Asperger's and Depression

[Keith Maitland]

A good piece by Nomi Kaim.

"A large proportion of people with Asperger’s Syndrome–perhaps especially those who are higher functioning–suffer from some form of depression. It is unclear whether this depression emerges as a result of the struggles, exhaustion, rejection and failures so often present in a life with Asperger’s Syndrome, or whether the mysterious neurology of AS somehow invites, or includes, a hard-wired affective disorder. What is clear is that people with Asperger’s Syndrome can end up particularly entrenched in their depression, and be difficult to treat or “cure.” Like many of the viewpoints and needs of individuals with Asperger’s Syndrome, this depression can be extremely rigid and hard to budge"

RTWT here:

http://www.aane.org/asperger_resources/articles/miscellaneous/aspergers_depression.html

[Gonnagle]

Dear Keith,

Just thought this might interest you.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/2988647.stm

Gonnagle.

[floo]

A good piece by Nomi Kaim.

"A large proportion of people with Asperger’s Syndrome–perhaps especially those who are higher functioning–suffer from some form of depression. It is unclear whether this depression emerges as a result of the struggles, exhaustion, rejection and failures so often present in a life with Asperger’s Syndrome, or whether the mysterious neurology of AS somehow invites, or includes, a hard-wired affective disorder. What is clear is that people with Asperger’s Syndrome can end up particularly entrenched in their depression, and be difficult to treat or “cure.” Like many of the viewpoints and needs of individuals with Asperger’s Syndrome, this depression can be extremely rigid and hard to budge"

RTWT here:

http://www.aane.org/asperger_resources/articles/miscellaneous/aspergers_depression.html

My grandson has high functioning Aspergers but is not depressed. We think it highly likely my husband has it too, and he is not depressed either.

[Sassy]

A good piece by Nomi Kaim.

"A large proportion of people with Asperger’s Syndrome–perhaps especially those who are higher functioning–suffer from some form of depression. It is unclear whether this depression emerges as a result of the struggles, exhaustion, rejection and failures so often present in a life with Asperger’s Syndrome, or whether the mysterious neurology of AS somehow invites, or includes, a hard-wired affective disorder. What is clear is that people with Asperger’s Syndrome can end up particularly entrenched in their depression, and be difficult to treat or “cure.” Like many of the viewpoints and needs of individuals with Asperger’s Syndrome, this depression can be extremely rigid and hard to budge"

RTWT here:

http://www.aane.org/asperger_resources/articles/miscellaneous/aspergers_depression.html

Do you suffer from AS Keith?

I personally hope not. But if you do, do you have the depression.

[Outrider]

"A large proportion of people with Asperger’s Syndrome–perhaps especially those who are higher functioning–suffer from some form of depression. It is unclear whether this depression emerges as a result of the struggles, exhaustion, rejection and failures so often present in a life with Asperger’s Syndrome, or whether the mysterious neurology of AS somehow invites, or includes, a hard-wired affective disorder.

Depression is only marginally more prevalent in individuals classified as lying on the Asperger's range of the autistic spectrum than it is in the neurotypical populace, and significantly less prevalent than those diagnosed with other mental conditions. It's not inconcievable that the bulk of the increased prevalence is misdiagnosis, a misinterpretation of the stylistic mimicry and demonstration of emotion that characterises the autistic spectrum.

After all, when the fundamental basis of autism and Asperger's is an atypical grasp of emotional displays, any expression of depression is likely to be atypical, and any expression of emotion that appears to be depression has to be questionable.

What is clear is that people with Asperger’s Syndrome can end up particularly entrenched in their depression, and be difficult to treat or “cure.” Like many of the viewpoints and needs of individuals with Asperger’s Syndrome, this depression can be extremely rigid and hard to budge"

The two primary methods of treatment for depression are pharmaceutical and therapeutic. The pharmacological treatment regimens are equally as successful, but the therapy methodologies are predicated on an inherent desire to communicate and empathise, and on a neurotypical expression of emotional range.

O.