Posted by PaulB on October 2, 2001, at 14:29:34
In reply to Re: Asperger's Syndrome, posted by Krazy Kat on September 30, 2001, at 11:06:11
> I will post a little later - have to think about it some because not sure I agree with him. Thanks for response.
>
> - K.Thats okay K. It was nice to hear from you. I hope you are okay. Aspergers Syndrome does require a diagnoisis by a psychologist which is what I would recommend. I have just finished reading the book by Tony Attwood and found it interesting and I found I could relate to some of the challenges and characteristics for people with the condition. In the area where I live there seems to be quite a lot of support. I went to the meeting I wrote about in the former post and met some people who had been diagnosed with Aspergers Syndrome. It was a group for younger people and there was a separate meeting for the parents too to give them the opportunity to discuss their son or daughters condition and also because some of their children did not feel comfortable going into the group. One of the challenges is that sometimes persons with Aspergers can have great ability and strengths so emphasis on treating the condition is not always the focus, rather it is essential to help people with Aspergers Syndrome live their lives and learn coping strategies. Attwood writes 'Their[Aspergers}cognitive abilities include an exceptional memory, enthusiasm and knowledge about their special interest, an original way of thinking, good imagination and remarkable ability to think using pictures. These qualities are not unique to the syndrome but are enhanced by it.'
Unfortunately it is all too common I think for people with Aspergers Syndrome to have co-morbid depression and anxiety problems. I mentioned that some of the people that evening had problems with social anxiety. Therefore use of the SSRIs is recommended and to my knowledge are the only class of medications currently indicated for Aspergers Syndrome although CBT is also indicated. I have just started to take a course of Fluvoxamine as I have a lot of problems with social anxiety too as well as generalised anxiety that can be unbearable at times. I would like to hear from you again K and if anyone else reads this post you too!
PaulB
http://www.tonyattwood.com
poster:PaulB
thread:11773
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20010927/msgs/12012.html