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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 16 of 16. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by RyanDillon on April 22, 2010, at 15:02:56
I'm 22 finishing my senior year in college. I've been told there's no treatment for Aspergers, but am looking to find some help on this site. I'm told I have a lack of empathy and passion, but it's my social life that makes me most unhappy. I'm uncomfortable with other people and in almost all social situations. If there's no medication that helps Aspergers specifically, can anyone suggest anything that would at least help me to function in social situations or be more at ease with others? Thanks. Ryan
Posted by sigismund on April 22, 2010, at 15:16:41
In reply to Need help with Aspergers, posted by RyanDillon on April 22, 2010, at 15:02:56
As you are probably aware, low dose SSRIs have been used in some instances (Temple Grandin) to settle down the emotional weather of people with autism/Aspergers.
I thought you mentioned Nardil? I must have imagined it. Lots of side effects. But still.
Therapy? I dunno. You could talk to someone you weren't comfortable with about why you are not comfortable with anyone. I suppose that might help, and then again it might stretch your patience.
I would just follow my interests, if I were you. Most social situations suck anyway.
Posted by sigismund on April 22, 2010, at 15:21:02
In reply to Need help with Aspergers, posted by RyanDillon on April 22, 2010, at 15:02:56
The post below is about Nardil (failing).
I sometimes think that, awful as it is, autistic people are very fortunate that psychiatry acknowledges it has so little to offer them.
Awful to have to say that, but I believe it.Here's wiki on Temple Grandin, in case you don't know...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temple_Grandin
Posted by morganator on April 22, 2010, at 16:13:39
In reply to Re: Need help with Aspergers » RyanDillon, posted by sigismund on April 22, 2010, at 15:16:41
I'm really sorry to hear that you have to deal with this disorder. I worked with an Asperger's student and my cousin has Autism, so I have a good understanding of what you must be going through. I wish I could recommend a treatment for you. There has to be something out there that could help. I think therapy is a good suggestion.
One thing you have going for you is that you are aware of you condition and you have a desire to make things better.
>I would just follow my interests, if I were you. Most social situations suck anyway.
I agree with following one's interests, but I completely disagree with social situations sucking. Yes, unfortunately sometimes due to the nature of some people, social situations can suck. Still, if you can form positive relationships with good people, you will find that most of your experiences in social situations will be positive. Not only will they be positive, but they are essential to a fulfilling and content life.
Posted by morganator on April 22, 2010, at 16:24:35
In reply to Re: Need help with Aspergers, posted by morganator on April 22, 2010, at 16:13:39
I did a little research for you.
If you do try an SSRI, I would recommend Zoloft. And get the brand, don't bother with the generic. I imagine Zoloft could help reduce some of your anxiety and help you be more outgoing. I think CBT and other forms of therapy may help you with this as well. Good luck.
Morgan
Posted by morganator on April 22, 2010, at 16:48:54
In reply to Re: Need help with Aspergers, posted by sigismund on April 22, 2010, at 15:21:02
> The post below is about Nardil (failing).
>
> I sometimes think that, awful as it is, autistic people are very fortunate that psychiatry acknowledges it has so little to offer them.
> Awful to have to say that, but I believe it.
>
> Here's wiki on Temple Grandin, in case you don't know...
> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temple_GrandinWhy do you think it is awful to say this? Why do you believe this? Is it because you think the psychiatry in it's current state could do more harm than good to a person with asperger's or autism?
Posted by sigismund on April 22, 2010, at 17:06:13
In reply to Re: Need help with Aspergers, posted by morganator on April 22, 2010, at 16:48:54
>Is it because you think the psychiatry in it's current state could do more harm than good to a person with asperger's or autism?
Of course.
I have seen autism untreated by drugs (over many decades) and feel that years of drug treatment would not have helped.Though I have nothing against it as such.
Posted by Deneb on April 22, 2010, at 21:05:40
In reply to Need help with Aspergers, posted by RyanDillon on April 22, 2010, at 15:02:56
Hello RyanDillon!
Welcome to Psycho-Babble! I don't have any experiences with Aspergers, but I hope you find a way to be more comfortable in social situations. Does practice help at all?
I have social anxiety and SSRI's like Prozac have really helped.
