Some Of Us Are Not Made To Connect.

[Jonn]

Well there should be medication for autism invented. Why is autism so damn untreatable? It's not fair.

Some can be helped via Ritalin.

What does Ritalin do for a person?


Ritalin is used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children and adults. However, it's not usually recommended for children younger than 6 years old. It helps people who have ADHD pay attention to tasks. Ritalin may also help people be less impulsive and hyperactive.

Ritalin - Google Suche

 

[Ronald Zeeman]

Most ppl on the spectrum have comorbidities.
An estimated 70% have ADHD, and 80% have executive dysfunction.

Personally speaking, I consider those two comorbidities an integral aspect of being on the spectrum because of the frequency.

Both can be mitigated.

I Have neither, so mitigation not an issue.

 

[Misty Avich]

I have anxiety disorder and ADHD, and also a bit of OCD. Often I feel those all put together makes ASD but take one away then it wouldn't be ASD, if you get what I mean. But I'm not speaking for anyone else, only my experience. I'm not defining ASD like that, but that's what it just feels like to me, being so so many symptoms of ADHD, anxiety and OCD all share some symptoms of ASD. It's so difficult to know where one begins and the other ends, that it kind of buries the ASD or even pushes it out, only leaving me with a few ASD traits like certain noise sensitivity, anxiety about certain change, and some social awkwardness (but not clueless).

 

[Jonn]

I have anxiety disorder and ADHD, and also a bit of OCD. Often I feel those all put together makes ASD but take one away then it wouldn't be ASD, if you get what I mean.

I consider my ADHD as significant as my autism in affecting my life.
I am considering meds for this.
Better late than never.

But I'm not speaking for anyone else, only my experience.

Some are in a position to improve their life in areas they were unaware of.
I am one of "those".

It's so difficult to know where one begins and the other ends, that it kind of buries the ASD or even pushes it out, only leaving me with a few ASD traits like certain noise sensitivity, anxiety about certain change, and some social awkwardness (but not clueless).

We are on a spectrum.
I personally, have no noise, light, nor tactile sensitivities, yet I am still "one of us".

Spoiler

 

[Jonn]

I Have neither, so mitigation not an issue.

Consider yourself one lucky Aspie.

 

[Ronald Zeeman]

Consider yourself one lucky Aspie.

Fortunately I was unaware helped that my brothers were my best friends. and I found fellow Aspies As buddies.

 

[thejuice]

I wish i didnt have sensory sensitivites. I just have to sit in the dark at home. Forget connecting with anyone. Pretty depressing/ aggravating in an English winter. @Jonn

 

[Aspychata]

I truly haven't searched out connections, but l still manage to connect with others, and was married for quite some time. My type is ND, l like people that have special interests, and these types are more difficult to meet because they also don't seek out connections. Often my special interests keep me very busy and very happy, so my quality of life
may be perfect, yet a NT person may need a busy social life.

 

[Misty Avich]

My husband is NT but isn't bothered about a busy social life. In fact, it's sometimes hard to get him to come to any family gatherings he's invited to. I think he's the shy/introverted type. He said when he was younger he wanted to work in an isolated lighthouse so that he wouldn't have to deal with people.

I don't think I could go out with someone who has a special interest. If I'm honest, people on autism sites drive me mad when they keep bringing a special interest into everything - unless I'm interested in it too, which isn't often, as my interests seem to differ from most spectrumers, plus I don't really have special interests, just casual interests, and yes I can get obsessed with things that trigger anxiety for me, which is annoying too but still more complex than, say, obsessing over a certain music band or something.

 

[Zain]

The ability to assess and feel as if one is "fine" with one's situation is highly individualized. If one has had a significant and meaningful relationship, and now it is gone, and is missed, then one might not be "fine" with the situation. Some people do not and may not be capable of bonding with people in terms of their oxytocin and vasopressin hormone levels, they do not seek out relationships, and even the ability to experience love might not be there. In this context, one does not "miss" what one never had, nor ever will have, because there is no frame of reference there.

