for anyone dealing with anxiety issues-
 

Autism and hormones

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/02/15/AR2010021501984.html

it dawned on me later, kimbo!
 

stops in and says hello (and hello again to everyone)

Hiya StoneFinn!

:playingcat:

Driving back home a little while ago, I got to catch the Fresh Air interview with Temple Grandin. What an amazing spirit! I recorded the HBO special for Christie and I to watch. I look forward to it even more now.

Hope everyone gets to catch it!

http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2010...bable_jou.html this is the fresh air interview!

Thank you Jess. I don't have HBO, but I will look for it on that youtube.

You are the bomb!

Love,
Andrew

Hi there! :)

I was diagnosed with AS after suspecting it for a while a year or so ago...or maybe two, I am spun and not thinking clearly.

I really enjoyed the thread on the other website and will read all of this one and come back to chat!

Thank you Urs and Belle! :clap:

I am very amazed at how people perceive what I say, especially recently.

Life has been in an uproar for the past year or so, and I just can't seem to get calmed down and organized and back in my groove.

I will write or say things, and while it can seem quite clear to me, the opposite of what I am trying to say is perceived.....

I feel pretty lost and overwhelmed and sensitive.

When I am in meltdown, I have to cut the tags out of all my clothes, wear soft things, make sure my hair is not pulling, control sounds and light around me, even the scent.

I am going to order the sensitive book, maybe that will give me more ideas on how to cope.

Loving this thread.

:lips:

I have been experiencing this lately, being singled out as being unkind or pitting people against each other, when if I read the posts they make logical sense to me and the last think I want is to be unkind.

Am trying to not be so direct and short, but that seems to get me in even more trouble.

Sometimes I just apologize. But my friends all say I apologize way too much and that gets on people's nerves too. The other day, I walked into the kitchen and said to Cynthia "I apologize for anything I may have ever done or may ever do to irritate you".

I don't know.

*waves hello to everyone*

OMG! I've been apologizing in advance for years!!

{{{{{{{{{{{{{{Jen}}}}}}}}}}}}} Honey, it's been an AWFUL year for you, and the one before it wasn't a whole lot better. Hang in there and give it time--things really will get better.

really???

I am not the only over-appologizer?

:happyjump:

Andrew, I want to say that I never have a problem reading your posts. I think you are a very good writer.

i agree with you about xo andrew ox , apocalipstic - :)
 

Apocalipstic,

I actually start working on my writing before I post. I have to look up words. I even have people read what I am going to post beforehand. Unless I am angry. Then I let it rip. :explode: Thank you for your kind remarks. I appreciate it.


Belle,

I walk away. I talk to my furkids. I disconnect from here, and go onto my other hobbies. It is only when someone pushes me to the cliff. We all know the experiences. Or someone will say that we are hiding. No, it is a matter of protecting ourselves from jerks.

I think for me it is a combination, but mostly due to past trauma and not wanting to take up anyones time or space or disturb anyone.

I appologize all over myself when frustrated.

protection is a great thing! :)

Ha, I do hide.

idea-
 

maybe sometime down the road, we could have a chat night? there is a group [WLS- weight loss support ] who meet once a week.

what do you think?

Apocalipstic I am very curious about how you came about being diagnosed later in life. I have been really struggling for quite some time now, because I am in full blown butch-o-pause everything is getting blamed on that. I read in here and am amazed at how much I relate to things. I know that many are diagnosed earlier in life. I have ADD, diagnosed by my clinical Dr but I am considering seeing a Psychiatrist. When I had my physical last month my Dr again keeps wanting to prescribe meds for some of the pausal symptoms I am having but every time I do something like this is makes my head worse. I have lost much of my reading comprehension, my thought process is really garbled, I struggle communicating and keeping my head from going in circles and if I am tired, forget communication. This is really becoming an issue for me—and the frustration I feel trying to communicate just makes things worse and adds to my anxiety level. My retention of data is nonexistent and people often have to tell me things several times before it sticks in the ol’ gray matter. It feels like I am losing the battle. How did your diagnosis come about and by who, if I may ask? I do IT for a living—data and detail are mandatory parts of my job and I’m really struggling at work and they have noticed. I went from getting the employee of the month 3 months in a row to the worst evaluation I’ve had in 30+ years of employment.

I don’t mind taking meds if needed but I need to know that I am taking the right meds for what is going on in my head—taking meds normally given to treat people with bipolar for my night sweats just doesn’t seem right. Due to past health issues I am unable to take any HRT but I see the impact of my hormones on my ADD and really I am wondering if there isn’t something deeper in my brain that should be evaluated. When I spoke with my Dr about this her response was—call your insurance company and see what they say. That response was quite frustrating to me.

I’m very curious as to how you all came about your diagnosis.

And the apologizing thing---oy vey! Raising my hand!

I began to research after my G/F pointed out how much I fall. She wondered if something was wrong. Things just jump out of my hands and off shelves around me. As I read I noticed other things like I have ticks and stims (like flapping when I get overwhelmed or rubbing my thumb and index fingers together in circles and other things.)

