Psycho-Babble Medication Thread 87154

Shown: posts 1 to 25 of 40. This is the beginning of the thread.

 

Asperger's disorder

Posted by Elizabeth on December 16, 2001, at 23:15:18

Hi folks. Does anyone here know anything about Asperger's? I've read about it, and it's been suggested that I may have a "mild" form of it, but I'm sort of confused as to what it means! It's not a "popular" dx like ADD, especially in adults, so most pdocs don't bring it up, but I'm curious about it. What about treatments -- are there any?

TIA,
-elizabeth

 

Re: Asperger's disorder » Elizabeth

Posted by JahL on December 16, 2001, at 23:56:35

In reply to Asperger's disorder, posted by Elizabeth on December 16, 2001, at 23:15:18

> Hi folks. Does anyone here know anything about Asperger's? I've read about it, and it's been suggested that I may have a "mild" form of it, but I'm sort of confused as to what it means! It's not a "popular" dx like ADD, especially in adults, so most pdocs don't bring it up, but I'm curious about it. What about treatments -- are there any?

Hi Elizabeth. Don't you have a SO? Aspergers sufferers have great difficulty forming relationships.

This link explains how ADD dxs can sometime be reclassified as Aspergers:
http://www.udel.edu/bkirby/asperger/

IMO 'mild Aspergers' could be the psychologist's description of social anxiety (I score quite high on the diagnostic criteria but I'm not Aspergers), which is of course treatable with drugs, whereas Aspergers is presumed not to be (other than by intensive therapy).

Because social phobia can result in many of the 'symptoms' of Aspergers (averting the gaze, disinclination to construct friendships etc), I inquired about this Syndrome. Both pdocs I asked were pretty cynical, saying that whilst it may exist, it is to social phobia what 'personality disorder' is to chronic depression (ie a psychologists explanation, or one of a pdoc who is unable to treat successfully).

I'm sure you already know this but Aspergers are often of well above average IQ ;-)

J.

 

Re: Asperger's disorder

Posted by Augusta on December 17, 2001, at 0:03:09

In reply to Asperger's disorder, posted by Elizabeth on December 16, 2001, at 23:15:18

Hi Elizabeth,

I don't know a lot about Asperger's disorder but not long ago I did do some research on it because a friend's young son appears to have it.

One lay definition of A's disorder is "high-functioning autistic." People with Asperger's syndrome have great difficulty in social interactions for a variety of reasons. One is that they are unable to "read" social cues from others and therefore they constantly make social errors of varying magnitude.

Another facet of this syndrome is (usually? always?) that the person has extraordinary memory capabilities. My friend's child, for example, can watch a cartoon show on TV once and then repeat everything that happened and was said in it verbatim. That is a very typical A's feature.

* * *

Elizabeth, I must confess -- this is not related to A's syndrome -- that I have noticed the intelligence, knowledge and clarity that you bring to your many posts on these two boards. For that reason I have been curious about you and hoped to have a chance to get to know you. I am at kodstair@hotmail.com if you are willing. :-))

(Of course, to anyone else who might read this post, I want to stress that in general I have been very impressed with the quality of both the posts and the posters at this site. I count myself lucky to be able to be here among so many intelligent and caring people.)

 

Re: Asperger's disorder -- redux

Posted by Augusta on December 17, 2001, at 0:12:38

In reply to Re: Asperger's disorder, posted by Augusta on December 17, 2001, at 0:03:09

This OASIS site seems to be one of the major stops in any effort to obtain information about Asperger's disorder -- http://www.udel.edu/bkirby/asperger/index.html


(Can links be posted here directly? I'll give it a try and then I'll know. ;-)

- - - > < a href="http://www.udel.edu/bkirby/asperger/index.html" >OASIS< /a >

 

Re: Asperger's disorder -- redux » Augusta

Posted by JahL on December 17, 2001, at 0:20:41

In reply to Re: Asperger's disorder -- redux, posted by Augusta on December 17, 2001, at 0:12:38

> This OASIS site seems to be one of the major stops in any effort to obtain information about Asperger's disorder -- http://www.udel.edu/bkirby/asperger/index.htm

Whoops. I'll have to vet my stuff more carefully. First thing to come up on the search. Only posted 'cos it has the diagnostic criteria.

J

 

Re: Asperger's disorder » JahL

Posted by Augusta on December 17, 2001, at 0:30:56

In reply to Re: Asperger's disorder -- redux » Augusta, posted by JahL on December 17, 2001, at 0:20:41

JahL,

Why "whoops"? Perhaps I expressed myself clumsily -- I meant to say that OASIS seems to be one of *the* big sources of information for this topic on the Net.

