Anchoring Bias and Autism: The Impact of Cognitive and Social Constructs on Autism Research
Anchoring bias occurs when initial information or assumptions disproportionately influence subsequent judgments and decisions. In autism research, this often manifests as interpretations and interventions based on neurotypical standards, potentially misaligning with the unique needs of autistic individuals.
Impact on Research and Intervention Approaches The application of anchoring bias in autism research has influenced diagnostic and assessment frameworks and the development of therapeutic interventions, such as Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). Traditionally, ABA has emphasized the acquisition of social skills, aligning autistic behaviours with neurotypical norms rather than focusing on the intrinsic strengths and needs of autistic individuals.
The Consequences for the Autistic Community One significant outcome of this biased approach is the predominant focus of ABA therapy on social skills training, which do not align with the primary developmental needs of autistic individuals. Research suggests that autistic brains may benefit more from systemizing approaches. This method helps make sense of overwhelming sensory and cognitive input before addressing social skills. Introducing social skills prematurely may overload the cognitive processing capabilities of autistic individuals, potentially hindering or stunting their natural developmental trajectory.
Systemizing Before Socializing The emphasis on premature social skills training through ABA might have inadvertently neglected the development of systemizing skills, which are crucial for autistic individuals to effectively manage and interpret their environments. Systemizing allows for a structured understanding of environmental inputs, essential before tackling social interactions’ more abstract and unpredictable nature.
The Need for a Shift in Research and Practice
Reevaluation of ABA Therapy: There is a growing call within the community to pause and critically evaluate the long-term effectiveness and impact of ABA therapy on autistic development. This reevaluation should consider whether the focus on social adaptability has been at the expense of more critical cognitive and sensory processing skills.
Further Studies to Address Anchoring Bias: Additional research is needed to confirm whether anchoring biases have led to ineffective or potentially harmful intervention strategies. This research should aim to redefine autism intervention from a perspective that values autistic ways of interacting with the world as different but not deficient.
Inclusion of Autistic Voices in Research: Incorporating insights from autistic individuals, including researchers, can provide a more accurate representation of autism. This inclusion helps to ensure that research and therapies are designed with an understanding of autistic experiences and needs.
Conclusion Acknowledging and addressing the influence of anchoring bias is crucial for advancing autism research and intervention strategies. By reassessing the role and outcomes of therapies like ABA, the research community can better support the neurological diversity of the autistic population. The ultimate goal should be to develop interventions that respect and enhance the natural learning processes of autistic individuals, rather than conforming them to an external standard of normalcy.
False cordiality, often referred to as feigned politeness or “being fake” is the act of exhibiting a friendly, polite, or agreeable demeanor while concealing true feelings, intentions, or thoughts. It’s a social strategy that may be employed for various reasons, from navigating awkward social situations to achieving strategic advantage in professional contexts. Here’s a more in-depth look at its aspects:
Characteristics of False Cordiality:
Disguised Emotions: Individuals may hide feelings of dislike, disinterest, or even contempt behind a veil of friendliness.
Strategic Interaction: False cordiality can be used to manipulate a situation or conversation in a way that benefits the person exhibiting it, often at the expense of genuine interaction.
Lack of Authenticity: The hallmark of false cordiality is a lack of sincerity. The individual’s actions do not align with their true feelings.
Contexts and Consequences:
Social Navigation: In social gatherings, people may use false cordiality to avoid conflict or to politely engage with others whom they may not genuinely like or respect.
Professional Advancement: In the workplace, false cordiality might be used to curry favor, to network, or to maintain a façade of professionalism when dealing with rivals or disliked colleagues.
Personal Relationships: Feigned cordiality can occur in strained personal relationships, where parties might maintain appearances for the sake of family unity or social standing.
Impact on Relationships:
Erosion of Trust: Over time, false cordiality can lead to a breakdown of trust if the true feelings behind the façade are revealed.
Miscommunication: It can cause confusion and misunderstanding, as the receiver may take the feigned emotions at face value.
Emotional Drain: Both parties can experience stress due to the lack of genuine communication and the emotional labor involved in maintaining a false front.
Philosophical and Psychological Perspectives:
Ethical Considerations: From an ethical standpoint, false cordiality raises questions about honesty and the virtue of authenticity in interpersonal relations.
Cognitive Dissonance: Engaging in behavior that contradicts one’s true feelings may lead to cognitive dissonance, a psychological conflict that arises from holding conflicting beliefs and actions.
Coping with False Cordiality:
Awareness: Being cognizant of one’s own use of false cordiality and its potential impacts can help mitigate negative outcomes.
Authenticity: Striving for authenticity, when possible, promotes healthier and more meaningful connections.
Tactful Honesty: Finding a balance between honesty and tact can allow for genuine interaction without causing undue harm or offense.
False cordiality is a complex social behavior with nuanced ethical implications. While it can serve as a useful social lubricant in certain contexts, its overuse or detection can lead to negative personal and professional consequences. Understanding and navigating the delicate balance between societal expectations of politeness and individual authenticity is a challenging but important aspect of social relations.
