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Question: Is it ok to get medication for asperger's syndrome?

(Posted by: trebleqbp on 2010-03-07 23:45:46)

Is it recommended for an asperger's patient to go on psychiatric medication in order to treat other side- manifestations like obsessive compulsive disorder, attention deficit and depressive disorder? some professionals (psychologists) tell me i should not go on medication because that could damage my intelectual performance and that aspies don't really need any kind of medication cause if i do that i will be just like anybody else (goodbye to my genius mind), but my doctor (psychiatrist) says it would be helpful and it will make me feel better to stop the sadness and that my intelect could even improve, since the attention deficit will be under control. Would really appreciate your help.

Posted by: Nicole on 2010-03-08, 08:16:59

Often, autistics show atypical reactions to medication. Apart from that, meds for anxiety, attention deficit or depression have the same indications as for everyone else. Meaning that there are always side-effects to be considered; and you just have to decide for yourself if that's worth it, or if other ways to deal with those issues would be preferable. They don't make you "like anybody else "; no pill can change the way your brain is wired. But some can slow down mental processes, which is a normal side-effect. So, basically your psychiatrist is correct, but keep in mind that there is no "magic pill " that only helps but doesn't harm.

Posted by: this on 2010-03-07, 23:55:03

Consider this option very carefully. Your Psychiatrist is in the business of treating the issue with drugs. Throwing drugs at a problem often causes more problems. Mind altering drugs have serious side-effects. Give the Psychologist a little more credence as they are more likely able to find a less drastic and longer lasting solution. Seek therapy first, drugs last.

Posted by: Chelsea Cyanideâ„¢ on 2010-03-07, 23:56:49

With all due respect, OCD and ADD and clinical depression are not 'side-manifestations' of aspergers. They're very much their own disorders. If you have as much 'intellectual performance' as you say, why cripple that by not being able to pay attention or not having the desire or will to do anything as a direct result of these other disorders? Your performance would probably improve, and you wouldn't deal with as many issues in every day life as you normally do.

Posted by: Barry on 2010-03-08, 03:09:28

There are courses, where Aspies are taught the interpretation of social cues, and behaviour appropriate to certain circumstances. Google: "asperger's syndrome; training courses (your location) " There are also books on social skills; "People Skills, " written by Robert Bolton, Ph.D. The book help will help with communication in all areas. It helps when you have anxiety in "people " situations. Others are: Asperger's From the Inside Out: A Supportive and Practical Guide for Anyone with Asperger's Syndrome by Michael John Carley and Ed.D., Peter F. Gerhardt, & The Complete Guide to Asperger's Syndrome by Tony Attwood, & The OASIS Guide to Asperger Syndrome: Completely Revised and Updated: Advice, Support, Insight, and Inspiration by Patricia Romanowski. Ask at your bookstore, or go to amazon.com If you have difficulty looking people in the eye, try focusing on the bridge of their nose, for 2 - 3 seconds only (or you may be thought to be staring, or, at the very least, rude) then look away for 5 - 10 seconds, then repeat. Most people are suggestible, to some degree, so you could either seek professional hypnotherapy, or, hypnosisdownloads.com has ones on: making eye contact & conversation starter, and: overcome shyness and social Anxiety & meeting people, etc. Because of their borderline obsessive interests, and lack of social skills, many Aspies stay indoors a great deal, and don't get sufficient daily exposure to sunlight to produce adequate levels of vitamin D3. A deficiency in this very important vitamin can lead to depression, as can the social exclusion, and sometimes even bullying (see your-mental-health.weebly.com/ 1.html and page B) that they experience. Take at least 4 Omega 3 fish oil supplements, daily: (certified free of mercury) it is best if consumed with an antioxidant, such as an orange, or its FRESHLY SQUEEZED juice. If vitamin E is added, it should be certified as being 100% from natural sources, or it may be synthetic: avoid it! In the winter months, if not getting sufficient daily exposure to strong light, see mercola.com SEARCHBAR: enter: "vitamin D3 ". Go to a doctor and ask for a 25(OH)D, also called 25-hydroxyvitamin D, blood test. When you get the results, don’t follow the typical “normal� reference range, as these are too low. The OPTIMAL value that you’re looking for is 45-52 ng/ ml (115-128 nmol/ l) ". The company which tests your levels has to be one of those using the correct form of test, and this topic is addressed via the searchbar at Mercola.com - "vitamin D3; testing ". See articles.mercola.com/ sites/ articles/ archive/ 2008/ 12/ 16/ my-one-hour-vitamin-d-lecture-to-clear-up-all-your-confusion-on-this-vital-nutrient.aspx PARTNERS & DATING wrongplanet.net/ postt55410.html & nolongerlonely.com has social networking for people with disorders. Google: "asperger's; partners ", then support groups, and forums, and ask there.