Actually I did not see your citation / link until after I had posted mine. I wonder what it means that both of us gave the exact same site?? -- that it's one of the biggies, I guess!

 

Re: confusion » Augusta

Posted by JahL on December 17, 2001, at 0:45:49

In reply to Re: Asperger's disorder » JahL, posted by Augusta on December 17, 2001, at 0:30:56


> Why "whoops"?

It's the old transatlantic language confusion thang again (I'm UK). Plus it's 6:40 in the morning here, I'm yet to sleep & I've been 'smoking' for England all day %^)

By 'stop' I thought you meant 'obstacle' (in obtaining info). Thought maybe it was one of those crackpot sites like Benzo ******s (not going to give them any free advertising).

> Actually I did not see your citation / link until after I had posted mine. I wonder what it means that both of us gave the exact same site??

I only looked at it quickly but it seemed to be pretty informative and thorough and it tallied w/ everything I'd heard & read. Good to know I was right :-)

J.

 

Re: Asperger's disorder » Elizabeth

Posted by IsoM on December 17, 2001, at 1:27:43

In reply to Asperger's disorder, posted by Elizabeth on December 16, 2001, at 23:15:18

hi Elizabeth. My 26 year old son has Asperger syndrome - I can speak from personal experience about it. He has definitely been different from my other two sons & very difficult to manage when he was young. Doctors & psychologists told me I was imagining his behaviour & exaggerating it too.

When he was 22, I read an article in the Scientific American on Asperger by Uta Frith (one of the best authorities on it) & I recognised what he had. We made an appointment with a psychologist who tests & deals with autism & Asperger. The testing was pretty expensive but I'm glad we did it. My son was very glad too. As he said "it helps to put a name on it & to know it's not my fault I act different."

Asperger people tend to have a slightly above to way over genius level. The psych who did the testing told us that my son had an IQ of 1:10,000 people - way over genius level. Because he's so bright, he's learned how to act around people - more by rote than just acting naturally.

If you have Asperger, even mild, you'll know by a few things.
When you're around others, even one or two, you can't "read" their moods or expressions well. You're not sure of all the body language cues unless you're really trying. What comes natural to most without even thinking about it, isn't even noticed by people with Asperger.

You'll feel emotionally remote from others, not being able to really share in their feelings or moods. My son has terrible trouble interpreting small facial gestures. If a person was to grimace or frown or raise an eyebrow in disbelief, he doesn't even see these things. People with Asperger can have a sense of humour & wit but not about people's nature - they just don't "get it". When they find something funny, they'll be amused & smile but rarely laugh - their facial "language" is stiff & expresses little, like a poker face almost.

You may have some Asperger traits but as my son, the psychologist, & I all said, having some of those traits are good. It tends to make a person more logical & open, as they don't play mental games with other people. they simply can't.

Because you converse so easily here in the forum, I highly doubt you have the syndrome, maybe just some of the traits. The psychologist said my son's Asperger is either fairly mild or he's trained himself so well not to show it. But it would be impossible for him to ever go on a forum & "converse" with others. Even dealing with people on the phone is extremely difficult for him.

The brain is hard-wired in a person with Asperger, there's no treatment for it, only treatment for some of the problems that come with it such as depression, anxiety, & panic disorders. These people are so bright that they're fully aware they're different & don't fit in easily. It can often lead to depression & panic in groups where they literally don't know a lot of what's going on, being unable to socially "read" what people mean.

Sorry for such a long post, but it's not easy to put the symptoms in a nutshell.


> Hi folks. Does anyone here know anything about Asperger's? I've read about it, and it's been suggested that I may have a "mild" form of it, but I'm sort of confused as to what it means! It's not a "popular" dx like ADD, especially in adults, so most pdocs don't bring it up, but I'm curious about it. What about treatments -- are there any?
>
> TIA,
> -elizabeth

 

Re: Asperger's disorder

Posted by christophreJMC on December 17, 2001, at 1:43:42

In reply to Asperger's disorder, posted by Elizabeth on December 16, 2001, at 23:15:18

It has been suggested that I, too, may have a mild form of Asperger's. There is no concrete definition, but some common symptoms. There really is no medical treatment, but I know of a few who benefit from psychotherapy. Depression can be quite common in adolescence, probably due to social isolation & alienation. Even if I don't have Asperger's, I've found that some of the techniques used by aspers have been very helpful for me (especially with school and social problems). If you find any good information, please share it -- I would be very interested.

