AS and depression

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I read a recent article of particular interest, my reason for reading it was due to some of my work.

It noted in various research articles that people with AS are more likely to be suicidal or experience depression, however it argued this was due to the condition itself which I cannot seem to agree with (regrettably since it is a work document I was unable to retrieve it).

I would have argued that depression or suicidal ideation is more likely caused by the behaviors people with AS present, such as isolation or poor communication, my understanding is we as humans are social beings and when this need is not met it causes our mood to shift, so naturally I was not surprised when it suggested this group of people were a higher risk of suicide or depression.

Do you agree with this?
If not what is your view?
How do you cope with depression if you have it?

I've actually read in a few places that our suicidal ideation and depression is not as a result of being on the spectrum but being isolated because of our traits.

It's even mentioned in this controversial essay by John Elder Robinson about autistic men and child porn.

http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/my- ... alks-about

discovering wrong planet saved my life.

I think it's because nobody gets us... and they don't try.
It very well could be a byproduct of having a different sort of brain, though, maybe it affects the actual chemical stuff(?).
I don't know what can be done about it... have there been any good studies about anxiety? (paricularly about how to get rid of it )

I do not feel that my depressions are as much the result of my isolation, as they are of my having to live in a world where people are so disrespectful of others and animals. People and their blatently unethical conduct and their lack of morals are the problem and the cause of most of my depression. However, on the plus side I have learned to utilize my depressions in a positive way. It is during these periods that I am at my best mentally. This is when I derive most of my insights on life, the universe and everything. The depressions seem to be a tremendous boost for my creativity. I don't wallow in them, I use them to good advantage.

Now he did say that only a small percentage of people on the spectrum get into child porn. And only a small percentage of people who are neurotypical get into child porn.

Robinson said that actually a person on the spectrum is more likely to be abused.

I would agree with the isolation theory, I guess my question would be how people tackle it, and it bears me no surprise that people on the spectrum are a higher risk of abuse, i think that is quite evident in many cases with people who suffer an impairment of some kind.

This has been the best answer for me. I've found that interacting online has helped me considerably in understanding real life interaction. Probably still at a rudimentary level, but having been aloof and unaware for decades it's amazing how my perspective has changed.

I'm not completely isolated at all, but that lack of awareness on how to connect might be more defined as part of the condition itself vs just tying them to outward behaviors.

QFT! FINALLY somebody has SAID IT.

I think it depends on the individual and how AS affects their life. My AS affects my life in awkward ways that have caused depression over the years.

I come from an NT family, and nobody else (as far as I'm concerned) have any neurological differences, they are all just NT. So you can imagine how much that can make me feel isolated, seeing that all of my cousins (who were once close to me) growing apart and spending most of their spare time with their friends, going on vacation with them, and finding the right friends suitable for them. It makes me feel like I have never grown up, like they're leaving me behind. I know I shouldn't worry too much about what my cousins are doing but I just do.

Also I am not very bright. OK I've been told by two different counselors that I'm emotionally bright, like being able to open up about my feelings to people and knowing exactly how I feel about things (which apparently is supposed to be hard for people on the spectrum). But I am not intellectually bright. Just average or below.