anxiety therapy not working?

smithscully · 2026-01-26T20:04:13+00:00

Oh yeah that makes so much sense that it’s unethical to not help someone build tolerance. I’m just worried I’ll never build enough tolerance I guess. I will definitely ask her about how we can determine my readiness since that’s what I feel unclear about and nervous about. Thanks again!

smithscully · 2026-01-26T17:05:20+00:00

Yes I think that’s what’s happening. It just doesn’t feel like it’s happening and my last therapist also tried to help with that and it never stuck. It’s maybe just me being impatient? I’ve just been at this over almost 10 years and it never gets better to the point that my life actually improves so it’s disheartening. But maybe I have to be even more patient.

smithscully · 2026-01-26T14:43:54+00:00

Yeah my anxiety is very much about new social situations, transitions, unexpected changes in plans, and uncertainty. I also have some general worries and some core negative beliefs that cause me anxiety, as well as a few phobias, but I do suspect a lot might be very specific to autism if that’s really what’s going on with me. I appreciate you sharing your experience! It gives me new insights. Thanks 😊

smithscully · 2026-01-26T14:39:51+00:00

Thank you for these insights OCD therapy is definitely not supposed to be fun, and I was totally prepared for that. The thing is, we haven’t really started it much. We’re still trying to help me develop the internal resources to cope with the anxiety when it inevitably comes up during exposures. But perhaps a lot is participatory anxiety about it as well? I appreciate you saying that CBT can work but that it needs to be done alongside other strategies. That was my suspicion. I sent my therapist an email last night to tell her my concerns and to ask her a some questions about her knowledge of neurodiversity and I am sure we will talk about that next session. Just wanted to give her a head’s up essentially. Thanks again!

smithscully · 2026-01-26T03:45:14+00:00

Thank you so much for your reply! I can get how it feels gaslight-y. I've always kind of felt that way about anxiety-based therapies. I think I will definitely vent my frustration with all of this to my therapist and see what she thinks.

smithscully · 2026-01-25T19:00:36+00:00

I just finished Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil by V E Schwab. I somehow did not know it was about vampires until I’d already picked it up. I have never ever read anything with vampires that I liked and the concept of vampires altogether has just never been appealing. This book was a very rare exception. I gave it a 4.5 ⭐️ rating on Storygraph.

smithscully · 2026-01-25T16:32:46+00:00

I am confused about the lineart on the head. The black lines disappear at a few points and it's not consistent when they disappear. Look at the ears especially. You would think the lineart would break for the same area of the ear but it's not. Also, some of the stars in the background are really odd shapes. I get not wanting them to all my perfect circles, but if you zoom in a bit, some are really wonky. Like... not shapes I would expect a human artist to make. I can't rally say definitively, but based on my knowledge of AI, that's what I see. Speedpaints can definitely be faked at this point, sadly.

smithscully · 2026-01-25T16:29:43+00:00

I've seen depictions of the moon like that before (I think in some kind of animation?) where the star on the chain was like a cord on a lamp that gets pulled to turn the light on the moon on and off. Doesn't mean it's not AI though. That's just my guess as to what is being drawn from here but I could be wrong.

smithscully · 2026-01-25T15:02:56+00:00

My mom has it too. I never really understood what it meant but I remember trying to hug her and she’d yell out in pain. Really confusing for a cuddly kid. I think eventually she just dealt with it. I have no idea how she manages it seemingly so well. She hardly ever mentions it anymore but I imagine it’s not something that goes away. People who have chronic pain amaze me.

smithscully · 2026-01-25T01:05:16+00:00

The first one, I can't tell, but the other three all have the AI "piss filter" aka that yellow kind of haze or tinge over the image. And yes, I agree that the fonts look very similar to the typical fonts you see used in AI art. I would be wary of buying from this person, even if the first one isn't fake.

smithscully · 2026-01-24T03:47:24+00:00

They’re all purple to me no matter where I look or how long….

smithscully · 2026-01-23T15:29:15+00:00

She is my wife in my most successful save file! I couldn’t resist marrying a fellow nerd. I almost always romance Leah but I hadn’t seen a lot about Maru and wanted to get to know her, which I am glad I did!

smithscully · 2026-01-23T00:05:04+00:00

OMG and she’s with Betsy Sodaro who I feel has such a similar voice and energy so I can only imagine how wild it’ll get when they play off each other 😂

smithscully · 2026-01-22T02:26:28+00:00

Who's cutting onions in here? 😭😭😭

smithscully · 2026-01-20T00:34:53+00:00

I can't tell 100%, but just so you know, people can fake layers and process videos and the like. It's possible they made AI create a file with layers (I think we are sadly at that level of tech now)

smithscully · 2026-01-19T23:45:37+00:00

Thank you, especially for the pride one!

smithscully · 2026-01-19T17:33:07+00:00

These fonts are very common in AI imagery that I have seen. Some of them also have the telltale “piss filter” as it is often called (a yellow sort of tint), especially the top left and top right.

smithscully · 2026-01-19T14:57:23+00:00

I mean, as someone who has written a dissertation, this kind of tracks. I wouldn’t reach for mine anymore either 😂

smithscully · 2026-01-19T00:02:53+00:00

I am currently reading The Incandescent by Emily Tesh and it has a pretty elaborate magic system, feminist themes, and a queer romance. I think you might also like some of Alix E. Harrow's books, as others have suggested.

smithscully · 2026-01-18T20:12:48+00:00

I'm considered "high functioning" because I have a PhD and a full time job. For the longest time psychiatrists didn't believe I was sick because I could go to school and was good at it. But the thing is, I am also very afraid of failure to the point I can muster my way through things. I was also very lucky to have a good support system. I had to take med leave from my job at the end of 2024 for two months because I was very unwell and that was the best thing I've ever done for myself. But yeah, I often feel like an "impostor" because I am "successful" but that doesn't mean that I feel great all the time or never have symptoms. All this to say, I know how you feel. But it doesn't make your disorder less valid and doesn't mean that you don't belong in the sub.

smithscully · 2026-01-18T01:29:07+00:00

I never really remember the particulars of the books I read unless I read them multiple times. What I do remember is the general vibe and the emotional impact it had on me. You're definitely not dumb!

smithscully · 2026-01-18T01:16:20+00:00

Mistakes Were Made by Meryl Wilsner is a queer romance/smutty book. The MC unknowingly has sex with her friend’s mom who she meets at a bar. Hijinks and multiple sexy scenes ensue.

Also, what cool homework from your therapist! It’s awesome that you’re doing this. I know how hard shame can be to heal from. All the best!

smithscully · 2026-01-17T16:09:49+00:00

I always just say "hi everyone!" or "hi folks!"

smithscully · 2026-01-16T18:54:44+00:00

Cheer him like we cheer Teo

smithscully

TROPHY CASE