11 Smart Ways to Deal with Toxic People | Stoic Philosophy
11 Smart Ways to Deal with Toxic People | Stoic Philosophy
The Wisdom of Stoicism
Stoicism is a school of Hellenistic philosophy founded in Athens by Zeno of Citium in the early 3rd century BC. Stoicism teaches the development of self-control and fortitude as a means of overcoming destructive emotions. The philosophy asserts that virtue (such as wisdom) is happiness and judgment should be based on behavior, rather than words. Here’s a look into Stoicism:
Core Principles of Stoicism
Logic and Perception:
Stoics emphasize the importance of logic and the objective perception of the world. They believe in perceiving reality as it is, without the influence of personal bias or emotional reactions.
Virtue as the Sole Good:
The primary principle in Stoicism is that virtue alone is good and that it is sufficient for happiness. Virtue includes wisdom, justice, courage, and moderation.
Control and Indifference:
Stoics distinguish between things that are within our control (our own judgments, impulses, desires, and aversions) and those that are not (wealth, health, reputation). They strive to remain indifferent to what lies outside their control.
Practices of Stoicism
Mindfulness (Prosochē)
Awareness of Judgments:
Stoics believe that our judgments about impressions—our interpretations and the meanings we ascribe to external events—are the root of our emotions and actions.
Practicing Prosochē involves observing these judgments closely and critically, asking whether they align with reality and virtue.
Present Moment Focus:
By concentrating on the present moment, Stoics seek to avoid being swept away by thoughts of the past or anxieties about the future.
Mindfulness is a tool for remaining in the present, ensuring that one’s attention is not divided or distracted from the task or situation at hand.
Rational Use of Impressions:
Impressions are seen as neither good nor bad in themselves; it is the value we assign to them that gives them their moral weight.
Stoics strive to respond to these impressions rationally, rather than impulsively or emotionally.
Harmony with Nature:
Nature, to the Stoics, represents the rational order of the universe. Living in harmony with nature implies living according to reason and virtue.
Mindfulness ensures that one’s actions are deliberate and aligned with the Stoic virtues of wisdom, justice, courage, and moderation.
Virtue as a Guide:
Virtue is considered the sole good in Stoicism, and being mindful of one’s intentions and actions ensures that these are always striving towards virtue.
Practitioners reflect on their actions in the context of the common good and their roles within society, always working towards the betterment of themselves and others.
Self-Reflection and Adaptability:
Stoics regularly engage in self-reflection as a part of mindfulness practice, evaluating their progress and areas for improvement.
This reflection also involves adapting one’s behaviors and strategies in pursuit of a virtuous and wise life.
Dichotomy of Control
The Basic Dichotomy
Within Our Control: According to Stoicism, the only things truly within our control are our own thoughts, perceptions, and actions. This includes our judgments, intentions, desires, and aversions.
Outside Our Control: Everything external to our own mind and will is ultimately out of our control. This encompasses outcomes, other people’s thoughts and actions, our reputation, and most external events.
Implications for Living
Mental Freedom: By focusing on what is within our control, we can achieve freedom from the tyranny of external events. We no longer hinge our well-being on unpredictable or uncontrollable circumstances.
Emotional Serenity: When we stop trying to control what is not ours to control, we can maintain emotional balance. The Stoic ideal is to remain undisturbed by external events while finding joy and satisfaction in our internal moral life.
Proactive Living: The Dichotomy of Control does not imply passivity. Stoics advocate for taking responsible and considered actions within the sphere of what they can control, while being prepared to accept whatever outcome ensues.
Application in Daily Life
Setting Intentions: Recognize that while you can set goals and work towards them, the final outcomes depend on factors outside your control. The Stoic would focus on the effort, not the result.
Social Interactions: Understand that you cannot control other people’s actions or thoughts, only your reactions and attitudes towards them.
Emotional Management: When faced with negative emotions, remind yourself that it’s your judgments about an event, not the event itself, that are causing these feelings. Then, work to change those judgments.
Memento Mori and Premeditatio Malorum
“Memento Mori” and “Premeditatio Malorum” are two Stoic exercises designed to foster resilience and appreciation for life by confronting some of the most challenging aspects of human existence: mortality and misfortune.
Memento Mori: Remembering Death
Latin for “Remember that you must die,” Memento Mori is an exercise in reflection on the inevitability of death.
Purpose of Practice:
It encourages individuals to live with a heightened sense of the value of the present moment, knowing that life is temporary and fragile.
It serves as a motivator to engage in life fully and ethically, as each action could be one’s last.
It instills a sense of humility, as death is the great equalizer that all humanity shares regardless of status or wealth.
How It’s Practiced:
Through daily contemplation or symbolic reminders (such as skull imagery), individuals remember the transitory nature of life.
It’s used to gauge the importance of one’s actions and concerns, asking whether a given pursuit will hold value in the face of death.
Impact on Behavior:
This reflection is intended to strip away trivial concerns and refocus on what truly matters in life, such as virtuous living and the pursuit of wisdom.
Premeditatio Malorum: Anticipating Adversity
Latin for “Pre-meditation of Evils,” this practice involves contemplating potential future hardships or misfortunes.
