Asperger's/PDD-NOS, Drug Overdoses, and Brain Damage

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Afternoon, all. For anonymity's sake, I'm just going to go ahead and say my name is deafghost52, and when I was about 6 or 7 (or maybe 3 - my memory's a little fuzzy, but I'll get to that), I was diagnosed with PDD-NOS; for those of you who don't know what that is, it stands for Pervasive Developmental Disorder-Not Otherwise Specified, meaning that it is a PDD (like ASD, Rhett's Syndrome, etc.) that is NOT specified in the DSM or other diagnostic media, and is therefore a bit of a peculiar anomaly. It is very similar to Asperger's Syndrome and other forms of High Functioning Autism, however - from my experience, at least - with one clear distinction: it is so named because of how difficult it is to classify it and relate it to Autism Disorders like Asperger's (i.e., people with PDD-NOS often pass as neurotypical - I know I do).

Anyways, with my diagnosis out of the way, I would like to ask the WP community a very troubling question that's been brewing in my mind lately: does Asperger's Syndrome/PDD-NOS have a connection with chronic headaches, and how do prescription overdoses contribute to this and other forms of brain damage? I'm asking this, because ever since I started overdosing on prescription meds back in 2011, I've had a more difficult time remembering experiences, retaining useful information, and quite frankly, I've just felt more cognitively sluggish in general, and it concerns me because I used to value my intellect above ALL of my other qualities.

I am 21 years old now (going on 22 in May), and for the past four years, I have overdosed on Strattera, Abilify, Depakote, Welbutrin, and combinations of the meds (Strattera/Abilify, Abilify/Depakote), with the first one in 2011 being the worst (although, I think that that was Abilify and another med that I no longer take). I don't even remember the first couple of days I spent in the psychiatric hospital after that overdose, that's how bad it was (I also struggled to remain conscious in the ER, from what my mom tells me). And today, I think I might be suffering some long-term brain damage (including chronic headaches) because of it. But, again, it could just be an Autism thing, which is why I would like your opinions on it.

My prognosis - it'll get worse, and I may actually end up becoming mentally ret*d or something without proper care and treatment (at least that's my greatest fear). This worries me so, as I am at a turning point in my college life where I'm switching majors from Music to Computer Science, and I could get an AS degree within a matter of a couple of semesters, and a BS not too much longer after that...but, I don't know if I can pull it off if my condition gets worse. I just can't seem to be able to do anything anymore like I used to; I'm a music savant with perfect pitch, but even THAT seems to be slipping a little bit. What should I do? What do YOU GUYS think is going on?

This is something you need to discuss with a doctor. You mentioned having seen been to a psychiatric hospital, so I assume you saw a psychiatrist. Do you still see one? If not, why?

Your cognitive abilities can change while taking normal doses of antidepressants/mood stabilizers, let alone having overdosed on multiple ones. I would suggest starting with a psychiatrist and seeing what they recommend... If you're still on medication, perhaps reducing it could help. If you're off it, then maybe they could refer you to a neuropsychologist and a neurologist to see if something else is going on.

I really don't think your cognitive decline has anything to do with your autism, but I suppose it's possible. Headaches can be caused by multiple things, so it would be hard to establish a connection there.

(People diagnosed with AS often pass for neurotypical too. I always have. PDD-NOS was given as a diagnosis when someone did not fully meet the criteria for either the AS or AD diagnoses.)

Autism spectrum conditions do not cause degenerative problems with cognition.

Anxiety, stress, depression and psychiatric illness can cause them and it's clear you have problems in that area which may affect how you are functioning. Fortunately, as mental health improves cognition usually improves alongside it.

But medication can be really dangerous stuff and it does impact on cognition and the impact can be permanent. People on the spectrum sometimes react more to medication than neurotypical people and even relatively low doses can cause difficulties - especially drugs that have psychoactive properties which should always be treated with care when prescribed to anyone.

My advice is see your doctor about this - sometimes lower doses can be just as effective for ASC anxiety and depression but make it easier to maintain function and it might be worth asking your doctor to help you explore that. Do not attempt to do so on your own though - playing with dosages can cause critical instability and withdrawal symptoms that would make things worse, not better, and put you at greater risk.

Thanks, guys! I kind of knew that going to a doctor would probably be the first thing I should consider (you know, to get checked out). I realize now that I was just kind of asking the question "what should I do about _____?" instead of "what are your experiences with _____?" That probably would have been a better approach, as I would be able to relate to some other people on this board a little better. Anyways, thanks again for your help. I'm relieved to finally understand that autism/AS doesn't cause any kind of degeneration in cognitive abilities, and that it is likely the overdoses (which I'm getting better at controlling). You know, it's kind of funny, and my mom denies it completely, but I'm kind of convinced that psychiatric doctors are in their profession for the money. I mean, think about it. You get someone on some meds because they have a documented "mental disorder"; then, when they get really stressed and depressed, they try to overdose on those meds, and when that doesn't work and they become afraid of dying by overdosing again, they try to keep on track with their meds (because they become unstable if they get off of them). So, the doctor essentially sets them up with meds that they can NEVER get off of, because they'll become too unstable and try to commit suicide again if they get off of them (at least, that's been my experience). I don't know, that might just be my old man talking (he hates any kind of doctor who works with the human brain). Again, thank you though - both of you.

The joy of the NHS - there's no reason to over-prescribe any medication!

However, medication used sensibly can be a lifesaver - literally.

I know people on the spectrum taking some pretty nasty medication long term - things like risperidone which given in small doses (one person I know is on a tenth of the lowest dose normally prescribed) can be really effective for anxiety - because it improves their lives immensely.

My daughter has pain amplification syndrome and is on a low dose of pregabilin. Without it she is in constant pain, with it she can feed herself and lift a glass of water amongst other activities essential for independent living.
I know that the drug is necessary and effective for her not just because I trust her consultant, but because her consultant worked hard to reduce the dose to the lowest possible while maintaining the effectiveness (pregabilin is not normally prescribed for children as a pain medication).

If you feel your doctor is untrustworthy, for whatever reason, and won't work with you to get your dosage right, perhaps you should look for another doctor - not all of them are only interested in the money.