My experience with Aspergers Syndrome, High Functioning Autism & depression at 24

[Super]

Dear Asperger and ASD UK Online Forum Team members

 

My name is Sean. - This is my first post and I am new to this forum.

 

I am 24 years old and I have Aspergers Syndrome and was only diagnosed last year. Aspergers syndrome is also known as High Functioning Autism, Pervasive Developmental Disorder. My main problem is interacting with other people on a social basis and finding it difficult to fit in or socialise in a group, laugh with others my age. Aspergers syndrome is a neurobiological condition that I was born with and I do not find it easy as some people to instinctively and intuitively understand, or think as clearly and straight as some in order to address what others are thinking or feeling. It is not obvious to me and I would welcome your patience in helping me with this. I have uploaded a descriptive, wordy and hopefully informative video on YouTube under my username "Supersmooth007", which can be found here:

 

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=9BH12QzE40s

 

I find it hard to grasp sarcasm and understand jokes or metaphors as I take things literally and I never seem to fit in with a group of people. Sometimes I do tend to avoid eye contact and not like to be touched, hence why I do not enjoy team sports! I will also admit that, I do have some very inflexible repetitive routines. Thankfully performing magic as an accomplished entertainer has been delightful and because I have taken up this art, I am able to use it as an ice-breaker to communicate with others socially. People use to think I was naive, stupid, eccentric or a freak. Consequently I as a victim of bullying, but people were not so aware of autistic like behaviours in the 80's as much as they are now.

 

I do not think that there is anything to be ashamed of if you have Aspergers or Autism. It is NOT virus, disease or life threatening! I mean even Mozart, Sir Isaac Newton, Bill Gates, Bob Dylan and Albert Einstein had some form of Autism and look how successful they have been? There are positive things about having Aspergers Syndrome or AS. I am now informing most people that I have this condition, so that they can understand if I behave a bit differently or not able to think as straight and clearly as most people as I lack empathy. I have realise from my own research and experience, that people with Aspergers syndrome are more prone to depression and anxiety like myself as I have had an over-active thyroid. I do think that ADHD and Aspergers as well as OCD are linked. My parents however do not have Aspergers syndrome so I did not get it through hereditary. ADHD can be treated with Ritalin. Sadly there is no antidote to treat Aspergers Syndrome, but I have taken a dosage of anti-depressants, clonazepam (treatment for epilepsy or tourettes) and seen many neurologists. I am currently seeing a Human Givens Therapist and counsellor and might undergo CBT.

 

My clinical psychological HG therapist suggests that Yoga, Pilates and voluntary work would do me good as I get to meet other people and work in a team, hence people will appreciate me and my service more, if you understand. Exercise is good to as it releases serotonin in the brain like yawning.

 

 

If the is anyone who wants to talk about this condition, share their experiences, provide some informative and invaluable advice or anything related then feel free to get in contact with me.

 

Let me know what you think of my brief video and I look forward to hearing from someone soon.

 

Kind regards

 

Sean

Edited October 8, 2008 by Tally
Hi Sean, please don't give out your private contact details publicly. Anyone wishing to contact you privately can use the forum's PM system.

[Super]

Dear Asperger and ASD UK Online Forum Team members

 

My name is Sean. - This is my first post and I am new to this forum.

 

I am 24 years old and I have Aspergers Syndrome and was only diagnosed last year. Aspergers syndrome is also known as High Functioning Autism, Pervasive Developmental Disorder. My main problem is interacting with other people on a social basis and finding it difficult to fit in or socialise in a group, laugh with others my age. Aspergers syndrome is a neurobiological condition that I was born with and I do not find it easy as some people to instinctively and intuitively understand, or think as clearly and straight as some in order to address what others are thinking or feeling. It is not obvious to me and I would welcome your patience in helping me with this. I have uploaded a descriptive, wordy and hopefully informative video on YouTube under my username "Supersmooth007", which can be found here:

 

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=9BH12QzE40s

 

I find it hard to grasp sarcasm and understand jokes or metaphors as I take things literally and I never seem to fit in with a group of people. Sometimes I do tend to avoid eye contact and not like to be touched, hence why I do not enjoy team sports! I will also admit that, I do have some very inflexible repetitive routines. Thankfully performing magic as an accomplished entertainer has been delightful and because I have taken up this art, I am able to use it as an ice-breaker to communicate with others socially. People use to think I was naive, stupid, eccentric or a freak. Consequently I as a victim of bullying, but people were not so aware of autistic like behaviours in the 80's as much as they are now.

 

I do not think that there is anything to be ashamed of if you have Aspergers or Autism. It is NOT virus, disease or life threatening! I mean even Mozart, Sir Isaac Newton, Bill Gates, Bob Dylan and Albert Einstein had some form of Autism and look how successful they have been? There are positive things about having Aspergers Syndrome or AS. I am now informing most people that I have this condition, so that they can understand if I behave a bit differently or not able to think as straight and clearly as most people as I lack empathy. I have realise from my own research and experience, that people with Aspergers syndrome are more prone to depression and anxiety like myself as I have had an over-active thyroid. I do think that ADHD and Aspergers as well as OCD are linked. My parents however do not have Aspergers syndrome so I did not get it through hereditary. ADHD can be treated with Ritalin. Sadly there is no antidote to treat Aspergers Syndrome, but I have taken a dosage of anti-depressants, clonazepam (treatment for epilepsy or tourettes) and seen many neurologists. I am currently seeing a Human Givens Therapist and counsellor and might undergo CBT.

