Maxine Aston and other researchers

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What actually *are* the symptoms of Cassandra Disorder? On her website MA lists the symptoms of SAD, then says that CADD is more or less the same. They appear to be the largely the same as 'depression'.

Oddly enough, after living with an NT for years, I have had all the symptoms she lists, too. I think CADD is just a contrived description for "depression acquired largely through being in an unhappy relationship for a long time". Or DALTBIAURFALT, to give it the snappy medical name I've just made up. (pronounced: "Daltbiaurfalt").

How many people does it take who have the symptoms, but are not an NT wife of an AS husband, before the whole concept of CADD and the model she is describing is seriously challenged?

Simply, if you put a request out asking for "People who are unhappy in long term relationships and it's mostly your partners fault", you will get trampled in the rush. And most of them will NOT have AS partners. This is where the 'belief system' comes in of assuming that relationships must be perfect and if not, then it must be due to psychological problems. Problems that can be cured by buying a book and attending a workshop or 20.

I just explain it as Nerdy Introvert Grump getting hitched with Needy Insufferable Frump for no other reason than who else would have them? Life in all it's infinite but imperfect glory.

BTW if you enter "Maxine Ashton Cassandra" into Google, this thread is the third link in the list! Surprised she hasn't seen it....

CAD, just like SAD is about deprivation, the only difference is that SAD is sunlight deprivation and CAD is emotional deprivation. as said by Maxine Aston 2005

http://www.faaas.org/doc.php?40,0

Oddly enough, after living with an NT for years, I have had all the symptoms she lists, too

I too am familiar with this feeling.

I just explain it as Nerdy Introvert Grump getting hitched with Needy Insufferable Frump for no other reason than who else would have them?

The psychologists say a remarkably similar thing, but without such interesting adjectives.

That's what I'm trying to get at: that all they are doing is labelling something that is just an aspect of human behaviour. An aspect we're all aware of but with different names.

The difference is that you can create a disease by giving some aspect of behaviour a psychological label. And then somebody can charge for curing the disease.

The big problem is that we are still waiting for the complete, inarguable definition of a Normal mind. Doctors know a huge amount about how a healthy body should operate, but hardly anything about a healthy mind. This is why we have 20,000+ on WP, yet no site at all for people with broken legs who like it that way and don't want to be cured.

Thought you may be interested in this
Another name to watch

Listening to Cassandra: The Hidden Impacts of Affective Deprivation
Disorder in Asperger’s Relationships
Harriet (Holly) Simons, Ph.D., L.I.C.S.W.
NOT AVAILABLE

While Asperger’s Syndrome and other social/emotional processing
disorders have begun to receive increased attention, little is known
about the impact of such deficits, diagnosed and undiagnosed, on the
non-AS life partners of those affected. Partners may realize that
something is dysfunctional in the relationship and despair that no
amount of conventional 'trying' can set things right. Particularly if
there has been no diagnosis, they may be unable to understand let
alone explain the dynamic. The inability of others, including
therapists, to recognize their plight compounds their distress. Others
may trivialize their loss of the desired relationship likening their
difficulties to stereotypical gender differences and/or failing to
realize how devastating long- term emotional deprivation can be. In
Greek mythology, Cassandra was given the gift of knowing the truth and
the curse of not being believed; many partners of AS individuals
identify as “Cassandras” feeling that her curse reflects their reality.

Faculty: Harriet (Holly) Simons, Ph.D., L.I.CS.W., received her
doctorate from the Heller School at Brandeis University where she was
a trainee in Public Policy and the Family. She has a private practice
in Wellesley treating individuals and couples. Dr. Simons is an
Adjunct Associate Professor at the Smith College School for Social
Work where she has served as a Research Advisor and has taught social
policy and research methods in the masters and doctoral programs. She
is a board member of FAAAS (Families of Adults Affected by Asperger's
Syndrome) and a member of AANE (Asperger's Association of New England).

http://www.smith.edu/ssw/geaa/academics ... b.php#231b

O, we know all about FAAAS Inc.

The f**k All Adult Autistics Society Incorporated.

Maxine's good friends with them and has made some very profitable appearances at their conferences..

We're watching them all...

[quote="HarryWilliams"]O, we know all about FAAAS Inc.

Yup me too BUT I had not ever noticed Dr Holly before!! Aaaaghh!

Harry Williams,

BTW could I ask who is 'we' as in watching them? Thanks in advance

Neurodiversity High Command and autistic advocates worldwide.

Neurodiversity HIGH COMMAND? Sorry Harry I think I am having a senior moment, could you elaborate? Thanks

A notional collective of radical underground activists, funded by big pharmaceutical companies, receiving their payments via night-time cash drops from black, unmarked helicopters...

See also:

The Illumanati,
Glaxo-Smith-Kline,
John Best,
Age of Autism,
Thimerosal.

Right, thank you. That should keep me busy for a while!

However, I am slightly cautious of your confidence But like you say, we haven't heard half............I will hibernate until May to find out................I am such a curious creature...............but then you know what that did to the cat!

That's what I'm trying to get at: that all they are doing is labelling something that is just an aspect of human behaviour. An aspect we're all aware of but with different names.

The difference is that you can create a disease by giving some aspect of behaviour a psychological label. And then somebody can charge for curing the disease.

I'm glad I've found some like-minded people. I was beginning to think I was very, very mad and in need of some Pink Cardigan Therapy...



Hello, I'm Maxine, your new therapist. You're about to embark on a journey of discovery. A journey where you will learn what a complete s**t you are and how crap you are in bed... And then your wife will leave you because she needs some extended, quality "Me Time", take your kids with her, because as an autistic you are a prime candidate to be a child abuser and naturally, the house too... That's £600 please. Same time next week?

HARRY!! PMSL.......................THE PINK CARDIGAN ............................ROFLMAO!


Have NO fear you are not alone!! I am a bit of a terrier, once I smell something nasty, I just HAVE to find out more.....................not sure I am liking what I am finding so far!!

Seems to me that she has NOTHING to base her 'disorder' on whatsoever.........................
Thank you for bringing all this to the attention of WP.

For £400 (report included), I would INSIST on a REPUTABLE, QUALIFIED DOCTOR!! Wouldn't you?
Recently I took my son to a Consultant Paediatric Neurologist privately............in London...............it cost £200 PLUS letter!

Ah! Yes, but if you look at her website, you can see that see carefully qualifies her work as an assessment not a diagnosis, because of course she's not qualified to diagnose PDD's - which according to the Royal College of Psychiatrists can be a very, very tricky job in adults - sometimes requiring a tertiary level referral and the services of a senior consultant and a multi-disciplinary team.

It hundreds of pounds for a non-diagnosis, from an unqualified 'research psychologist'. But she's got a City and Guilds in teacher training, and a sideline in treating post-traumatic stress disorder with eye movement reprogramming, so it'll work out fine in the end...

If you examine Maxine's web site (http://www.maxineaston.co.uk/cassandra/healing.shtml) you will see the section on the subject of "Healing of Cassandra". Maxine lists the following physical effects of Cassandra syndrome.

Migraines.
Loss or gain in weight.
PMT/female related problems.
ME (myalgic encephalomyelitis).
Low immune system - colds to cancer.

Maxine also claims that the Cassandra syndrome can develop as a "consequence of being in an intimate relationship with an adult with Asperger syndrome or a disorder that produces a low emotional/empathic quotient or Alexithymia" (these are Maxine’s own words).

I find these ideas insulting.