A Urologist suggested it might be MS, based on some other symptoms and I visited an neurologist who thought it might be just being fat or could be neurological. I then visited a psychiatrist who had me take some tests and talk for a really long time (hours) with a Nurse Practitioner and together they thought based on my past and so forth that AS. fibromialgia and PTSD might be the explanation (I had been diagnosed with PTSD in my 20's).

It did not seem like a very exact science for me and to be honest, I am still unsure if that is an accurate diagnosis. I sort of think everyone is at a different place on the neurological scale and we all experience things differently.

I do take medication and have found it very helpful. I also have significantly changed my footwear and clothing which helps with stability/mobility and am in therapy. I'm sure being Butch you have not been wearing unstable shoes, but for me it was a huge deal to change to solid sensible footwear (ugh).

Without medication I am a huge mess.

I hope this helps, feel free to ask me anything on this thread or in PM.

:)

NT's who don't understand aspergers-
 

I was told that I was, "damaged goods," I think they were inferring that.

[QUOTE=Andrew, Jr.;57809]Per Belle, This is what I have come up with when I know I am out of control. Now, please bear with me because this is sort of a rush job.

Those who torment me, and others who have neuro. diseases/disorders I believe they do so because they have some resentment or envy of me/others. Why? I have no clue. Who really knows what is going on in anyone's mind these days. Why don't children help the elderly cross a busy road anymore?

thank you, mr. andrew :theisland: for opening up a discusson about people who do not understand where AT wiring/needs/coping-skills, et c may be coming from- and do not get it [or may not ever get it].

Those who are master manipulators like my bio-father, who also torments me, I believe it gives him/them a "one up". Like a power ranking on earth or something. It boosts his/their ego to put someone down. He/they are very demeaning, and aggressive about how he/they go about it. It can be with the words used, repetition of a certain behavior, or knowing that what he/they are doing is intentionally inflicting emotional pain on me or another human being. For example, my father always telling my sisters that they were fat, ugly, and stupid. To this very day, they always remember that those 3 horrible words he uttered. So when I say words hurt. I mean, words hurt.

yes, they do for a lot of people. i've heard name-calling and/or been accused of having a- 'mental deficit' ; heard phrases like - 'what is 'wrong' with you? and 'you know what you are doing. does that mean there is an insinuation of deliberation on my end of playing a game? ha. i am like a big yellow school bus coming down the road - nothing is hidden with my intentions. however, when my truth is disputed, there's physical/bodily over-reaction, and comments made like 'mental deficit', and so on, i think that's going into a serious button-pushing zone.

We all see this by military hazing, political slams, and workplace bullying, even in school bullying now. Heck, kids today now carry knives and guns. I never thought I would see this during my lifetime.

The effects of this are social isolation, constant criticism to the point of believing what your tormentors are saying to and about you (Stockholm Syndrome), the lies and rumors become true to you. You loose sight of who and what you are. For example, in some sick way my father thought that beating me, and locking me in a closet were going to make me a straight woman. Boy was he wrong. :boxers:

that's really sad, andrew. i'm sorry. you are correct, no one deserves that kind of abuse either.
The end result can be more isolation, loneliness, depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, and even suicide. And nobody deserves that. Nobody.

I take meds on a reg. basis. I also have some ticks. All are doable. Life is good. But when someone threatens me with criticism, or demons, it sends me right over the edge. I also find it quite rude when someone bad mouths my late sister and late younger brother. They are not here to defend themselves. I can only do the best I can. I think until you yourself bury your own siblings, you have no room to talk.

constructive criticism is one thing to learn from, but not the kind attacking who you are, or 'misperceptions' of who you are/what you are doing wrong. open-discourse is always a desirable option to me - to agree to disagree !


Kimbo,

I was diagnosed very early with my learning disabilities thanks to my oldest sister. I failed in school. In fact, I failed anything that was organized. It made no sense to me. I also am colorblind. I would make an appt with a neurologist, and also have testing done by a therapist. See what the results come out to be. Mine were pretty much the same as Apoc.

I wish you peace.

Andrew

[QUOTE=Liam;58262]I was told that I was, "damaged goods," I think they were inferring that.

liam,

hi there :) friend :listening:

interesting choices for us are the phrases 'damaged goods', and 'mental deficit' -

:sermon:

beyond :pacman:careless:pacman:

[QUOTE=Kimbo;57798][COLOR=black][FONT=Verdana][COLOR=teal]
I don’t mind taking meds if needed but I need to know that I am taking the right meds for what is going on in my head—taking meds normally given to treat people with bipolar for my night sweats just doesn’t seem right. Due to past health issues I am unable to take any HRT but I see the impact of my hormones on my ADD and really I am wondering if there isn’t something deeper in my brain that should be evaluated. When I spoke with my Dr about this her response was—call your insurance company and see what they say. That response was quite frustrating to me.

I’m very curious as to how you all came about your diagnosis.