One can waste a lot of time ruminating about such things, become envious and jealous, which is never good, nor is the depression, anger, and frustration of wishing for something that will never be. "I wish I never had autism." I get it, I understand, but you don't have that choice. It is what it is, now deal with it. You are not, nor will ever be, those "other people". Accept it, move on, and play the game with cards dealt to you.

I am 58. I've been through the process of life, had my ups and downs, and have been pretty darn lucky in life with a wife and children, success in my work life, personal life, and my financial situation. I've never operated on an emotional level. I also have alexithymia. I operate on a logical plane. So, I accept my life as it is, with all its pros and cons. So, "YES", I am doing just fine.

You're talking about exceptions, a small minority, like a lot of others here are.

 

[Tired]

My husband is NT but isn't bothered about a busy social life. In fact, it's sometimes hard to get him to come to any family gatherings he's invited to. I think he's the shy/introverted type. He said when he was younger he wanted to work in an isolated lighthouse so that he wouldn't have to deal with people.

I don't think I could go out with someone who has a special interest. If I'm honest, people on autism sites drive me mad when they keep bringing a special interest into everything - unless I'm interested in it too, which isn't often, as my interests seem to differ from most spectrumers, plus I don't really have special interests, just casual interests, and yes I can get obsessed with things that trigger anxiety for me, which is annoying too but still more complex than, say, obsessing over a certain music band or something.

That's something I understood after I started dating an autistic man. He has a few topics he almost daily comes back to, but I find it endearing. I know that he doesn't have anyone else to talk to about that, so I always listen and engage in a topic. I even sit and search for some info to make sure I can always say something and not just be a passive listener. But yeah his topics are something which is not very far away from what I am interested in, I'm sure that if that would be something like mathematics or sport, I would have a similar to your reaction, heh

 

[Shamar]

I consider my ADHD as significant as my autism in affecting my life.
I am considering meds for this.
Better late than never.

Be VERY careful with meds. When I was first diagnosed with ADD, I was given Ritalin. It was almost a mystical, transcendental experience. For the first time in my life, I didn't have a barrage of thoughts and ideas vying for my attention. I had CONTROL, and could choose what to think or pay attention to. For the first time, I began to understand how other people saw the world. Then, a few hours later, it all began to fade away. After a few weeks, I developed a tolerance for it, and they upped the dose, then I began to tolerate that. I saw where this was going, and decided that in the long run I was better off without it. I did use it when circumstances required less distracted thinking than normal, but this was only a few times per year. I was later switched to methylphenidate, which did nearly the same, and I use it once or twice a year when I need it (I get a prescription for ten pills every few years, and give most of it back, that convinces them I am not abusing it).

 

[Misty Avich]

Be VERY careful with meds. When I was first diagnosed with ADD, I was given Ritalin. It was almost a mystical, transcendental experience. For the first time in my life, I didn't have a barrage of thoughts and ideas vying for my attention. I had CONTROL, and could choose what to think or pay attention to. For the first time, I began to understand how other people saw the world. Then, a few hours later, it all began to fade away. After a few weeks, I developed a tolerance for it, and they upped the dose, then I began to tolerate that. I saw where this was going, and decided that in the long run I was better off without it. I did use it when circumstances required less distracted thinking than normal, but this was only a few times per year. I was later switched to methylphenidate, which did nearly the same, and I use it once or twice a year when I need it (I get a prescription for ten pills every few years, and give most of it back, that convinces them I am not abusing it).

Yes, if I started taking ADHD meds I feel I wouldn't be me. I dislike it when people keep suggesting meds. I don't mind staying on Sertraline, as it can help with the really negative ADHD symptoms such as depression-triggered rage, and I know that deep down I'm not an angry person, so being more in control of rage does make me feel like my rightful self. But being distracted and hyperactive and all that feels more like built-in traits and I wouldn't really want to numb them, despite being a nuisance in my daily life at times, particularly in employment. My ADHD and employment doesn't seem to mix very well.

