Just out of interest........................ - Autism Spectrum Message Board

Picali · 08-26-2006, 04:42 AM

Hi Everyone,

Just read the thread started by Patcher a little while ago (Patcher, I hope the support from the boards is starting to make life a little easier for you. I really identify with how you feel and didn't want to 'jump' on your thread with this post). It just struck me how many of us are experiencing depression and other anxiety related disorders (I myself have Bi-Polar). I did read an article recently about links between psychiatric disorders and ASD - they were basically saying that they think genetic pre-dispositions to both conditions run in families and that the females tend to get the psychiatric stuff, the males tend to get ASD).

Any thoughts on this? How many others are there coping with their own psychiatric difficulties as well as their kids' learning difficulties? Is there history of either conditions in the family or have some parents found coping with the disorder has made them depressed? Do you find coping with the autism tough or dealing with the system (for my part my son's a breeze, it's the doctors and the teachers that drive me crazy).

I just find this really interesting - all the mums I meet with kids with difficulties also suffer from depression, often triggered by the pregnancy or the birth. Any views would be really welcome!

Janine x

9CatMom · 08-26-2006, 08:05 AM

I'm not a mother (except to cats) and don't feel I'm depressed, but I do have anxiety. Sometimes, when I get nervous I start have gagging attacks.

My heart goes out to everyone going through the problems associated with autism and Asperger's, and accompanying anxiety and depression. My problems are relatively small, but that doesn't mean I don't understand.

sross24 · 08-26-2006, 09:14 AM

I suffered for anxiety attacks for years (starting after the birth of my second daughter). After the birth of my fourth child, my anxiety got so much worse, I got postpartum depression, and required medication (which I still continue to take). I have four children, three with PDD-NOS.

-Steph

ferfyw · 08-26-2006, 03:16 PM

Hi Janine,

I can relate to all the parents of ASD kids who experience anxiety and/or depression. I have suffered from depression on and off since I can remember. When my son was diagnosed I also started experiencing really bad anxiety. Medication doesn't work for me. I am going to start seeing a cognitive-behavioral therapist soon. Exercise helps me a lot when I can get myself motivated to go to the gym. I have a lot family members who suffer from depression and anxiety. My son is doing great though- he is proof that early inervention does work.

Kathy

Picali · 08-29-2006, 11:04 AM

Hiya everyone,

Thanks for replying. Sorry to hear that things are difficult for you. 9catmum do you think your anxiety relates to the ASD? Did one come before the other (if you don't mind me asking?). Steph and Kathy, I wondered if you had been told that there was a link between depression and autism if it would have affected choices you made regarding your kids? The reason I'm being so nosy is because I'm talking with a friend at the minute about starting a campaign in the UK. We speak to loads of parents whose stories bear lots of similarites, and what we'd like to see is more information for parents even before they become parents. I've been prone to depression for a long time. If I'd known that might make my child more susceptible to ASD, then I would have done more research into things like vaccinations, medication, heavy metal build up, etc, and probably would have made different choices about some of the things that have happened over the last few years. I just wondered if you would have done anything differently and, if there is a link, if you'd have liked to have known about it sooner rather than later? I feel a little like I've been cheated - like someone could have warned me and things might have been different. I also wonder if children with 'depressive' parents should be screened more rigourously - here in the UK it can take years to get a diagnosis and I have had to fight continuously even to get him assessed.

Would love to know your views.