Deneb
Posted by Emily Elizabeth on April 22, 2010, at 21:19:51
In reply to Need help with Aspergers, posted by RyanDillon on April 22, 2010, at 15:02:56
Who diagnosed you w/ Aspergers? When? Are you sure it is the proper diagnosis? Honestly, many folks w/ Aspergers don't care about social interactions (rather than feeling anxious).
Social Anxiety, on the other hand, has many treatments (both meds and therapy). My advice: meet with a psychologist skilled in diagnosis autistic spectrum disorders and see what s/he thinks of your diagnosis and possible treatment.
Best,
EE
Posted by Phillipa on April 23, 2010, at 0:08:45
In reply to Re: Need help with Aspergers, posted by Emily Elizabeth on April 22, 2010, at 21:19:51
Asperger's to my limited knowledge has extremly intelligent people. Hopefully you will get a second opinion. Love Phillipa
Posted by Brain Damage on April 23, 2010, at 5:49:59
In reply to Re: Need help with Aspergers, posted by morganator on April 22, 2010, at 16:13:39
I have Aspergers
I appreciate how you feel
My understanding is that Aspies often want social contact, they just don't know how engage with others.
There's varies degrees & types of Autistic disordersI have a lovely girl friend, who seems to genuinely like me, but spending time with her is still very stressful for me.........
I would have though that a lot of people in the Psychiatric system have some sort of Autistic disorder, as well as what ever else is "wrong" with them.
As for treatment I'd steer clear of Benzo's & Stims.
SSRI's & MAOIs probably would help, also a supplement called Phenibut-just some ideas
Posted by worriedmom2 on April 23, 2010, at 9:04:17
In reply to I have Aspergers.........., posted by Brain Damage on April 23, 2010, at 5:49:59
Hi - I'm new here too and just posted this morning with similar needs for my son. I want to tell you how much I feel for what you are going through! Not sure if that helps, just as I'm not sure if it helps when I tell my son things like that...anyway, you might find useful info at the thread I started (Invecta?) as well as here on your own. Best wishes for feeling better! btw, regarding help from SSRIs? It's so individual and can change as you change. When my son was much younger, he found relief in a v small dosage of Zoloft; this time, not so much. Nor with Prozac. But Lexapro seems to be helping.
Posted by RyanDillon on April 23, 2010, at 21:55:03
In reply to I have Aspergers.........., posted by Brain Damage on April 23, 2010, at 5:49:59
Thanks to all who have posted and tried to help. RD
Posted by Franz on April 25, 2010, at 22:09:31
In reply to Re: Need help with Aspergers, posted by morganator on April 22, 2010, at 16:24:35
Why do you suggest Zoloft and not other SSRI morganator?
Thanks
Posted by morganator on April 25, 2010, at 23:25:51
In reply to Re: Need help with Aspergers, posted by Franz on April 25, 2010, at 22:09:31
I always liked Zoloft when I was on it for 8 years. It felt clean. It also came with no sexual side effects-that's just me though. I slept great and had plenty of energy. It is less likely to make someone feel flat, something I don't think the OP wants. It can improve cognition in some. It is less likely to raise prolactin levels. It can make some feel more outgoing. Obviously mileage varies, and I am biased, but I believe Zoloft to be one of the safest, least toxic, and most effective SSRIs.
Posted by RainyOcean on April 30, 2010, at 1:01:14
In reply to Re: Need help with Aspergers, posted by Franz on April 25, 2010, at 22:09:31
I have two possible suggestions that I hope could be helpful. One is to see a therapist who has experience in helping people with social skills. I was tested for Aspergers years ago and was told that i have a lot of the symptoms of it, but not quite enough for a diagnosis, along with a social phobia that prevented me from developing social skills the way most people do. At the time I was seeing a therapist for depression and anxiety, and she helped me work on my social skills. She gave me "homework" and told me to do certain things that I guess come naturally to most people, but that had never occurred to me. I practiced these things until they became easier. I still have to consciously remind myself about them sometimes, but it definitely helped. The other thing is that there are social groups/support groups for people with Aspergers. The one that I was familiar with was a group of people in their early 20's who got together and did things like played board games and went bowling. It gave people a chance to practice their social skills while hanging out and having a social life in a way that many of them had trouble with other times. Good luck with everything! I know it's difficult, but it will get better.
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