Why I want to cure or treat my Aspergers
Has anyone here even considered trying to help their symptoms? There were two new studies done last year, one that people with autism may have too many synapatic connections that shouldn't be there and one regarding sulforaphane which is broccoli sprout. A small double blinded study that showed it could ease the social impairments and lack of eye contact.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cWIvZR3YI44
http://sfari.org/news-and-opinion/news/ ... for-autism
I'm not sure if I'm the only person in the world who sees a problem and wants help. All aspies say they love having this condition and it's part of who they are. I do NOT feel the same way!
I feel like I'm defected like there's something wrong with my eyes speech pattern and overall facial expressions. I can barely think straight most of the time unless I'm on medication.
Why isn't anyone on wrongplanet discussing these new studies and possible ways to help the negative traits of autism?
Lastly, I don't want anyone to think I'm here to hate or not accept those who love themselves. But many of us have social issues we things we could be doing to improve ourselves..
Sweetleaf
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I am not opposed to treatments for the unpleasant symptoms, if it helps and doesn't cause more side effects or have more risks than it is worth. I feel like an attempt at curing autism would likely involves some sort of genetic modification or surgically rewiring the brain...and not so sure I trust drugs designed to diminish parts of the brain due to having to many synaptic connections or whatever, I mean what would it do to the rest of the brain and body for instance? I do take Valium for anxiety, haven't had luck with many other medications...though currently also taking one for depression related issues, that more just helps with sleep and appetite, I don't really know of any medications specifically for autism.
Also though not all traits are entirely unpleasant so I wouldn't want to lose the ones that aren't, or feel like an outsider in my own brain I suppose those are also concerns I have.
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Metal never dies. \m/
I can see how a cure would be tempting but the truth is there are none. Asperger's isn't like a sexually transmitted diseases that can be eradicated or controlled with medications - it is there forever and you have to learn to live with it. I personally made a lot of progress with dealing with symptoms. I barely ever get sensory overloads anymore. My parents always forced me into normalcy and I forced myself to be relatively social, so bit by bit I became more and more high functioning. I have met adults who just hid away and never went out of their comfort zone, and they are incapable of leading a healthy life. My advice is to expose yourself to what makes you uncomfortable. I am now the queen of sarcasm and until I was a teenager, I was incapable of understanding it or giving it. I numbed my senses by practicing my social skills, by not shying away from crowds, and by reaching outside my comfort zone. I can never go to clubs or parties with loud music and drinking, but I have improved so much from when I was a child and a teenager. Social awkwardness sucks but I have made improvements and I will continue to do so.
I don't "love" having Asperger's but I would never want to get rid of it. I don't enjoy being socially awkward, nor do I enjoy sensory overloads (although those are uncommon now,) but I don't reject this part of me either. Being autistic, being gay, being non-white, etc, are factors in life which can hinder you, but to reject them would be a great mistake because that means rejecting a part of yourself that will forever be with you. I accept my Asperger's and ADHD, and the moment I stopped trying to be 100% normal was the moment I felt better. It sucks, but I am just grateful my problem isn't a missing limb or being blind or being Schizophrenic. I am not bipolar, I do not have a personality disorder...I have social awkwardness and the occasional sensory overload and a highly active mind, and all things considered, that's not that bad.
I hope you can learn to make peace with who you are.
Oh, and to answer your question, people on wrongplanet don't discuss "cures" or whatnot for the same reason people on forums for homosexuality or bisexuality, etc, don't talk about ways to become straight.
goldfish21
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I'm pro-treatment.
In fact, over the past couple years I've treated myself quite successfully and have minimized my symptoms. I'm living a healthier, happier, wealthier second life for it.
If you'd like to read my story and what I've learned and done, feel free to pm me an email address and I'll send it to you.
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nick007
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In fact, over the past couple years I've treated myself quite successfully and have minimized my symptoms. I'm living a healthier, happier, wealthier second life for it.
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https://memory-alpha.fandom.com/wiki/Ru ... cquisition
The question is always, what do you want to be treated for. Since autism is a neurological condition with many different manifestations, it's pretty unlikely that there will ever be an effective treatment that doesn't just act like a sledge hammer. There is probably no way to "treat" or cure individual traits without affecting some of the others. Some are physiological and can't be treated, currently, such as problems with auditory processing or face blindness. Others are more behavioral, and usually stem from physiological problems. Up to a point, and depending on how severe any trait is, they can be managed. Sometimes that will require meds, but nobody responds to meds in exactly the same way. And considering the possible side effects, both short-term and long-term, it's best to learn that management for yourself. In that case, a therapist or counselor can be a useful adjunct.
This topic makes me sad. No one should have to feel like parts of them should be cured or removed.
There are lots of biological differences between autistic people and non-autistic people. There are also neurological differences between women and men, rich people and poor people, etc. No one knows what autism IS, so it cannot be removed. Symptoms that come with being painfully sensitive to an environment not suited to you can be alleviated, and you can alter your behavior. But people should keep this stuff in perspective.
I have pairs of high heels that are painful, but I wear them sometimes anyway. I could take medication to ease the pain, and walk differently so they don't hurt so much, but the real problem is the SHOE, not me.
Unfortunately you can't change society as easily as you can a shoe.