 

My clinical psychological HG therapist suggests that Yoga, Pilates and voluntary work would do me good as I get to meet other people and work in a team, hence people will appreciate me and my service more, if you understand. Exercise is good to as it releases serotonin in the brain like yawning.

 

 

If the is anyone who wants to talk about this condition, share their experiences, provide some informative and invaluable advice or anything related then feel free to get in contact with me.

 

Let me know what you think of my brief video and I look forward to hearing from someone soon.

 

Kind regards

 

Sean

 

How do I get my signature below?

[Kathryn]

Hi Sean,

 

Welcome to the forum.

 

To add a signature, click on the my controls link at the top of the page.

 

From the menu on the left, click on edit signature, that brings up a box in which you can type your text.

 

Hope that helps, if you need more help with it, please ask again.

 

K x

[Zosmum]

Hi Sean

WOW!! just watched your video and you are so like my 12 year old, she can talk and talk too but where you talk about magic she talks about horses, everything comes back to horses and riding must be an AS thing (linked to the obsessive side of Autism)

 

It's so nice to see someone older than she is being able to be loud and proud.

When she comes in from school I will see if she will watch it to as it may just help her deal with having the condition better if she actually sees someone like you talking about having AS rather than being given leaflets and books to read. She has really good reading skills but very poor comprehension skills so the reading material doesn't help.

Will let you know what happens

 

Good Luck with the magic

 

Zosmum

[Super]

Hi Sean

WOW!! just watched your video and you are so like my 12 year old, she can talk and talk too but where you talk about magic she talks about horses, everything comes back to horses and riding must be an AS thing (linked to the obsessive side of Autism)

 

It's so nice to see someone older than she is being able to be loud and proud.

When she comes in from school I will see if she will watch it to as it may just help her deal with having the condition better if she actually sees someone like you talking about having AS rather than being given leaflets and books to read. She has really good reading skills but very poor comprehension skills so the reading material doesn't help.

Will let you know what happens

 

Good Luck with the magic

 

Zosmum

 

Thanks Zosmum

 

It was pretty much verbal diarrhea as there is far more to it than that, but I am always eager to hear from other asperger sufferers. Does you daughter have trouble mixing in a group, making or keeping friends? - That was my main problem and still is.

 

Yes show her this video here when you can

 

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=9BH12QzE40s

 

Kind regards

 

Sean

Edited October 8, 2008 by Super

[something_different]

hello Sean

 

Nice to meet you!

 

I think your video is great. Love your talent for magic tricks.

 

Something_Different

[Zosmum]

Hi Sean

 

Z has real problems in groups and doesn't make friends without help. She really struggles with what to say, when to say it, how to say it and what tone of voice to use.

 

She can appear to be really abrubt when talking to people on a subject she's not sure about but will quickly take over a conversation when talking on a subject she knows (usually ends up about horses) and she will not stop until she's told.

 

She wants to fit in so much but never seems to know how. Maybe one day both she and you will find a way or a few friends that are totally accepting and you will fit and be able to socialise and build relationships

 

Zosmum

[ScienceGeek]

Hi Sean and welcome to the forum

[sarahponari1]

Hi im Sarah, im 25 and was diagnosed with Aspergers 2 years ago, i have 2 daughters and the youngest 1 was diagnosed in March this year with ASD

[Super]

Hi im Sarah, im 25 and was diagnosed with Aspergers 2 years ago, i have 2 daughters and the youngest 1 was diagnosed in March this year with ASD

 

 

Thanks for welcoming!

 

HELLO Sarah,

 

I am 25 next month and diagnosed last year in actual fact, and sadly not when I was at school. People just thought I was naive, eccentric or stupid and a bit of a freak, hence, why I got bullied, because I would behave differently.

 

From my research, I think, one is more likely to have or develop autistic like conditions if the parent has then the child could. It is hereditary, but I do not know how I got it. It is easy to diagnose babies with autism at a younga age, i.e block stacking, hand flapping etc.

 

I do know that people with Aspergers syndrome or High Functioning Autism (HFA) are prone to social anxiety, depression and other related illnesses such as OCD and ADHD, however ADHD is a developmental disorder and not part of the autistic spectrum. I know others with aspergers that have have tourettes syndrome as well.

 

What has been your greatest dilemma or predicament with aspergers syndrome?

 

Here is my brief video on YouTube uploaded for this forum to see which can be found here:

 

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=9BH12QzE40s

 

Nice to hear from you and take care

 

Kind regards

 

Sean

Edited October 11, 2008 by Super

[eismith]

Hi

 

I am 23,HFA and dyslexic diagnoised

 

Dont look people in the eye :

Cant start a conversation

Dont have an obbesive topic but do like animals

Think literly

Never dated or had a boyfriend as i have little to say and dont know what to say

 

Currently living in France with my mother but trying to start my oxn business breeding my dogs and looking after peoples dogs.

 

From Emily

 

ps i m going to see you video now

 

 

[Sooze2]

Hi Sean

 

Thanks very much for showing your video, I have just told my son he has ADHD and Autism today and I have shown him your video because it is so positive and you are so lovely! My son thinks you are just like an average guy and you have made him feel great about himself and his differences.

 

In my opinion your video will make a difference to anyone who is touched by autism in such a great way.

 

Thank you.

[sesley]

hi Sean ,i think you are loverly and thank you for expressing yourself on here my p is 8 and is high functioning ASD and he has very simular challenges as you, he is very competetive, finds mixing with groups of people he either gets over excited or withdrawn, he tries jokes but doesn't understand jokes,he gets very frustrated at school he gets in trouble and finds he wants his sanctury of room 7 to escape from what he has to do he is also very intelligent something i think you are too.