Purpose of Practice:
To mentally prepare oneself for challenges and setbacks, thereby lessening their emotional impact when they occur.
To appreciate current conditions, no matter how humble or challenging, by understanding that circumstances could always be worse.
To develop contingency plans and the ability to adapt to changing situations.
How It’s Practiced:
Practitioners envision different scenarios in which things go wrong, ranging from minor inconveniences to significant life upheavals.
They visualize their response to these scenarios, fostering a prepared mindset and emotional resilience.
Impact on Behavior:
The practice is not about pessimism but readiness. It helps individuals maintain composure and practicality in the face of adversity.
It reinforces the idea of the Dichotomy of Control by highlighting what one can prepare for and what one can manage through one’s own actions.
View full lesson: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/the-philosophy-of-stoicism-massimo-pigliucci What is the best life we can live? How can we cope with whatever the universe throws at us and keep thriving nonetheless? The ancient Greco-Roman philosophy of Stoicism explains that while we may not always have control over the events affecting us, we can have control over how we approach things.
The philosophy of Stoicism – Massimo Pigliucci
The World Within – C.G. Jung in His Own Words – Documentary – Psychology audiobooks
The occipital lobe is a crucial component of the brain’s cerebral cortex, primarily responsible for processing visual information. It is the centre of visual perception, making it fundamental in understanding and interacting with the world around us. Here’s a detailed exploration of the occipital lobe, including its discovery, functions, development, and its relevance to variable visual processing in autism.
Discovery of the Occipital Lobe
The occipital lobe was first identified and named by the French anatomist François Magendie in the early 19th century. His studies laid the groundwork for subsequent research into brain localization and the specific roles of different brain areas, including the occipital lobe’s association with vision.
Function of the Occipital Lobe
The primary function of the occipital lobe is the processing of visual information. It houses the primary visual cortex, V1 or Brodmann area 17. This area receives input directly from the retina via the optic nerves and tracts through the lateral geniculate nucleus of the thalamus. The occipital lobe interprets these signals to understand various aspects of vision, such as:
Colour Recognition: Differentiating colours based on wavelength signals received.
Spatial Processing involves understanding the spatial location of objects, which helps gauge distances and the relationship of objects to one another.
Motion Perception: Detecting and interpreting movement.
Shape Recognition: Identifying the outlines and forms of visual objects.
Development of the Occipital Lobe
The development of the occipital lobe begins in utero and is significantly influenced by genetic and environmental factors. The primary visual cortex starts to form during the mid-stages of pregnancy and continues to mature after birth:
Prenatal Development: The basic structures form early in the second trimester. Neurons are generated, and as the fetus grows, these neurons migrate and organize into the distinct layers characteristic of the cerebral cortex.
Postnatal Development: After birth, the occipital lobe continues to develop rapidly. Visual experiences post-birth play a crucial role in the maturation of the visual cortex. Synaptic connections are strengthened, and myelination increases the speed of neural transmissions. This development extends into adolescence, refining the individual’s processing of complex visual information.
Variable Visual Processing in Autism
Variable visual processing in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) reflects the unique ways in which their brains handle visual information, leading to both enhanced and challenged visual capabilities:
Enhanced Detail Focus: Individuals with ASD often excel in tasks that require a keen eye for detail. This might include activities like assembling complex puzzles or noticing small changes in a familiar visual setup.
Challenges with Global Visual Integration: Despite the strength in detailed visual tasks, individuals with ASD may struggle with integrating these details into a holistic understanding. This can manifest as difficulties in recognizing faces, interpreting social cues from body language, or understanding complex scenes.
Neurological Basis: These variable processing abilities might stem from differences in how the occipital lobe and its connections with other brain areas, such as the temporal and frontal lobes, are developed and organized. Studies suggest alterations in the structure and function of the occipital lobe, including differences in myelination and synaptic development.
Impact on Daily Functioning: These visual processing differences can significantly affect daily functioning and quality of life, influencing how individuals with ASD interact with their environment and manage social relationships
Variable Visual Processing is a helpful skill for creating anything.
Enhanced Detail Recognition and Precision
Innovation in Design and Engineering: Precision in observing and manipulating details is crucial in micro-engineering, electronics, and software development, where minute details can significantly impact product functionality and efficiency.
Quality Control: The ability to notice minute anomalies or defects others might overlook can improve product quality and safety.
Pattern Recognition and Problem Solving
Complex Problem Solving: Innovators often need to see patterns in data that suggest solutions to complex problems. Those with strong pattern recognition skills can connect disparate pieces of information to create new technologies or systems.
Predictive Analytics: In fields like data science and economic forecasting, the ability to discern patterns and trends from visual data can lead to more accurate predictions and strategies for future developments.
Innovative Thinking
Novel Approaches: Seeing the world differently can lead to unique solutions that break from traditional methods, potentially leading to breakthrough innovations in science and technology.
Cross-disciplinary Applications: Variable visual processing might enable individuals to apply visual patterns and solutions from one discipline to another, fostering innovation through interdisciplinary approaches.