Christophre.
P.S.: http://www.autistics.org is a pretty good website written by a high-functioning autistic

 

Re: Asperger's disorder

Posted by NikkiT2 on December 17, 2001, at 6:41:23

In reply to Re: Asperger's disorder » Elizabeth, posted by IsoM on December 17, 2001, at 1:27:43

I have a friend with aspergers... He is fine on line (but often crosses "lines", as he doesn't seem to know limits on what he says) and all his friendships are on line. He just can't function around people in reality... He has no idea on how to interact with them!

He is on an AD for underlying depression, but hasn't been given any other options as he won't see a different doc and try to push for help.

My nephew is severely autistic, and has recently started at a "special school" where he gets alot of individual attention and help and the changes in him are amazing - he will now interact with peopel to let them now of his needs and wants (which had never happened before) and I got my first cuddle off him when we visited a few weeks ago (he's 8!).
So, Iw ould think that some behavioural type therapies would be of some help.

Nikki

 

Re: Asperger's disorder

Posted by borderliner21 on December 17, 2001, at 13:03:24

In reply to Asperger's disorder, posted by Elizabeth on December 16, 2001, at 23:15:18

Could I have been misdiagnosed???
HI I was diagnosed with tourret's syndrome when I was a young child. I read that people with asperger's get misdiagnosed with tourrett's or other disorders (add, odd) . I fit most of the description of asperger's(higher functioning autism) I am interested in very few things, I do repetitive activities over and over every day, look away upon meeting some people etc. and as a child I always learning things differently from other child and wanted to socialize but just didn't know how... I know you guys can't diagnose me but does it sound like I have asperger's instead of tourrett's all along? I just saw a psychologist recently and she diagnosed me with borderline and avoidant personality instead!
any input would be appreciated. thanks

 

Re: Asperger's disorder » borderliner21

Posted by IsoM on December 17, 2001, at 13:39:54

In reply to Re: Asperger's disorder, posted by borderliner21 on December 17, 2001, at 13:03:24

Asperger people do repetitive things too. It's not like the physical twitches & shrugs that I've seen in a friend with Tourette's but more doing the same thing over & over. My son will get a lock of hair & twist it repeatedly while he talks to me. When he was young, after every spoon of food he put in his mouth, he'd scrape the side of his mouth with the spoon as if he slopped a little even when there was nothing there. He'd do it so much he made it raw. There were many other repetitive things he'd do when young but has stopped most things. He'll still pull at his skin on his neck as he discusses things & I have to gently remind him not to. He can stop them when reminded but doesn't realise that he starts them. He's never blurted out comments or sounds like someone with Tourette's can.

One of the most interesting things I found when researching Asperger was many of those with it dislike close physical contact but crave something anyway. When I nursed him as a child, I could cuddle him but when he stopped nursing, I only could hold him when he was scared & ran to me for comfort. He can now hug me fine (he's 26) but dislike anyone else touching him, even a friendly hand on the shoulder. When he was young, to get the contact he'd wrap himself very tight in blankets & lay swaddled feeling a comfort from the confinement.

It's something I've read many do. One of the most famous people with Asperger is Temple Grandin, a professor who's actually lectured on it. When she was young, she made herself a device that enclosed her to get the relief without the cuddling.

People with Asperger will like other people or admire them, they may crave friendship but they wish to be alone alot. They rarely develop a "love" for anyone other than perhaps one major caretaker.

The interest in few things is also part of it. Their interest seems to be hyperfocused on these things & they'll read, talk, do these things to the exclusion of many other things. They can't be easily deterred from their interests.

Does any of this sound like you?

****************************************************************************************************

> Could I have been misdiagnosed???
> HI I was diagnosed with tourret's syndrome when I was a young child. I read that people with asperger's get misdiagnosed with tourrett's or other disorders (add, odd) . I fit most of the description of asperger's(higher functioning autism) I am interested in very few things, I do repetitive activities over and over every day, look away upon meeting some people etc. and as a child I always learning things differently from other child and wanted to socialize but just didn't know how... I know you guys can't diagnose me but does it sound like I have asperger's instead of tourrett's all along? I just saw a psychologist recently and she diagnosed me with borderline and avoidant personality instead!
> any input would be appreciated. thanks

 

Re: Asperger's disorder

Posted by PaulB on December 17, 2001, at 18:19:58

In reply to Asperger's disorder, posted by Elizabeth on December 16, 2001, at 23:15:18

