Tell us a bit about yourself.
Hey, I’m Kai! I’m 19, I have ADHD, and I’m on the autism spectrum. My brain works differently, and that comes with a mix of superpowers and struggles. One of the biggest struggles is anxiety.
What does your anxiety look like?
Oh, anxiety and I go way back. My brain is constantly running, throwing “what-ifs” at me at full speed. You know that meme about 60 tabs open at the same time. And how about social situations? Stressful. Loud noises? Instant panic. Unstructured days? A nightmare.
Physically, it feels like my heart is racing even when I’m sitting still. My stomach flips, my muscles stay tense, and sometimes, I feel like I’m vibrating from the inside out. The worst part? People assume I’m “too sensitive” or “lazy” when anxiety makes it hard to function.
How do you manage anxiety?
People love to say “just relax”…like that’s so helpful. What actually works for me? Deep pressure, like weighted blankets or tight hoodies. Listening to music on repeat helps. Breaking tasks into tiny, manageable steps makes them less overwhelming.
Stimming is also a lifesaver. I know fellow neurodiverse friends find tapping and hair twirling helpful, but I’m a fidgeter. Is that a word? Fidgeting helps me stay grounded when my anxiety spikes. And I’ve learned to set boundaries. If something is too much for me, I’m allowed to say no. That’s made a huge difference for me because I’ve always been a people pleaser, too scared to let anyone down.
Any last thoughts?
If you’re on the spectrum and struggle with anxiety like me, you are not alone. I was realy amazed when I realised that anxiety and the spectrum often go hand-in-hand. Find something physical that helps you (like I can’t live without my fidget rings). Learn to set boundaries, and recognise your triggers for when you’re feeling overwhelmed. So like a bit of prevention and a bit of activity.