Strategic Advancements
Strategic Planning: Detailed visual processing can aid in mapping out complex plans and visualizing potential outcomes, which is essential in strategic roles in business, military, and research.
Simulation and Modeling: The ability to use detailed visual thinking can enhance the effectiveness of simulations and models used in science, urban planning, and environmental conservation, helping to predict outcomes before implementing real-world changes.
Artistic and Creative Expression
Creative Industries: In fields like graphic design, architecture, and multimedia arts, the ability to manipulate and innovate visually can lead to pioneering artistic expressions that define cultural trends and values.
Marketing and Advertising: Effective visual strategies are crucial in marketing and advertising, where capturing detail and patterns can significantly impact consumer behaviour.
6/06/2024- Skill building is my best coping mechanism to get me out of a funk
I am going to put a pin it and say this works for me. Also, there is a cease fire in my home. Building boundaries is not for the faint of heart. The amount of changes my family and I have gone through in the last few years, it hasn’t been easy. I force change on myself and force myself to go past my tolerance level often. In fact every argument I have had with my husband and it has been many, I learned something new about the brain, people you name it. When both my husband and I met we were twins with different terrible parenting that reached both sides of the spectrum in regards to parental neglect and abuse. Attachment styles here are ever changing because the truth is digging into yourself to visit nightmares of time past through constantly changing perspectives of knowledge of human behavior and why and then how- Thats alot of patterns too find. I think I have reached even the edges of google scholar in my research. The fine edges of the strange and interesting studies that have been done over the course of time.
I can not ignore or not take into account someones past or explanations for behaviors that are out of the ordinary. To ignore the beginning of any organic beings start or internal wrings seems awfully self centered. A person is a whole of series of events- that is who they are, and because of that I can be team player regardless of how our interpersonal relationship. If zombies are coming, I want some who grabs the bat when I say go- I don’t care what your likes and dislikes are- those belong to you-and I am ok with that- just along as your ok with mine. We don’t have to agree to work together. Everyone has a good idea cooking their brain. Also I don’t have to like a person to help them, nor will I doubt their experience when stated. I will take you for your word until you break it. I would hope you expected the same from me.
6/05/2024- Code Red Coping Mechanisms
I only have one code red mechanism, and I just made up that category for it. World of Warcraft. Its time to go take out my frustrations using virtual magical weapons. I just have to download it again . I am going to live stream my shitty gaming on Twitch as well, so back to work.
You saw my crash and burn this morning. I was in full meltdown- I was ready to move to Mongolia and live my best life out as a professional crier – luckily I did not buy a plane ticket. (Like I had money to- haha- I would’ve found a way)
Bank of America sent me a judgement for a credit card from 6 years ago- They are going to garnish the money in my bank account that I don’t have. 6 years ago? God bless america bullshit.
Is rent expensive in Mongolia? I heard Japan is nice too. Being six feet tall however might make it difficult to hide and find shoes there however. If I went to the Netherlands maybe, I could blend right in. My human suit lacks good camouflage ability so locals maybe limited.
6/5/2024- I quit for 30 minutes.
So I was just at the brink of despair and now I am back online. Just as a FYI don’t send emails out like I do when your upset. Wait, until the crying as stopped. If there was a job where I could be a professional crier I would take it right now and be employee of the month.
I had my appt with my monthly mental health doc and I feel better. She has been my only consistent supporter the last three years and deserves a medal.
I feel discouraged – I know my research is correct and worthy of review- how do I get someone to read it? I need it to test it in lab with equipment. If I had the money I’d buy my own damn equipment.
6/5/2024 – I quit.
06/5/2024- ten minutes later
My mind is spinning- cancel everything my brain says. I am going to have I think. I can’t afford t pay for this site, if I need to take care of myself. My husband has already implied that I am on my own if we divorce. To stay married I have to accept my twice a month word battering of miscellaneous things I do wrong- its everything, its hard to keep tabs on all my errors honestly. If you ask him, its me. So I will be the problem as always. I don’t have job because I stayed at home with my boys and no family now. So. Yeah- If I just fix me everything will be better…
I wish I could just vanish into thin air right now. I’m embarrassed. I ashamed. I can’t believe I actually thought anyone would care. My husband was right about that.
6/5/2024-Defeated.
Well, I finally got a hold of prof. cohen- I got basically a high five for website. I did a good job, but nothing more. I really wanted some feedback. Something more tangible then good job. I guess not having mathematical savant skills my downfall. I don’t know. There is a lot of people in the world that need a fancy title behind information for it to be true, and I hoped that this site could be reviewed to see if there is anything worthwhile to help facilitate some change or movement in this fucking biased world we live in. How in the world does anything happen if I can’t even get someone to take me seriously. Is it possible that someone without a degree could have deciphered autism? I sure thought I was pretty close but now I feel like a infantilized idiot.
Its so easy for non autistics, their world works fine for them. Maybe autism is like a hobby for them , like a play thing they dabble in and then go back to their easy worlds.
