What is a greater hinderance: Autism or other problems?

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I've got aspergers, and while it has it's own share of problems, it doesn't affect my moment-to-moment functioning as much as my fatigue and excessive daytime sleepiness (the latter is at least somewhat treated with medicine, though I still often spend many hours a day having to lie down... just not sleeping like it would be if untreated). I'm also fairly depressed and nothing seems to help that, no matter how many meds or therapists I throw money at it (though much of my depression is fueled by the consequences of my (lack of) social functioning, so who's to say that it wouldn't be there without aspergers). The fatigue and excessive daytime sleepiness are just the worst, though.

I've got some other stuff going on as well, but it's comparatively benign.

My poor executive functioning is the problem that most frustrates me; it's an obstacle to making changes that might help me with other difficulties, so affects them all.

At my autism assessment, it was hinted that I might be showing signs of ADD (pure inattentive form), but the promised follow up by an OT hasn't happened yet for a variety of practical reasons. Given that there's also some controversy about how much ASD and ADD overlap, it's difficult to say whether my poor EF is really an autistic trait; so I can't give a definite answer to the question.

Good question! The greatest hindrance is the way people think about themselves and autism (or anything). The lack of understanding of autism by many, if not even most, autistic people including very high functioning autistic people is to me mind boggling. I am reading with genuine amazement a lot of the stuff I find here. The problem, imo, is the way the brain is processing data, speaking of my brain, but after studying the messages, the brains of many, even most though not all people here, and this problem, by the way, exists not just with autistic people but with all kinds of people. Key point, though: the way the brain processes data is learned, programed, conditioned. I saw this problem the last time I was on here a few years ago and tried to write about the problem of people attributing their problems to autism and over-playing their hand from that angle, but was not able to express it in a way that many could understand without reacting, but now I understand it even better and think I am able to articulate more effectively. Am I doing better this time? Hope so. In future message on this thread on on other threads, I will explain further.

My autism, specifically my communication, is my biggest problem.

I think if I had known that I had Aspergers earlier on would have negated a lot of the issues I had around it growing up. (Because I would have understood myself and what I needed better). But since I didn't all of it was just a mess. It's hard to say what was what when I was a kid.

At current I would say I have a harder time with my anxiety and depression. Being tired a lot is pretty crappy too, I have to sleep more than usual to reboot. But I have found when I am 'happier' I function better in terms of sleep. The depression and anxiety in combination are pretty debilitating though. So I suppose the question is, if I didn't have Aspergers would my anxiety be so terrible? I don't know.

I have problems with both autism and comorbid conditions. However, the comorbid conditions (mainly anxiety and depression) affect me more significantly.

Asthma and allergies are what's keeping me from doing what I want, work with animals.

My wheezing, itchy skin and IBS are the 3 things that impact my every day life the most.

All of the above are far more hindrance than pure AS. (I say pure because apparently they might be related, according to some)

Or IOW: Most of my ASD problems are problems because of other people.
The other stuff always lower my quality of life regardless of circumstance.

Executive functioning. I have lots of other things to deal with too, but impaired EF makes all that other stuff way more difficult. What success I have had in life I am pretty sure is because my intelligence is high enough to keep the wheels spinning while my poor EF tries to figure out what is going on and what to do about it.

Crippling anxiety is my biggest problem. It broke my life for a time. Seeking help for that is how I became aware of high functioning autism/asperger's syndrome and became convinced that described me.

I don't know if you consider anxiety part of autism, or a separate issue, but it is worse than all my other problems combined.

My executive functioning gets worse somehow, and drags my already verbal weaknesses down along with it. To the point it didn't mattered what I ate or did at all. My EF isn't entirely from autism.

My executive dysfunction is caused by poor sleep. Poor sleep can mimic ADD.
Poor sleep is likely sleep apnea or insomnia. Regardless, it's non restorative sleep. Poor sleep may likely why my hormones might be a mess.
Poor sleep is very likely caused by chronic sinusitis rhinitis that caused my breathing bad at day let alone at night asleep.
Chronic sinusitis/rhinitis had no real pattern of a trigger to detect why is this except likely humidity and hormones -- likely both allergic and nonallergic type -- and it's been that way since I was 5.
Then said allergic/non allergy, on top of crappier sleep, may give me chances of having this tonsillitis like symptom every night.


Therefore, my most of my functioning power -- which is usually blamed at autism -- IS actually entirely lies on luck with restorative sleep.

Once upon a time, my biggest problems are people thenselves, anxiety, and intolerances -- and it can be a cycle altogether. A cycle I've been through as a teenager.
I've conquered them all.

And thus my biggest problem now is the cycle involving breathing, hormones, and sleep -- might as well be the one ive been dealing with the whole time. A more 'physical' problem than 'psychological' one.

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You know smthing that occurred to me regarding that?
We dont have to deal with a lot pf daily anxietirs that NTs esp the most socially driven ones feel

EG anxious abt maintaining an image at every cost

Being socially adept has a ton of hidden challenges that drive NT ppl to consider things like
- Getting drunk to fit in even if it makes them sick.

- Backbiting n being paranoid of others doing the same about u

- worrying About image in current society- getting painful surgery ot other difficult measured just to attain tje ‘ideal’ that drives them

- one’s interests being dictated by whatever is the norm or ‘cool’ rathr than genuine passion (therefore don’t understand how being ‘obsessed’ is often a blessing n a good outlet)

-Friends backbiting about each other gossip n hearsay

- Not taking time to replenish their souls by being quiet n by solitude (less peace of mind)

- being able to understand better (theory of mind) opens up a world of possibilities that show u how scary ppl can get