> Hi folks. Does anyone here know anything about Asperger's? I've read about it, and it's been suggested that I may have a "mild" form of it, but I'm sort of confused as to what it means! It's not a "popular" dx like ADD, especially in adults, so most pdocs don't bring it up, but I'm curious about it. What about treatments -- are there any?
>
> TIA,
> -elizabeth

Hi Elizabeth

Its nice to hear from you again. I have received a diagnosis of Asperger's Syndrome which is a mild form of Autism. In fact I have just this minute come back from my weekly meeting. I have read quite a few of your posts over the last year and I think you have had social anxiety and take buprenorphine. Social Anxiety can be a symptom of Aspergers as can depression. At first I as skeptical but now I definetely see symptoms of it in myself. I posted a message about it a short while ago when I first received my diagnosis:

http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20010915/msgs/11773.html

As I mentioned here a great introduction to Aspergers is a book by Tony Attwood and he has a website too that I have provided a link for.

As to meds, the only medications currently indicated for Asperger's Syndrome are the SSRI's. Fluvoxamine has been tested but unfortunately unlike depression and anxiety, Asperger's is more of a behavioural disorder than chemical, not to say that all people with depression or anxiety have chemical imbalances, but I hope you know what I mean. Therefore my psychologist spoke in the meeting a few weeks ago about how people have to learn to live with it to a certain extent.

In Britain if you receive a diagnosis of Asperger's you can receive both income support and disability allowance.

Clomipramine is another medicine that has also been tested and I suspect is probably one of the most effective medications for Asperger's due to its very potent seroternergic properties.

Im new to the fascinating world of Asperger's and I look forward to learning more about it. Its tough but Asperger's people can do things normal people cant, i.e. Remember that Tom Cruise film Rainman with Raymond who had full blown Aspergers. Theres people at my group who have similar abilities.

 

medication for Asperger's disorder » PaulB

Posted by IsoM on December 17, 2001, at 18:39:38

In reply to Re: Asperger's disorder, posted by PaulB on December 17, 2001, at 18:19:58

Paul I just want to add a comment. My son benefited greatly from the addition of clonazepam for his social anxiety. He no longer needs it as he's now in a working & study environment where his Asperger is no longer a handicap but his strong point. I have heard that SSRIs are good for the depression part, but he does better on clomipramine & continues on a low dosage of it.
***************************************************************************************************
> > Hi folks. Does anyone here know anything about Asperger's? I've read about it, and it's been suggested that I may have a "mild" form of it, but I'm sort of confused as to what it means! It's not a "popular" dx like ADD, especially in adults, so most pdocs don't bring it up, but I'm curious about it. What about treatments -- are there any?
> >
> > TIA,
> > -elizabeth
>
> Hi Elizabeth
>
> Its nice to hear from you again. I have received a diagnosis of Asperger's Syndrome which is a mild form of Autism. In fact I have just this minute come back from my weekly meeting. I have read quite a few of your posts over the last year and I think you have had social anxiety and take buprenorphine. Social Anxiety can be a symptom of Aspergers as can depression. At first I as skeptical but now I definetely see symptoms of it in myself. I posted a message about it a short while ago when I first received my diagnosis:
>
> http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20010915/msgs/11773.html
>
> As I mentioned here a great introduction to Aspergers is a book by Tony Attwood and he has a website too that I have provided a link for.
>
> As to meds, the only medications currently indicated for Asperger's Syndrome are the SSRI's. Fluvoxamine has been tested but unfortunately unlike depression and anxiety, Asperger's is more of a behavioural disorder than chemical, not to say that all people with depression or anxiety have chemical imbalances, but I hope you know what I mean. Therefore my psychologist spoke in the meeting a few weeks ago about how people have to learn to live with it to a certain extent.
>
> In Britain if you receive a diagnosis of Asperger's you can receive both income support and disability allowance.
>
> Clomipramine is another medicine that has also been tested and I suspect is probably one of the most effective medications for Asperger's due to its very potent seroternergic properties.
>
> Im new to the fascinating world of Asperger's and I look forward to learning more about it. Its tough but Asperger's people can do things normal people cant, i.e. Remember that Tom Cruise film Rainman with Raymond who had full blown Aspergers. Theres people at my group who have similar abilities.

