Depression is a natural side effect of being a high functioning autistic: the world is not the way we want it to be, we can't or feel like we can't communicate with people we'd like to be with or appreciate, and the constant threat of change threatens our precious inner worlds. I've struggled with depression all my life, the worst being last year when I had a total nervous breakdown, which I came out of as a totally different person...

I don't know what to tell you; its scary, traumatizing, and life altering. Just go to therapy, find some meds that agree with you (be careful, though) and hope for the best. That or hope for parents and friends that are willing to strap you down to keep you from finding the family gun...

Is it really a natural side of being an aspie?, I'm worried about my son, he has been telling me lately that he feels sad for no rational reason.

Yes and Bi Polarity Dispraxia Personality problems stuttering dislexia and on and on.

@KatDancer--Just because you aren't usually depressed doesn't mean that its not normal to become depressed due to Asperger's symptoms. I speak from experience too. It is very logical to think that a person possessed of Aspish tendencies and thought patterns attempting to interact with the neurotypical world would become frustrated for various reasons. And what walks hand-in-hand with frustration?

MAD & GLAD

@alicinwnderlnd

I meant to post this sooner. What's happening with your son sometimes happens to me, and used to really happen a lot when I was that age. I think it's Asperger's related; sometimes you'll just think about stuff (as an Aspie) and if it either doesn't sit well with you, can't figure it out, or something to that effect, it will make you feel bad.

We're, at least I'm not, completely aware of what's bothering me, but I tend to have a rough idea; it's just an "all is not right" feeling. It may not even be something so cerebral, he may disagree with things in his environment: not liking certain colors, patterns, people, weather, etc.

I have dealt with depression for about two decades. I strongly believe that not understanding my Aspergers was a big part of this. Finding ways to cope with a mitigate my Aspergers has been a big help.

If you or a child has Aspergers, I would recommend keeping an eye out for signs of depression.

KatDancer wrote, "Coming from someone who has been diagnosed as having AS, I can attest to the fact that being depressed is NOT a natural side of having AS."

It's perhaps not inevitable, but there is link in the case of many people. I think your experience and the differing experiences of other people with Aspergers nicely highlights that we are individuals who don't all fit into a single profile. But I would still urge people with Aspergers (and parents of children with it) to be aware of the heightened risk of depression.

My son has been diagnosed as an Aspie; he is approaching puberty - this was the age, for me, when I started seeing social developments (girls, etc.) that I wasn't interested in, at he time..my friends in elementary school developed interests in girls & weren't my friends anymore. I noticed I was 'different' and felt out of place in a lot of social situations..this isolation was the onset of my depression..

Fast forward to now: over recent years, my marriage has deteriorated to the point where my wife wants a separation/divorce; I've become so isolated/distant from her so much that the connection was lost; depression was always there but manageable..once she announced she wanted out, I went into a total emotional collaspe which led to (2) hospital stays, the development of T2 diabetes, and a suicide attempt (3) months ago. It's taken all of this time to realize I might be inflicted w/Aspergers - I can begin to understand why I was so empathetic, socially uncomfortable, not understanding other's jokes/humor, not keeping/developing friendships, etc. So much irreversible damage has already been done; now that I've crossed this epiphany, I feel I am just starting life from scratch - which at my age (45) feels like a daunting & horrific task, especially to now face alone..

I can honestly say I've been depresses for most of my life. I always felt I was a bit Autistic but never looked into it that much until recently. When I'm by myself, the only way my brain shuts down is when I'm completely exausted from whatever I'm obsessing about. Social, chit chat, situations are really good if they're very simple and structured. I feel lost and get tired easily in emotionally demanding situations. The only thing that has helped is a level of Mindfulness and an acceptance of who I am.

@hemaboy

I agree; there are so many different ways it can manifest in people, not all are the same.

i didn't know i had aspergers until my roommate discovered because i am also a person who doesn't like changes i like things to be the same or i get shy and quiet in person also i learned that it is a sign of asberger as well as type of autism. I also have failed classes in my school years never good with history or geography so i had lack of knowledge as well.

i didn't know i had aspergers until my roommate discovered because i am also a person who doesn't like changes i like things to be the same or i get shy and quiet in person also i learned that it is a sign of asberger as well as type of autism. I also have failed classes in my school years never good with history or geography so i had lack of knowledge as well.

i have struggled with depression and being bipolar for as long as i can remember. In addition to being an aspie. All i can say is it sucks. The worst part is periods when i am alone when it's not what i wanted. (sometimes i have to be alone, but then sometimes i am lonely yet have to alone for a while.) this leaves me feeling unliked, unwanted, and useless. i just wish i could atleast know why i want my alone time, other than not being around other people. i have always felt that there has to be an even deeper reason behind it.

i think they do go hand in hand. i have been depressed )and aware of it) since i was probably in elementary school. and although i have always had my social problems, i have just in my adulthood, realized that i am definitely on the spectrum. and as i have thought about the origin of my unhappiness, i have found that it started with not fitting in, never knowing what to say, or havin an appropriate response. i find it much, much easier to chat on here, simply because it's at my pace. i can think about what my response is, and not have to worry that someone is judging me as i gather my thoughts.