Yesterday, I spoke to the Dept of Education about my case at the community college. He implied (I think) that what happened at the college was just people being mean, but not discrimination. Its ok to be graded down for things outside of my realm of control. Because if I want to attend college then I need to make sure I can preform at a non autistic level. I could I guess, no kids, job- just school.. I probably could. For what though? I would hate myself everyday for all the mistakes etc I made trying to keep up. Its ok I guess.
I think that its an emergency when as autistic person , bias is so engrained in society that none of the supposed safe people that your taught to go to when you need help will help you.
We aren’t safe to be ourselves anywhere but our homes. If we leave our homes we should expect to be infantilized and dismissed.
All I know is, I would like to feel safe for once in my life. Not be scared of people , or things I don’t understand. Not always have look over my shoulder, or overthink to make sure I don’t miss something-
I really thought since people talked about helping autism so much they might like this site. But, no- it doesn’t puzzle pieces , or talk about how what a burden we are to society- I think thats what the world wants more of-
all this time and thought for a pat on the head. That was the last response I needed hear and I just crashed and burned this morning. I can’t stop crying. I wanted to change the world before my son had to live in as adult. I didn’t want him to live in a world where people thought he burden. I didn’t want him to experience what I am feeling and have felt this last three years. I dont think I could live a lifetime of this – like I am invisible. I feel like I let him down and at loss now.
6/2/2024-Catchy Title should go here.
I have been watching Healthy Gamer today on brain dissociation- He starts talking about alexithymia – and yes its a term heard quite a bit in the divergent community- but certain items that I am unable to put words to don’t make sense. Let me know what you think about the post I wrote- https://theneurodivergentbrain.org/alexithymia-or-synesthesia/
Dr. K’s Guide to Mental Health explores Depression, Anxiety, ADHD, and Meditation, and now Trauma! With 150+ video chapters in a Final Fantasy-inspired skilltree, the new Trauma module is available for preorder! https://bit.ly/3GaubzI Comprehensive mental health resources here: https://explore.healthygamer.gg/mentalhealthresources DISCLAIMER Healthy Gamer is an online community and resource platform for gamers and their families.
6/1/2024- I’ve got a lot done!
This week – my spouse left to go race and me and the kids were home unsupervised and it was awesome. For right now I wont speak about why its awesome other than not having to brace for constant conflict. Finally today my brain relaxed enough to do some python coding- I am building something , but I don’t want to say yet. I get huge ideas in my head and today I was able to make some progress towards it. I like coding and building things in this manner, I don’t enjoy doing it the easy way- or rather using builders. I don’t learn anything.
My sons did some tank building with cardboard last night and I finally have built my sleep pod or nook- I have found that small spaces make me feel secure, so I decided to experiment and see if I could improve my overall well being by creating one. I have been so stressed. Everything seems to fall apart at the same time- I am just unwilling to accept being treated poorly by anyone anymore.. My husband was the last adult in my life and my biggest bully. He’s the reason I found out I was autistic, because of him telling me something was wrong with me. My dumb memory too easily forgets negative behavior- I think because I all the things I have experienced in my life. Trauma is normal- People have always been terrible to me, especially the ones that were supposed to keep me safe. I’m glad I have all of you , knowing you are out there and that you might see me- that maybe this time I won’t be invisible, makes me feel safer then I have ever have. Thank you for being here and reading my words. I appreciate you more then you know.
5/29/2024- It is so hot outside
I do not do well with heat. I have been organizing. I think I want to sell some of my collections to help pay for this site, so I have to get organized. I am old now, and I am slower. No that’s not it…I get to cleaning and I am impatient- so I move things that are probably to heavy for me, and well– now my body aches. I want to do videos, I don’t think you guys want to look at the clutter behind me. I have so many books and things– I collect stuff. Books and trinkets. I was going to sell my shoe collection , just because they are taking up space, and I won’t wear them. I try to like shoes and socks. I just don’t like my feet hot and constricted. So I wear flip flops everywhere. With my gait and balance they are probably worst shoe to wear, because they sometimes slip off the feet, etc. I love them , but not sneakers. So I am trying to organize an I am also starting some new experiments. Sleep and horticulture. I am a horrible plant keeper. I simply can not be trusted with plants. However, it has improved as far survival time. So now instead of dying after 2 weeks maybe its 4 -6 . My reptile and chicken family is good- I can keep those alive just fine- just not plants. I refuse to give up. I need to clean up my mess so I will be back later- Glad you stopped by! Thank you for visiting.
5/26/2024-
If babies can use sign language to communicate–
and Tetsuro Matsuzawa is saying that chimps came down from the trees-lost memory to gain language
Remembering sign language uses memory
The assumption that if there is no verbal language that the communicator is of lower intellect or lower cognitive ability- why are we so sure that verbal language is the only language. Perhaps, we simply have not practiced other types of language in order for our brains to be good at it.
That seems close minded, no? That verbal language signifies superiority over any and all- But if a baby can sign before he can speak, that would indicate his visual language skills are the most important, because its prioritized over verbal language. A computer has a order of events in lets start up, or software install- a sequence of events that have to occur for the system to work smoothly.