Sweetleaf
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I would have to agree, not to mention the fact it has so many different manifestations...would make any definate autism treatment/cure impossible since we don't all have the same severity of symptoms or might have more severe symptoms in some areas and lessor symptoms in others, so there couldn't be any one size fits all remedy. Of course then there is the idea of attempting to remove the autism and hope everything would fall into place...but what if that screws up other things? From what i understand they have come to suspect genetic mutation can play a role in autism (there is a good chance it does in my case since I actually have a diagnoses/documentation or whatever of having a genetic mutation), well what if there is a reason for the genetic mutation...what if the body did it to protect the person from something worse?
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Metal never dies. \m/
I do want to learn new skills and coping methods, though. I don't know why people so often think not wanting a cure means you don't want help.
And I hear this over and over and over from aspies. Question is, why do you think this condition defines you? Don't you think you'll become a better version of you and come out of your shell expressing who you truly are?
From what I understand, autism is a neurological impairment not something that defines a person.
goldfish21
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I do want to learn new skills and coping methods, though. I don't know why people so often think not wanting a cure means you don't want help.
And I hear this over and over and over from aspies. Question is, why do you think this condition defines you? Don't you think you'll become a better version of you and come out of your shell expressing who you truly are?
From what I understand, autism is a neurological impairment not something that defines a person.
THIS.
Since managing to treat my symptoms, I've simply become an ever better version of myself that's ever more capable of reaching my potential in life, work/career/business/finances, friendships, relationships etc. I'm still me, just a happier, healthier, wealthier me & I'd never ever EVER go back to being much more "Aspie" with all the negatives and difficulties that come with it - especially the anxiety and depression, social interactions aside.
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I do want to learn new skills and coping methods, though. I don't know why people so often think not wanting a cure means you don't want help.
And I hear this over and over and over from aspies. Question is, why do you think this condition defines you? Don't you think you'll become a better version of you and come out of your shell expressing who you truly are?
From what I understand, autism is a neurological impairment not something that defines a person.
THIS.
Since managing to treat my symptoms, I've simply become an ever better version of myself that's ever more capable of reaching my potential in life, work/career/business/finances, friendships, relationships etc. I'm still me, just a happier, healthier, wealthier me & I'd never ever EVER go back to being much more "Aspie" with all the negatives and difficulties that come with it - especially the anxiety and depression, social interactions aside.
Did you change your diet and lifestyle?
I'm trying some of the studies on myself that were mentioned earlier but am still on meds to manage my anxiety symptoms.
If only I could get my hands on that drug that prunes synapses I would take the risk, but it's way too expensive. Right now I'm doing the Broccoli Sprout and MMS Protocol.
I'm trying our parts work, self-mediated for now. It's a form of psychotherapy. I just had one of my subselves angrily claw at a useless worrying part like a feral cat, vanishing it into the mist. It felt great.
Yes this sounds crazy. Feels kinda of crazy too. This was my second time at interacting with my parts.
http://sfhelp.org/site/pkg.htm got me started on it. It's totally free, 100%, his youtube vids don't even have ads in them, so I don't think I'm breaking any rules by posting it. Also a nightmare to navigate.
Never underestimate the power of the mind.
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Not autistic, I think
Prone to depression
Have celiac disease
Poor motivation
goldfish21
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Joined: 17 Feb 2013
Age: 42
Gender: Male
Posts: 22,612
Location: Vancouver, BC, Canada
I do want to learn new skills and coping methods, though. I don't know why people so often think not wanting a cure means you don't want help.
And I hear this over and over and over from aspies. Question is, why do you think this condition defines you? Don't you think you'll become a better version of you and come out of your shell expressing who you truly are?
From what I understand, autism is a neurological impairment not something that defines a person.
THIS.
Since managing to treat my symptoms, I've simply become an ever better version of myself that's ever more capable of reaching my potential in life, work/career/business/finances, friendships, relationships etc. I'm still me, just a happier, healthier, wealthier me & I'd never ever EVER go back to being much more "Aspie" with all the negatives and difficulties that come with it - especially the anxiety and depression, social interactions aside.
Did you change your diet and lifestyle?
I'm trying some of the studies on myself that were mentioned earlier but am still on meds to manage my anxiety symptoms.
If only I could get my hands on that drug that prunes synapses I would take the risk, but it's way too expensive. Right now I'm doing the Broccoli Sprout and MMS Protocol.
Yes. Significantly.
Diet & medicinal herbs/oils, intestinal cleanses, probiotics both orally and as suppositories etc. I believe that treating the intestinal dysbiosis has resulted in my enteric nervous system firing properly in complement to my brain. You're welcome to read my story and what I've done. Feel free to send me a PM with an email address and I'll share.
_________________
No

Hi there! You are not alone with the hatred for your AS, many other aspies struggle and are in constant anguish with their symptoms, I know I did for a while it even drove me to the point of suicide at one point in my life, but overtime I learned to accept it, it took 18 year but hey, it happened, even then, I still struggle a lot and I'm under a lot of stress.
Unfortunately there is no real "cure" for aspergers or autism, only treatments and a lot of those treatments involve aspies themselves rebooting so to speak their entire brain. The best treatment I know of is a course of early intervention, cognitive therapy and a mix of many anti depressants and other meds. A good diet, excersize , schedule, and adequate and quality sleep CAN minimize troubling symptoms, reduce sensitivity and anxiety. Also, practicing social rules and skills is the only sure fire way to get rid of social awkwardness, it may take you longer than others to learn it but you CAN learn.
Aspergers is a life long disability, like someone with diabetes or asthma, with a good life style the bad stuff can be managed
Wishing you the best
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Obsessing over Sonic the Hedgehog since 2009
Diagnosed with Aspergers' syndrome in 2012.
Diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder Level 1 severity without intellectual disability and without language impairment in 2015.
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