Anyway, something else I was going to say in this thread. Often people tell me that my work colleagues aren't my friends, but I like to consider them as friends, as work seems to be the only place I can actually form connections. In the past people have suggested I join clubs to find friends, like related to an interest of mine or something, but I know I wouldn't really make friends that way. I've attended an arts and crafts club before when I was younger, and I felt very shy and I think I was focusing too much on making friends, so I stood there looking around and thinking "hmm, so who shall I make friends with?" But I've never had that sort of social predicament at work, as connections seemed to just form more naturally.

I like the social part of work but I don't like the working part of work, not because I'm a lazy slob, but because of executive dysfunction, too many rules, repetition, pressure anxiety, and lack of focus.

 

[Jonn]

Be VERY careful with meds.

I am.
I could do my own research, and will later, but does it cause weight gain?
If so, it might be a deal-breaker.
I am reversing my diabetes, and that means further weight loss rather than more.

When I was first diagnosed with ADD, I was given Ritalin. It was almost a mystical, transcendental experience. For the first time in my life, I didn't have a barrage of thoughts and ideas vying for my attention. I had CONTROL, and could choose what to think or pay attention to. For the first time, I began to understand how other people saw the world.

Damn!
I needed to get motivated to arrange a psychiatrist connection.
You have provided that.
(My last one retired just before I was going to see him again).

Then, a few hours later, it all began to fade away. After a few weeks, I developed a tolerance for it, and they upped the dose, then I began to tolerate that.

What a shame, but you do now have the experience to recall.
BTW, I read some where that it may not be effective for ppl over 65, but it can't hurt to give it a try.

I saw where this was going, and decided that in the long run I was better off without it. I did use it when circumstances required less distracted thinking than normal, but this was only a few times per year. I was later switched to methylphenidate, which did nearly the same, and I use it once or twice a year when I need it (I get a prescription for ten pills every few years, and give most of it back, that convinces them I am not abusing it).

Well, my immediate thought was to use the meds off and on.
Presumably, the tolerance factor may reset.
If I get my stuff together, I will keep you informed.

This situation reminds me of "The Bourne Legacy" where meds gives him enhanced mental acuity.
If it works, you can call me Aaron Jason.

 

[Misty Avich]

Annoyingly Sertraline has caused me weight gain. Everyone just puts it down to age but I don't think it is. I started taking Sertraline at age 24, and that was when I began piling on the pounds very easily, whereas before then I was naturally a very thin person with the type of slender build that doesn't really get fat. My dad's side of the family are all the skinny type no matter what they eat, and I definitely have that gene too, but since taking Sertraline I've been having to watch what I eat because I am the fattest I've ever been. Well, not completely fat, because of my build not really being made for fat, so I'm sort of out of proportion with thin legs and small butt and small breasts (just like my dad's family) but large around the shoulders and tops of arms due to excess fat. Very out of proportion and I need to lose weight but it's difficult when you love eating and crave sugar and salt just like a heavy smoker craves nicotine.

 

[Jonn]

WhooHoo!

Can ADHD Medications Cause Weight Loss?​

Sometimes the medicines most often used to treat ADHD can cause weight loss. Stimulant drugs like methylphenidate (Ritalin) and amphetamine/dextroamphetamine (Adderall) make you less hungry and make your body burn calories faster than usual. Some of them are even used to help people lose weight or treat binge eating.

How ADHD Medication Can Affect Your Weight

 

[thejuice]

You know the theory of psyche medication being a form of social control? This is a gross over simplification but sometimes I think it's used to force square pegs through round holes. If only society was a bit more flexible and accepting of neuro divergence.

 

[Misty Avich]

WhooHoo!


How ADHD Medication Can Affect Your Weight

Is this a ploy to get me to take ADHD medication? lol

 

[Jonn]

Is this a ploy to get me to take ADHD medication? lol

Honestly, no.
But it might be worth a try for anyone who suffers from ADHD.

I will be making contact with a new psychiatrist very soon.
I want to give Ritalin a try.