Humans have prioritized socializing or being extroverts over everything so we push our children to speak very early when perhaps we are not supposed to be. We prioritize speaking over discovery. Don’t you think that is a problem? What inventions have we come up with recently? Time has not stopped, yet we as a civilization are on a infinite spring break. So concerned with how we are perceived and how we can achieve more material items for the self – we are no longer collectively working for the betterment of whole. Our human civilization will not survive if we continue. We have become glutenous Karen’s slowly eating ourselves alive because we are unwilling to change our behaviors. The time for talking has passed. We have the technology to get things done – eradicate disease, reduce waste, climate change, etc- no reason why we can’t turn things around.
—I cant think about that stuff too much- gives me a panic attack. Anyways- I have been trying to work the speed of the site today. I am still a rookie web developer so I make alot of mistakes. I am working on it. There is just so many steps – every plug in, analytic, whatever- has a zillion steps. I do this 24-7 just to get 50% right- It takes so long for me to learn things sometimes- and then to make things worse, its all my brain wants to do- anytime I get closer to learning something completely, my brain becomes obsessed to complete the task. I get a huge dopamine hit when I do finally it my mark or goal- let me tell ya- I trained myself to do this because my PDA is so bad. I don’t reward myself until I complete the task- so I will hold a carrot of some kind and then I just keep trying until I get that carrot. Then I make sure that I force my hand to do things-
Basically I trap myself in a corner in order to get myself to do things outside of my comfort zone on purpose. I know that whenever there something I have to do – I always have anxiety if I have not done it before or If I have no idea what will happen if I do that said thing (that is the missing connections in the brain from the irregular connectivity)- the anxiety will make me double over with abdominal pain its so bad. So I have to make that anxiety go away, right? Usually doing the uncomfortable thing will relieve it. Rarely it makes it worse. This knowledge comes from life experience. I’m going to be 49 this year and I have files quite a few life patterns- one of those patterns is that its never as bad as I think will be. That is my catastrophic thinking in play there, leading up to it I ruminate. And do I ever ruminate… over and over in my head.. the steps or whatever-
Once I do the unknown thing- the anxiety goes away usually- I found I have to manually insert the missing connection, or rather in order for the brain to make the final piece of the missing step I have to do the activity. I am assuming that is the at Neuroplasticity play there and I still make new connections to this day. You would be surprised how many new steps and things I have learned just in the past two years. So experience definitely helps my autism, at least. It most definitely reduces my anxiety. Now whenever I am anxious, I look at what I am anxious about, break it down like system or engine schematic , and work through it that way. If something is autism related, I simply compartmentalize it as simply that- a faulty wire, find a work around and move on. Same with my adhd and dyslexia- I find work arounds for everything. I know if I do something on repeat eventually I’ll memorize it. I try to have as much of my functions on auto pilot as possible hence my adherence to routine- sameness gives me more brain power. I like brain power. So now in my life, everything revolves around safekeeping my brain power. I loved college. Loved it. But when I started getting to overstimulated thinking about dumb stuff like word formatting, textbook quizzes, implied ambiguous instructions for assignments that preferred limited or narrow thinking (only using teacher provided information) I had to stop going.
Honestly I was disappointed and surprised that college was so narrow thinking-
Thinking small for me is like trying to squeeze a watermelon into jar. It makes me agitated and I actually start to tic. When I was doing the online quizzes from the text book website for Anthropology, the format had a lot of flashing things, implied questions, backwards question, then they ask the questions again- I would tik so bad- my motor skills using the mouse would then mis click which would make the quiz go longer- I told the professor. He only changed the mid term for me but didn’t change the others- even after I told him what it did to me physically- Isn’t that terrible?
Like to tell someone you are physically uncomfortable that your body twitching and tiking, and they just ignore it. I have found that reaction to be the most prevalent. acting as if I never said anything, or that my autism is the kind with no symptoms- because I was there , its assumed that I should just be able to overcome anything I have difficulty with- there is no room for autism in college- one has to be able to write and behave non autisticlly to be successful. I could do it- no kids , I could definitely do it- In the past I would have comprised my belief systems, and conformed. I won’t now. Why should I? There is nothing wrong with my thinking. And in the real world, no one cares if you office email is formatted perfectly. Plus I thought college was about learning and expanding our thinking- sticking to a year old text book- Very little lecture as well- I love lectures. I want know what the professor knows. I would assume if you are teaching it , you must know everything about the subject- well- I wanna know– Professors wouldn’t even entertain my big questions I had for them either. What a disappointment that was- couldn’t get intellectual banter going to save my life.
I love what if questions, experiments… if I add an egg instead of vegetable oil – or I wonder if I cover this box if my hens will use it- I do what if stuff all the time- That’s why this site goes down every now and then , because I am experimenting with word press. I can’t help it. I always got to fuck with shit- its in my DNA.
Oh and the entire world goes quiet around 2:30 in the afternoon my time. Not a visitor in site on my site- Oh- look- I am a poet and I didn’t even know it.