And the apologizing thing---oy vey! Raising my hand!

:ohm::reader::smelling-flower:

hallo dear kimbo!

i was diagnosed many years ago by an ASD expert in her field, and the medication i take has been wellbutrin xl 150 one time a day, forever. this one helps take the edge off anxiety. i'm drug [chemically] sensitive, and do not tolerate very meds in general.

hope you have a stellar weekend :) ~~> :sushi: <~~ for your bella kitty

more links:

http://www.proedinc.com/customer/pro...?idCategory=11


http://autismbulletin.blogspot.com/2...better-on.html

http://www.enotalone.com/article/6866.html

This team generally includes a psychologist, neurologist, psychiatrist, speech therapist, and additional professionals who have expertise in diagnosing children with AS.

The comprehensive evaluation includes neurologic and genetic assessment, with in-depth cognitive and language testing to establish IQ and evaluate psychomotor function, verbal and non-verbal strengths and weaknesses, style of learning, and independent living skills. An assessment of communication strengths and weaknesses includes evaluating non-verbal forms of communication (gaze and gestures); the use of non-literal language (metaphor, irony, absurdities, and humor); patterns of inflection, stress and volume modulation; pragmatics (turn-taking and sensitivity to verbal cues); and the content, clarity, and coherence of conversation. The physician will look at the testing results and combine them with the child’s developmental history and current symptoms to make a diagnosis.

http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/a...l_asperger.htm

*asperger syndrome is on a spectrum- not all of the behaviours will look the same/manifest in everyone * several of them kill me - like lack of empathy, and/or obsessions. i have interests, thank you ;)

Hi Ruthie, welcome! Isn't taking that test amazing? I think that some people are highly sensitive, and some people are Aspies, and some people are both--there seems to be a lot of overlap, yanno?

I'm highly sensitive, Andrew, and I have Fibromyalgia, but I haven't been diagnosed with Asperger's. There are some criteria that I don't fit for the diagnosis.

Really... as a matter of fact, I had apologized in advance to Gryph--for EVERYTHING, no matter what I might say or do, lol---just a couple days before I read your post.

For me, it's more an emotional control kind of thing... when I get overwhelmed and frazzled I don't always have the control to avoid being cranky. I had it well under control for a long time, but once I couldn't take anti-inflammatories anymore it came back, so I think being in physical pain must contribute a lot to it.

Also, taking on the puppy has made it worse; he's a very demanding and overwhelming creature, testosterone-laden teenager that he is now... hm... now that I think about that, I'm most likely to get overwhelmed after a day when he's been misbehaving, especially if he's pulled really hard on the leash and my shoulders are sore.

Sometimes I misinterpret what Gryph says, but sometimes I just get so overwhelmed that I can't keep from.. um... well, let's be polite and call it "cranky griping." When I feel myself getting overwhelmed and I know that's coming on, I apologize to him in advance (for everything, a blanket apology!) so that he'll know not to take ANYTHING personally.

Kimbo, correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought you got diagnosed with Fibromyalgia a while back... do I remember that right?

The things you're describing are classic symptoms of Fibro brain fog; that sounds like a really bad Fibro flare (if that's what you have).

The classic treatment for brain fog is an SSRI like Prozac/Zoloft. It regulates your brain and the fog lifts. When I took Prozac for my Fibro, I started sleeping properly right away, my pain lessened, and my brain came back to normal for me--I felt like I was thinking sharply again for the first time in years--and my short term memory started working again.

If you don't have Fibro, I would urge you to see another doctor, a neurologist if you can.

Ooops, time for me to go offline, good night everyone!

Outlaw..Thanks for mentioning Lymes disease. It was a rheumatologist who diagnosed my Fibro. On initial visit she tested for lymes as well as a plethora of other possible things. I am neg for lymes.

Bit..yes I do have fibro, you are not mistaken. I've tried many of the drugs. I was diagnosed with fibro 12 years ago and as each of the meds were recommended I took them. I have had some ugly reactions to some of them..prozac about killed me. It is because of some of the reactions that I've had that I am very hesitant to try new drugs. Throughout the years my fibro has been for the most part controlled. I had one bad year where I had to take an extended leave from work due to fibro. I have bad days here and there but for the most part I feel that what is going on has gone beyond fibro fog.

Belle, Yes, I have been called stupid. Yeay. I am not stupid, just I communicate differently and sometimes oddly.

Kimbo, I hated Prozac too, Lexapro has worked best for me.

I can multitask, I have to at work. A lot. But it wears me out. I do get to pick my music and have dim lighting in the room and candles which really helps. Some days when I get home I am just empty. Cynthia has started putting the animals up for 30 minutes when I get home so I can just sit, because otherwise all 4 of them are all over me and I get all confused and overwhelmed even trying to put my work bag down.

Andrew, my father yelled at (and sometimes threatened) me for stuttering too. Now I have weird pauses in my speech during which people assume I have forgotten what I am saying, but really it is so I won't stutter.