 

Re: medication for Asperger's disorder

Posted by borderliner21 on December 17, 2001, at 20:54:00

In reply to medication for Asperger's disorder » PaulB, posted by IsoM on December 17, 2001, at 18:39:38

Tricylic antidepressants help the repetive actions in autism. I also read that SSRi's can cause autistic people to become suicidal but this can probably happen to anyone; this happened to me.(another reason why I think I have something similar to asperger's and not tourret's) Also, Anti-psychotics have been shown to help with the loss of reality in asperger's folks. How do ssri's work for autistic folks. I tried ssri's but I find that when I am on them I lose my creativity , crave marijuana and I lose interest in my family.

 

SSRIs for Asperger's disorder » borderliner21

Posted by IsoM on December 18, 2001, at 1:25:32

In reply to Re: medication for Asperger's disorder, posted by borderliner21 on December 17, 2001, at 20:54:00

That's quite an interesting point about TCs as compared to SSRIs. Perhaps that explains why my son never responded well to the many different ones that was tried on him, & yes, he became suicidal twice & needed to be hospitalised.

He does well on the clomipramine, better than any other kind. Haloperidol was tried on him when he was young to control his anger, but it wasn't anger we discovered as he grew up. It was his extreme frustration in trying to deal with life & people, & he had no suitable way to express it.

Thanks for your information about that.

****************************************************************************************************

> Tricylic antidepressants help the repetive actions in autism. I also read that SSRi's can cause autistic people to become suicidal but this can probably happen to anyone; this happened to me.(another reason why I think I have something similar to asperger's and not tourret's) Also, Anti-psychotics have been shown to help with the loss of reality in asperger's folks. How do ssri's work for autistic folks. I tried ssri's but I find that when I am on them I lose my creativity , crave marijuana and I lose interest in my family.

 

Re: Asperger's disorder

Posted by Seamus2 on December 18, 2001, at 21:05:33

In reply to Re: Asperger's disorder, posted by PaulB on December 17, 2001, at 18:19:58

> >Theres people at my group who have similar abilities.< <

How do you find a group? I'm "on the spectrum" and would like to meet some others like me.

Ideally, I'd like to find a social, not "support" group. I don't bewail nor obsess on my condition, just take it as the hand that fate dealt out. But it's lonely sometimes. Something like Mensa for AS would be perfect! (IMX, anyone with AS qualifies for Mensa)

 

Re: medication for Asperger's disorder » IsoM

Posted by Seamus2 on December 18, 2001, at 21:09:25

In reply to medication for Asperger's disorder » PaulB, posted by IsoM on December 17, 2001, at 18:39:38

> >but he does better on clomipramine & continues on a low dosage of it.< <

What's he taking it for? Obsessional thoughts or depression? And how old is he? And what's the dose?

And does IsoM mean what I think it does? < g >

 

Re: medication for Asperger's disorder » Seamus2

Posted by IsoM on December 19, 2001, at 2:52:10

In reply to Re: medication for Asperger's disorder » IsoM, posted by Seamus2 on December 18, 2001, at 21:09:25

Seamus, my son takes the clompramine for depression. He had some bad, bad times & has been hospitalised twice for depression. Once he was really suicidal. He'd been doing fine on clomipramine when he was in his teens, but out of the blue, he developed pancreatitis & had to hospitalised. We had just moved, didn't know any doctors, & that doctor took him off all his meds. After years of SSRIs & depression full force again, I asked our present doctor if he couldn't be tried on clompramine again & he was agreeable to write out a prescription. He's done well ever since.

His environment at home has also changed (no more angry father that no one can meet his standards), & he's working at a software company where he's well suited & valued. It makes a real difference.

I could tell you his dosage tomorrow but right now, he's asleep & his meds on his bookcase in his room. He's had certain obsessional thoughts but the depression was always the worse. He still has panicky feelings in large crowds that he's not familiar with & really doesn't like crowds at all. He's 26 & because he needs to be around people, college courses at night & work by day, he's slowly getting used to people.

IsoM is just short for isomorphix a user name I picked. I'm a science geek, especially biology & it's just a twist on a biology term. I'm not sure what you meant it to be. Maybe I'm just naive.

****************************************************************************************************
> > >but he does better on clomipramine & continues on a low dosage of it.< <
>
> What's he taking it for? Obsessional thoughts or depression? And how old is he? And what's the dose?
>
> And does IsoM mean what I think it does? < g >

 

Amount of Clomipramine » Seamus2

Posted by IsoM on December 19, 2001, at 13:22:50

In reply to Re: medication for Asperger's disorder » IsoM, posted by Seamus2 on December 18, 2001, at 21:09:25

Seamus, my son takes 50 mg only of clominpramine at bed-time. He does take Dexedrine through the day as needed. On the weekends, he prefers to give the Dex a holiday. The amount of clomipramine is pretty small. He used to take more but in his situation now that it's good, it's been lowered & he does fairly good on it. Much more & his heart-rate increases.

