Autism / Autism Spectrum Support Group
Autism is classified as a neurodevelopmental disorder which manifests itself in markedly abnormal social interaction, communication ability, patterns of interests, and patterns of behavior. Although the specific etiology of autism is unknown, many researchers suspect that autism results from genetically mediated vulnerabilities to environmental triggers.
I was told most of my life that I had boarderline personality disorder, with anxiety, depression and PTSD. We came to discover from a recent mental health counselor that all of my symptons came down to being on the autism spectrum. My whole life I knew something was different about me but no one was able to figure it out. Now that I have a answer to some of how my brain processes information, it seems easy to say it is the autism but do I still have depression or is it all just symptoms of sensory overload? I don't know. If any of you have stories to share about how you know you are having a moment of sensory overload it would help me to find similarities and differences in the depression and the autism. Mental health workers still treat me as if they can treat all of my problems with talk therapy and medication but I now know it is not that easy. Or if any of you out there experience depression and autism, how do you know the difference? Does the autism prevent you from working through the emotions of depression?
Anything can help
Thanks Zahara
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I find myself going places in the car and not wanting to get out of the car. I come back home and I don't want to get out of the car. I think it's the only time I spend reflecting. Chronic tiredness from Long Covid plus the immunosupressing meds for my Crohn's is slowing me down but everything just seems a massive effort. I am dealing with the paperwork following my father's death but it's not...
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Wow, it's the middle of the week already!Today is our 11 year anniversary, so we're going out to a nice dinner. I'm losing a lot of sleep these days, hence a wonky schedule and uncomfortable feelings. But I know it will pass, eventually.I hope all of you have a peaceful day, and may good things come your way!
There are a bunch of disorders that even psychiatrists need to consider before deciding on autism spectrum, forms of schizophrenia, several different types of personality disorders - it's really quite a long list. And then there are clusters of common disorders that if they occur together can look like autism.
It's more clear cut with children - you can usually discount schizophrenia which doesn't appear until teens, personality disorders which I assume are similar - but by the time someone is an adult it could be so many things.
I suppose one clue is to think about how you were as a child.
Addressing depression directly, autism leads to it quite readily; so many on the autism spectrum feel alienated from others, misunderstood, and frustrated. You mentioned sensory overload - yes, that also contributes! Sensory overload leads to "shutting down" and when that occurs daily, you end up with textbook depression.
Overloading the senses drains you of your ability to handle... Everything. I feel fatigued to the core, go non-verbal, and withdraw completely. This happens daily for me - I've been in a lot of pain since a car crash so on top of processing the pain, this sensory thing really kicks me in the butt. Now that I'm in my 30s I have learned how to pass as a neurotypical but there are times where I am nowhere near. That's the scary part about autism; you can hit your overload limit anywhere at anytime and have a complete meltdown in public. Hello anxiety!
Does autism prevent you from working through the emotions of depression? YES! Yes it can. Emotions are overwhelming to neutorypicals, but even worse with autism.
Here's another thing I learned from my psychologist: women with autism are masters of acting. Acting "normal" in every sense, including hiding mental illness. They live their lives learning how to blend in. They have no sense of who they actually are as a person because they're so busy trying to fit in. You can also feel like an impostor. Does that contribute to depression? Yes.
Is the autistic brain pre-disposed to PTSD? Yes. Again you nailed it with overload. I don't really want to get into too much detail here as I'm not sure where you are with your recovery and what you're comfortable discussing.
Feel free to PM me if you want to chat in private.