No treatment for anxiety/OCD because of my autism?

[oliviamorgenstern]

(Sorry if this is the wrong forum, but i think it 'affects' every kind of autism and not just PDD-NOS)


As someone might know I'm diagnosed with something similar to PDD-NOS. The last year my anxiety and OCD have gotten a lot worse, to the point where there are loads of things i can't do anymore.
I'm, at this point, desperate for some kind of treatment!
Every time i talk to a therapist, doctor, psychiatrist or psychologist, i get the same message:

"You get anxiety and OCD symptoms because of your autism. You are stressed and overloaded, and this is your brains way of showing it. You need to relax and get some structure, then they will disappear."

i understand that. I know that when I'm overloaded, i get more symptoms. But I've had intrusive thoughts, compulsions and several anxiety symptoms as long as i can remember. I don't go to school, have a job or anything = I'm home 24/7, i get enough sleep, i try to relax and take care of myself and my general mental health and mood has gotten so much better.
There is no way that these symptoms can just disappear.

What is your opinion on this?
Shall people with autism be excluded for treatment for other mental illness?
I know that treatment may not work optimally (because of my autism) but it could still give me some tools and ideas to handle this.

- Olivia

 

[On the Inside]

I've had a similar experience, and I can tell you that treating the anxiety has made a big difference in my life.

I initially went to see a psychologist because I had a lot of anxiety and sleep problems. I've always been introverted and felt out of step with others, have been a bit of a social failure, but that didn't seem to set off any alarms to my therapist. Eventually, he had me tested for ADHD and that was positive. Then he said that if I treat the ADHD, my anxiety would diminish. He referred me to a psychiatrist for an ADHD medication prescription, which I took for about a year and a half, with mixed results.

Due to changes in my health coverage, I had to change therapists and psychiatrists. I was assessed for ASD, which was positive, was prescribed medication for anxiety, using talk therapy and coaching for Aspergers, and I've been doing so much better. I can now look at having Aspergers in a more detached way.

I think treating the symptom in this case is an important step, especially since the underlying cause, in my case Aspergers, is not treatable. Anxiety was ripping me up, it needed to be dealt with.

I hope you can get the help you need, good luck.

 

[Progster]

No, they shouldn't be excluded, and treatment given to people with autism is often medication for anxiety or depression or for many of the side affects of having autism, as autism itself cannot be treated. Anxiety disorders can be diagosed in their own right independently of autism, and they can and should be treated. I would go and see a different doctor and say, "please prescribe me a treatment for my anxiety, as it is rendering me unable to function." Failing that, there are some over the counter medications that you can get for anxiety - I have found a kind of anti-stress herbal tea which helps me quite a bit.

 

[King_Oni]

I suppose it's important to see if said anxiety is rational and perhaps set off by your autism, rather than it being a comorbid "illness" alongside.

If one is a result from the other, treatment might not be that helpful other than learning to cope with it. If it exists as a thing itself, then yes, I can see why you could and want need treatment.

 

[Drew]

Certraline is a good medication for anxiety and may help with ocd, speak to your doctor about it. If I spelt the name of the medication wrong I'm guessing someone here also takes it too. My son takes a medication called resperidone for psychosis. Ya could ask about both.

 

[oliviamorgenstern]

Thank you for your replies!
I've been to three different psychiatrists and the answer is always the same.
It is written several times in my mental health journal that I have social anxiety, agoraphobia, and other severe phobias, intrusive thoughts, compulsive traits (and also a lot other things that they will not diagnose).
When it comes to the diagnose they just conclude that it's 'because of my autism' and they won't treat me bc autism isn't a mental illness.

 

[oliviamorgenstern]

I've been on antipsychotic medication before but after a week they refused to pescripe me more. And again, the excuse was my autism. "You're not psychotic. You only hallucinate because you're stressed"

 

[Drew]

Speak to your gp ignore the psychiatrists I fail to see them as anything other than charlatan's are people that couldn't quite make it as doctors. Yes you have ASD bit that doesn't mean the other stuff goes untreated, that's like saying to a victim of violent crime that there agro phobic because of crime and require no treatment. You have ocd and anxiety because of how your brain works and that does need treatment. I would be more lost without my pills and potions.

 

[oliviamorgenstern]

Speak to your gp ignore the psychiatrists I fail to see them as anything other than charlatan's are people that couldn't quite make it as doctors. Yes you have ASD bit that doesn't mean the other stuff goes untreated, that's like saying to a victim of violent crime that there agro phobic because of crime and require no treatment. You have ocd and anxiety because of how your brain works and that does need treatment. I would be more lost without my pills and potions.

What does gp mean? I'm Danish so unfortunately my english isn't perfect

 

[Drew]

General practitioner

 

[oliviamorgenstern]

General practitioner

Oh, Like my doctor? Sorry if I've misunderstood.