 

Re: Asperger's disorder

Posted by Noa on December 19, 2001, at 18:56:49

In reply to Re: Asperger's disorder, posted by Augusta on December 17, 2001, at 0:03:09

I think another common aspect of Aspergers is intense interest in one thing--like collecting, or fascination with one topic or hobby, etc.

 

Re: Asperger's disorder » Noa

Posted by IsoM on December 19, 2001, at 19:41:55

In reply to Re: Asperger's disorder, posted by Noa on December 19, 2001, at 18:56:49


Most times, yes, intense interest in a narrow range of subjects is quite true, but not always. It may depend on their intelligence & how many interest they were exposed to as a child. Even though my son has Aspergers, & computers take up his main interest, he's also very interested in Japanese culture, language, art & cuisine. He's interested in other aspects of art, a lot of different literature, wood-working, astronomy, & other things but I can see the intense focus on computers mostly.

************************************************************************************************

> I think another common aspect of Aspergers is intense interest in one thing--like collecting, or fascination with one topic or hobby, etc.

 

Re: Asperger's disorder

Posted by caroline on December 21, 2001, at 14:45:31

In reply to Asperger's disorder, posted by Elizabeth on December 16, 2001, at 23:15:18


Hi,

I have aspergers. I use 75mg remeron, 75mg of anafranil (to help me sleep) + Imovane (zopiclone) taken as a day drug to help me think laterally, deal with social situations etc. I usually take 3x7.5 a day. It all works like a dream; has done for about 18 months now.

Best, Caroline

 

For CAROLINE: Re: Asperger's disorder » caroline

Posted by IsoM on December 21, 2001, at 15:16:40

In reply to Re: Asperger's disorder, posted by caroline on December 21, 2001, at 14:45:31

Caroline, I'm eager to talk to any one else who truly has Asperger - not just traits or possible Asperger. I've learned how to deal with my son (he's 26) through trial & error as he wasn't diagnosed till he was 22. There's questions I would love to ask to help me & him understand whether some of his thoughts & actions are specific to him alone, - personality traits as vs Asperger traits.

If you'd rather be private about all things, I can understand. It's something my son wouldn't talk around others unless he knew & trusted them a great deal. But if you would be willing, could you please e-mail me at isomorphix@hotmail.com
I promise I won't ask very personal questions or anything rude. I'm just still continuing my quest to understand him better & he'd love to know more about his nature too. (I have read innummerable books on this subject, some with case histories but it's not the same as comparing & asking.)

>
> Hi,
>
> I have aspergers. I use 75mg remeron, 75mg of anafranil (to help me sleep) + Imovane (zopiclone) taken as a day drug to help me think laterally, deal with social situations etc. I usually take 3x7.5 a day. It all works like a dream; has done for about 18 months now.
>
> Best, Caroline

 

Psychotherapy and CBT

Posted by caroline on December 22, 2001, at 4:13:12

In reply to Asperger's disorder, posted by Elizabeth on December 16, 2001, at 23:15:18

Hi,

Elizabeth, I realised that in my last post I wrote only about the drugs. They are great but I also have weekly psychotherapy and CBT to help me deal with particular issues.

I frequent the OASIS message boards b/c it's great to find that others can empathise with how one feels.

I was not diagnosed until I was 28. Until then I'd been diagnosed with clinical depression, OCD, anorexia, schitzo-typical personality disorder, Bipolar ... the works, basically, and the shrinks would all say, well you don't really fit the criteria for any one of these conditions but we got to diagnose something!

Being diagnosed AS has really helped me, it's allowed me to make sense of my life. I have rarely been depressed since, and the anafranil controls the OCD (which can rule my life if untreated), but apparently OCD is found to be comorbid in 70% of those of us with aspergers.

I suppose some people would say my AS is 'mild' but I don't entirely agree. I function at a high level in many many areas - I'm great socially, have a professional job which I love and I do so well my company are sponsering me through my masters. But in other areas my functioning is very low - I'm finally getting somewhere with learning to drive, but it's taken 13 years, I'm still not overly keen on kissing due to sensory issues and I don't really have friends other than work colleagues because I resent people taking up my spare time which I use to write! It's a strange swiss cheese type of disability, AS!

All the best, and season's greetings from,
Caroline


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