In fact, the poet Edgar Allen Poe was Autistic.. my personal opinion – I believe he writes about it in his poem “Alone”
I just checked on my chickens- I was thinking- I don’t know how information like this could be monetized to the extent that you have to pay or go to someone to get it- that is a imbalance of something- power maybe- it doesn’t seem right. I feel that feeling good enough to get out of bed to at least function somewhat normally is a fundamental human right- like breathing. Everyone deserves that opportunity to at least try without a mountain of challenges before them. Then it doesn’t even matter if we overcome things or whatever, because now we are know it alls and think we know everything and then we are rude about it. We can’t win either way. It we are able to do things then its expected now- who cares if you are working twice as hard- I see you can do it so you should be able to get over the rest. That’s the mentality- You seem fine- you don’t autistic- you don’t seem hyperactive- ok
Then non divergent’s forget that you work twice as hard daily. Your memories suck. Over and over we tell you and over and over you forget. Then get mad at us when we run out of batteries. Now we are a behavior problem. Couldn’t be bothered before and now you are incredibly bothered.
Just stop- quit crying- you always so angry- why are you like that- its not that hard- it just takes practice , you will get it- every one is little autistic- we all experience what you experience- isnt everyone a little adhd, come on- its for the medication, right? The instructions were clear, you need to pay better attention. Why are dropping things? Hold your plate and pay attention. Its irresponsible when you forget things, you need to be better. If you can’t handle your responsibilities maybe you shouldn’t have any responsibilities at all. I can’t handle your emotions, you cause me too much stress. Can’t you talk about something else? You are always interrupting me. Its rude when you don’t talk to people. Why are you so uptight? Maybe you should smile more, then people would like you. You always look unhappy? Are you ever happy? Pay attention to me when I speak. Look at me when I speak to you. Oh you think this funny. Oh you remember, you choose to forget. Its a choice. Oh, you stutter now, or you just want to get out of taking accountability.
Imagine that, your entire life, by everyone ,everywhere.
I am going to call my elopement moments “Popping a Fuse” . Like a breaker popped in the electrical system. Again. Fun times. That’s probably what happens- my brain overheats- hahaha
5/25/2024
So today I had another elopment thing- it needs a better name….I feel like the intensity is worse than a meltdown- and my thoughts more chaotic – almost like my brain is glitching or rather every connection is firing randomly and quickly- so the thoughts are random- its kind of scary because I don’t know what to do and all I want is to not even escape – like disappear into infinity. Stress from kids being sick is probably what got it going- Anyways, so I was laying in my RV, that is the farthest I get when escaping, I do not like to leave the perimeter of our lot. Gosh- that sounds pathetic- its not- its just a safet thing- my lot has a invisible kind of force field that makes me feel secure? Lord- I wish I could describe it better.
Ok so I am in the rv, crying hysterically, pleading with the universe to save me and it did, a thought came in through the woes of a pity party without any music (I couldn’t even watch tv- I was frozen) I thought I am regressing , then maybe I had a brain tumor- and then I remembered cognitive trade of hypothesis- My mind went to the years of lots of talking and selling over the phone when I worked at Citibank. I didn’t do any heavy thinking then. Nothing more then just social. that was the only thinking I did. I would go home be incredibly overstimulated- and I would drink. Vodka. At work, its not politically correct to drink booze on the job so I [took anti anxiety medication. Xanax. With that- I could work a day beautifully. Make sales goals, auto pilot- basically. There was no extensional thoughts really happening then. However, in the last three years my language skills have really dropped verbally- I feel like I process abstract ideas faster and recognize patterns faster. My memory still stinks and still takes me a long time to learn skills- But the ideas come faster and are more complex then they have ever been in my life.
I had a cognitive trade off on accident. By studying and researching daily- hours and hours and hours – I got smarter, but I sound like an idiot when I speak. It is getting very difficult for me. All my resources it feels goes to solving this autism stuff- and in the process I get more overstimulated faster now, I can’t be out in the world as long now.
I wasn’t given choice and I am kind of mad about that. I am not sure if I can have both. But I don’t want to give it up now that I have experienced it. Thinking is more interesting now, but I am way more lonely- I don’t encounter anyone who understands thinking ideas at this level .
SO anyway-after I thought of the cognitive trade off, my mind went directly to autism regression in toddlers and instantly the research articles I have over time flashed in my head- that’s it- all the pieces snap together click* click * click*
And I know that the world needs more awesome customer service reps like me, but don’t think the last twenty years I could have used this brain for something more? There is alot of brains just like mine out there just waiting to be turned on. And to keep doing things the way they have been is a huge waste in my opinion of really good brains. Honestly the best brains out there are being told that they aren’t good enough because they are too hyperactive or too sensitive about the tags in their shirts. How dumb is that? Your best brains you toss to the side because they require a little extra work- doesn’t that make sense? If someone has some unique traits they might have some unique negative traits as well?
No ones perfect. And no -you don’t talk in today’s world. Simple politeness will suffice.
Thank you to Tetsuro Matsuzawa at 8 minutes and 47 seconds in the video for pointing me in the right direction. Your words told me a thousand tales at that moment. Thank you for understanding and valuing communication in all its forms.
