsonautismadvocacy.org
Community  social   networking site: https://www.meetup.com/Tucson-Adult-Autism-Support-.
Google Meet link: To join the video meeting, click this link: https://meet.google.com/hnz-opbt-mos

Personal Development for Autism

 

One of the thing I do during the day is engage in personal development. Its not about really fixing myself, but more about learning accept myself.

For example, when life hits hard, I tend to not do well. I want to prepare myself for another event like this. So I picked up Russ Haris, M.D.'s book When Life Hits Hard. I have learned about the reputation of Dr. Haris  in my career as a mental health counselor. So I purchased his book. As a mental health counselor I also took two of his professional workshops and he is good at his work. He has a new workshop out on autism for professional counselors. Dr. Harris has published several self-help books like When Life Hits Hard. For those that might be interested in Russ Harris' work please click here.

Autism and Anxiety-How to Cope When Life Hits Hard

 

The number of people that are developing anxiety is increasing and more people are entering counseling because of it. This post is going to present some methods that might help those with mild to moderate anxiety. If these methods do not work or if you have severe anxiety, please seek out a counselor.

For those that have mild to moderate anxiety some approaches from a form of counseling called acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) will be utilized. ACT was created by Steven C. Hayes in the late 1980s. Two of the hallmarks of ACT is the inevitibility of human suffering and to stop struggling with that suffering. 

There are several methods that can be used, not to stop suffering, but to embrace it. One of those methods is to practice self-compassion. According to another well known ACT practitioner, Russ Harris, self-compassion is encapsulated in this sentence: "acknowledge your pain; respond with kindness."

Can you feel your pain? Do not engage in any distracting actions. Do not obsess about your anxiety. Feel the pain. Acknowlege it. Next respond with kindness. After feeling your pain, what kind words can you say to yourself? Do not forget to say some kind words to yourself. It could be something as simple as saying, "I am hurting; now I am going to say something kind to myself."

Another method is dropping anchor. Dropping anchor is a combination of meditation, movements and stretches. It's better to listen to a dropping anchor routine than read about it. If you are interested in listening to a dropping anchor routine, click here.

A final method is finding your values and creating behavioral goals for yourself. What are your values? Mine are family, knowledge, human rights, and justice; in that order. If you do not know what values you have, do some reflection. Again I ask: what are your values? Once you determine your values, create  a few  goals arising from each value. A goal-oriented life creates a meaningful life.

It is hoped these methods help with your anxiety. If not, please get counseling. A good counselor will not just offer mere advice, but give you tools that can help you live despite your anxiety.