[Autism] Diverted - The Impact Unexpected Changes Can Have
This is the latest film from the National Autistic Society (UK) that focuses on the impact that an unexpected change can have on an autistic person. It is part of their #TooMuchInformation campaign which aims to change the way the general public understand autism.
It's very easy for autistic people to feel overwhelmed sometimes, and public transport in particular can be a daunting challenge. Problems can range from issues with personal space, social expectations and sensory issues including smells and sounds. This video deals with the fear of unexpected changes, which is a problem many autistic people have to deal with, including myself. It's this fear that can prevent you from going out into the world, creating a sort of agoraphobia. It was this fear that ultimately cost me my job at a software development firm a few years back, as it was an hours drive away through several towns and the traffic could be so variable, if I was late as a result of traffic I felt like I'd let myself down and everyone else and when my car stopped working, well I just couldn't face the public transport. I wasn't diagnosed at the time either, in fact I barely even knew what autism was at that point. As far as I was aware, I was just screwing up, again. Knowing that these are things I struggle with, and why I struggle with them (to an extent) should help me going forward, but also in many ways the world seems that little bit scarier too.
What did you think of the video? It's a bit dramatic, but also at the same time it certainly feels representative of what I feel sometimes if I've gotta go somewhere, even in my own car. Let me know your thoughts and feelings in the comments down below, and as always make sure to follow me for the latest Cryptocurrency, Internet and Pop Culture updates. Until next time, Peace!
Source:
Diverted on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SDXNmRo4CX0)
Dear John, I value your courage to share your experience, your feelings and concerns of this life. were you diagnosed as autistic by those feelings? Have you done studies? I ask you because for me it is also a common feeling ... not long ago I suffered it on the subway, when it stopped between stations for a few minutes, for me it was centuries but the feeling is that I am going to die ... my diagnosis is attack of panic in this case, I studied a lot about it because I have suffered for years until having to be medicated by a psychiatrist.
My salvation was Yoga and the control of these devirtualizations that my mind performs today I can control them with my breathing.
It is not easy, it is necessary to delve much in our interior to be able to resurface as we can, but I am sure that it happens to a large part of humanity many more than we believe! Here I am steemit friend for what you need if I can support you in any way. A hug!
Hey, thank you so much!
My diagnosis was mainly due to issues during my childhood, plus the fact my brother has ADHD (which has a 60-70% genetic similarity to ASD according to recent research). I didn't start talking till roughly the age of 4, which is apparently quite common amongst autistic children. It was because of these feelings of extreme anxiety and at times depression that made me seek out some answers though, and hearing about other people's experiences and realising I'm not alone in it.
Panic attacks are something I also struggling with regularly. It's just like you say, like an overwhelming feeling of dread and doom. For me, there's always a part of my mind that can see that I'm getting too anxious over something, but that only makes the feelings worse. I started taking Beta-blockers a couple of years ago which helps with the symptoms of anxiety, but not the anxiety itself.
Yoga is something I keep meaning to look into, but I've long used breathing exercises and meditative techniques to keep me calm. What would you recommend for someone who would like to try Yoga, but maybe not in a group setting?
Music is a very big part of my coping techniques as well, with ambient/light jazz being particularly effective, along with classical and just familiar music.
It really isn't easy to delve into your interior like you say, but we're definitely not alone =] maybe it'll make us stronger in the long run? I know there are people who don't look inwards, and to be honest, I wouldn't want to be like that. How else can you grow?
Thank you, really =] I'm always here too! Take care x
I will take time to answer to you..., answer you soon :-)
Big hug!
@johngreenfield I could not help about autistic characteristics because I don´t have authority on that but I have a friend that is specialist on autistic children, she is very recognized in Argentina because of her work, if you like I could ask her to contact with you through messenger or skype or mail where she can guide you a little about therapies, etc.
About Panic attack, I suffer for several years and I was medicated too, did psychiatric therapy and psychologic therapy. This therapy where I was medicated with "clonazepam" I did not know how this drug was known in English that is an anxiolytic. At that opportunity I got pregnant and my hormones and nervous system worked completely different, I could leave the medication etc without problems but my doctor warned me that after pregnancy I could suffer relapses... and it happened several years later I suffer an episode of loose somebody very important for me, this person died and that fired the symptomatology again. I did not want to go back to the psychiatrist so I went to a neurologist who did studies (specifical urine) and determined that I had a lack of aminoacid and that was the cause of my attacks.
That's what I want to tell you that I do not know if doctors have already reviewed in you (aminoacids).
On the other hand, with respect to Yoga, I recommend a Therapeutic Yoga. You should look for a qualified teacher who has been trained in YOGA therapy and there is another system called "Feldenkrais" (here I found info for you: http://www.feldenkrais.co.uk/what.html) which I have not practiced but I know that he focuses all his focus on the nervous system and works from these characteristics, you can investigate this line.
I hope I could help you in any way, and let me know if you have doubts or questions.
Affectionate hug!
Sorry it's taken me a little longer than I'd have hoped to get back to you on this, I just wanted to be able to give it the attention it deserves.
To be perfectly honest, the autism side of things is neither here nor there. I'm more interested in tackling individual issues like anxiety and so on.
I've heard of that drug, I'm on a similar one called mirtazapine or something like that. I started taking it a couple of years ago, and still do as it tends to help with the symptoms of anxiety, along with beta blockers too.
That's very interesting, I've been meaning to go to the doctors recently, so I shall ask them about testing for amino acids. It certainly sounds likely to me, my diet hasn't been the best over the years. What did your doctor recommend you do to boost your amino acid levels?
I shall look into Feldenkrais and Yoga therapy, I know there's a few different classes and schools in the area.
Thank you so much for this, there's so much there for me to think on. I will definitely look further into the whole amino acids thing, it's not something I've researched before. Thank you again, your kind words really do mean so much to me! x
Found it! I'm so sorry I missed this, and I'll get back to you later this evening x
I'm glad I gave you a tip of another point of you so you can investigate ... with regard to the amino acids that my Neurologist (the specialty of the doctor who treated me was a Neurologist) had prescribed me, it was a preparation that I ordered at the pharmacy.
The study that he sent me to do was able to detect the lack of some was a urinalysis, I had to collect the urine for 24 hours and take it to the laboratory the next day. Many years ago ... it's what I remember.
I also remember that the doctor used to tell me that all the drugs that they prescribe as clorazepam, etc. at this time is to generate addiction because when they are deranged of this type with taking the missing amino acids for a few months is enough (that is, negotiated for the laboratories ...), he told me that in 6 months the results could be seen, it took me a little longer and I recognize that the anxiety issue is something that is part of me, now with Yoga I have learned to manage it Through breathing, I can detect it in advance and if I need to lower decibels I turn to natural things like Valerian, passionflower, linden, etc ... My Ayurvedic doctor gives me some fabulous tizanas to balance my nervous system.
I'm here! if you have doubts. A hug
Take a look! https://steemit.com/health/@marceladiomede/improve-your-health-with-geranium-oil-ayurvedatips
You can try, geranium ail aromatherapy may help with anxiety! nothing is lost with trying :-)
Looks interesting, I'll take a look now
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