Hey? Autism/Asperger and anxiety, depression, ADHD, OCD, GAD, POTs

February 12, 2004

Hi all,

I am still in shock learning about my families autism. Seems to me, all of

the above apply to EDSer folk ... or not of course :-). In my case I was always

told I was an underachiever and later as an adult had either anxiety and

depression and later Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) and later even OCD. At

work

in later years I would get complaints about me not socializing, team player

or going out more, etc., etc. I was put on so many medications who knows what I

had. Later, it was found that the medicines themselves was causing my anxiety

and depression. It was only when I put my foot down and <<stopped>> the meds

did one doctor notice I was better. Other family members however continue on

various mood medicines.

Another first cousin had twins. One was diagnosed with an auditory disorder.

He would blank out in class and no longer hear you.

I am [was, I am too unfocused to paint these days] a Fine Art painter with

photographic memory. It certainly helped with the art work. Don't worry, most of

that good memory is gone now, lol. I read that a lot of what Aspergers sites

talk about sounds like things that happened to me. Especially with my own

brother having autism and savant abilities. Now with my 2nd cousin being

diagnosed, I wonder. I suppose a talented flexible person with great talent is

suspect.

Or am I reading this wrong.

Perhaps if I do have a mild case of AS it could finally explain my

mathematics problem. I can do math in my head very easily. No super tricks, but

I always

enjoyed getting my total before the supermarket cashier. I recall my

[unfortunately, unknown to them related parents] arguing at the dinner table

over days

of the week and money amounts. My father could remember the exact money

amounts on tax forms. We knew he had photographic memory and was used to that.

Mom,

could not memory tricks with money and stuff and got angry with Dad for

remembering it in such detail ... BUT she in turn would always remember the day

and

date something happened. It drove the two of them mad. [They argued forever

.... yet adored each other I suppose :-<]

My Dad's brother was ordinary but I was told stories that he had amazing

skill with learning languages. Yet in his day it was no use to him. Caro

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