 

[wyverary]

You mention being in your house 24/7. I don't think that's necessarily a good thing. Do you have some sort of exercise routine? Maybe even just going for a walk every day could help deal with your symptoms, add one more thing to your routine, get you out and about. I've sometimes found exercising (especially hiking) can do wonders for anxiety and depression. As for your therapy situation...well, I wish I could help with that. You'd be amazed how much "shopping around" you have to do before you find the right fit. I certainly agree with the others in that depression and anxiety merit treatment from a professional, and I'm sorry to see you've gotten blown off by so many.

Best
wyv

 

[oliviamorgenstern]

You mention being in your house 24/7. I don't think that's necessarily a good thing. Do you have some sort of exercise routine? Maybe even just going for a walk every day could help deal with your symptoms, add one more thing to your routine, get you out and about. I've sometimes found exercising (especially hiking) can do wonders for anxiety and depression. As for your therapy situation...well, I wish I could help with that. You'd be amazed how much "shopping around" you have to do before you find the right fit. I certainly agree with the others in that depression and anxiety merit treatment from a professional, and I'm sorry to see you've gotten blown off by so many.

Best
wyv

Thank You!
No, isolation have made things worse! No doubt.
Unfortunately my social anxiety bugs me so much that I can not walk around where I live.. I don't really have any friends anymore.
But I will start school in August! In a special ASD class, so hopefully I will get some friends and start to live again

 

[Drew]

I learned how to drive and though I don't always exit my car it did get me out of my house.

 

[Tia Maria]

I am not on the spectrum but it is also my understanding that anxiety, depression & OCD are NOT part of autism but are common co-morbid illnesses that should be treated. I am so surprised that multiple medical professionals have taken the position that you don't need treatment for these debilitating conditions.

As others here have already said, I hope you can get the proper help & relief from the symptoms soon. Try to incorporate a healthy lifestyle as much as possible too .... healthy nutrition, vitamins & exercise.

PS - Do you have any family members who could at least take a daily walk with you?

 

[Datura]

I can't believe that they aren't treating your co-morbid disorders. I have nothing more to add on that point, it's already been said.

As for the isolation issue; are there any local groups in your area for youth with autism? This might be a safe space where you can get out of the house and have some social contact without feeling overwhelmed. I know that socializing is difficult for most people on the spectrum, but most of us still require it on one level or an other.

Are there any other special areas of interest that others might share? Perhaps think of joining one. You could have a family member go first to act as a scout. That way they can determine how friendly the environment is and forewarn you of anything that might take you by surprise. They should also be on the lookout for allies, friendly people who hold sway in the group. A good ally can be made aware of your challenges and use their social capital to ease your transition into the social circle. I understand this must sound intimidating, but try taking small steps and you might be surprised how far you go.

 

[Warmheart]

Yes, emotional dysregulation is a part of ASD. With or without a therapist's help-- ideally, WITH the help of a seasoned
ASD specialist-- we are capable of developing our own awesome kick-butt Aspie toolkit.

Many of us have put in much time into developing disciplines which help ease anxiety and depression. These disciplines become like muscles we flex in daily practice. Through cumulative practice over time, these muscles and practices become fantastic, effective "right now remedies" for anxiety and depression. My disciplines include:
T'ai chi, Zen sitting meditation, "Wise Mind"/Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Reiki self-treatments, etc.

Until you have developed in a practice of your choosing, it can be wonderfully helpful to watch your thoughts.
Depression and anxiety makes me ask myself:
1.) "Am I having any typical ASD 'black & white thinking?' (Everything is either all good or all bad)
2.) "Am I catastrophizing?" (another ASD thing, which I am really experienced with )

You can also choose your thoughts. Choose good stuff for yourself! Choosing your thoughts lets you take your power back.

Remember that emotions are visitors. They are temporary. Strong anxiety and depression are very challenging visitors! Plus, for some of us, they visit waaayyy too often! As we become totally rockin' at our chosen disciplines, watch our thoughts, choose our thoughts... we remember that the emotion we have now, good or bad, is temporary.

Exercise helps with both anxiety and depression.

Support your super-active autistic brain with diet and hydration. All brains are resource hogs, and the autistic brain especially (with it's active kaleidoscopic autistic mindscape ) needs whole foods for high bioavailability of nutrients, quality proteins, and plenty of water. Learning which processed foods affect your mood and which do not, is a real help.

While I myself do not yet have an occupational therapist to create a sensory profile for me, and develop a sensory diet to help me regulate myself & my moods better. Perhaps an ASD specialist can help you find an OT to help you.

You are a whole and capable person. I believe in you! I am wishing you the best in finding a really skilled ASD specialist to help guide you in discovering your amazing strengths.

 

[AsheSkyler]

Nearly every medical site I see about autism tells people to treat their comorbids instead of ignore them. Perhaps you're in dire need of a second opinion from somebody who can come up with a better plan than "whatever, get over it"? Warmheart has some good tips, it's a very good start. Exercise does me wonders when I can get it.