Humans are the only Earthlings with complex language. But at what cost was that ability acquired? In this episode, I visit Tetsuro Matsuzawa to learn about his influential cognitive tradeoff hypothesis. Available with YouTube Premium – https://www.youtube.com/premium/originals. To see if Premium is available in your country, click here: https://goo.gl/A3HtfP
Oh and I was looking at google earth and Pakistan. It is so beautiful there. I thought Alaskan mountains were majestic, but they just don’t compare. I also viewed a shop and they sold wall clocks. I love wall clocks. I collect them. I really love the 360 images of all the countries that visit this site. I have seen some beautiful places I didn’t even know existed. Marshall islands looked like heaven. I could live on the beach and be perfectly happy. The sand and the salt on my skin is terrible for my sensory but the wind on my face, and the smell of salt air just makes wash away. I love nature. All nature. When I am in it, its like in stereo, I can hear everything, and smell everything. I don’t have to have my eyes open- its better if they are shut- I see better when they are shut. Its a beautiful experience. Non-divergents are missing out- its pretty cool.
5/24/2024
My boys are better and my Bantam Hen had chicks 🙂
Its Friday- I need to go return something at the store and I am dreading it. I also need to find money for ads for this site, and Advertising is expensive. I am failing at search engine optimization , I don’t like those wacky titles and crap they recommend for google searches and I don’t want to mislead by a title either.. I want to everyone to know about it, but I just can’t do the tik tok, Instagram- I am terrible at promoting myself or anything I have done, I wish I could do it and be invisible at the same time. I’m not good at talking without practicing forever- Verbal language is not my first language, visual pictures are – and I never have the right word come to mind for the picture my head, especially on the fly- I’m sorry but the words in written language just don’t do my thoughts justice- they are never good enough- I find the act of verbalizing a hassle and its annoying that non autistics require so many words to communicate.
Little Mama and her babies
For me- I get annoyed when I am asked questions on the fly – like what am I doing, whilst in the middle of thought- and then I have come to earth and find words that satisfy the questioner- I don’t like to talk sometimes. I don’t like stories with peoples names in it because I face blindness so I have no idea what your talking about- I actually think I’d be better off I got a email 2 days of advance of any questions asked so I could be prepared and participate. Like list of conversations that will occur in a party I was attending- I would come prepared. I like participate.
Oh and my sister in law, used the word “hold” when I started interrupting her (I am so bad at that I choose not conversate) and I really loved that. Frist because hold means verbally and visually to wait- but it doesn’t signify I won’t let you talk – or I am shutting you up- and It allowed me to relax because I know automatically that I need to wait which lets me relax to listen. I told her so, I really appreciated it.
Also I know genocide is strong word. But if we as autistics can’t go anywhere to ask for help- Not the police, Medical, Education system, or our own family and friends- we might as well be dead. If society doesn’t care if we are abused, imprisoned, physical discomfort, or bullied- and as a group you all do it collectively, in open, blatantly – THEN empathize with each other on how difficult we are, post it on social media, and then wear a t-shirt with a puzzle piece that says you care.
Why then should I care? It doesn’t matter if I’m friendly or in distress- the treatment is the same- why should I bother wasting cognitive resources on masking, if you are just going to do it anyway- and then dismiss me. Naw. I don’t think so.
I have alot of anxiety today. I didn’t sleep well last night. Both my sons, they are 10 and 8 , had fevers. I don’t know why, but wow these ones are high this time. I was overstimulated all day, just from being on alert. This is when I helicopter parent. When I see them so uncomfortable it really effects my thinking. Not only is my mind flipping through every book , every sentence of every pediatric article I’ve read, making sure I don’t see anything that could indicate a emergency, I am encompassed by their sickness. It is like I am in their brain as well, feeling their fever with them. Its terrible. They are better today. Otto still has a sore throat but he is gaming on his tank game and Axel is playing on his. I got them oreo shakes from Denny’s. Their school requires them home fever free for 24 hours. And we have barely made ten. Hopefully we are past it. I should know better then to attempt big brain tasks on day like yesterday. As my rage seeping through yesterday text is indication. haha! I watched this video today, I liked the visuals that accompanied this video as well- tell me what you think-
This video attempts to provide a foundation on what power is, and the different perspectives and ideas that went into attempting to create a definition. Works Cited Robert A. Dahl – The Concept of Power Peter Bachrach and Morton Baratz – The Faces of Power Steven Lukes – Power: A Radical View Special thanks to /u/posterne, /u/samunico93, and Brennan G.
The Three Dimensions of Power by What The Politics
Both kids home sick today- stupid germs. And I noticed something again and I think it is worth noting. I get incredibly overstimulated to the point of agitation when attempting to learn something quickly that I do not like doing. I don’t like doing anything that requires a lot of steps. The more steps something has the least likely I will attempt to do it unless I have too. SO a lot of these software programs that are required in order to do web developing or graphic design require a infinite number of steps in order to do one thing it seems. As I sit here I get more and more squirmy, wiggly- creepy crawling skin – all at the same time trying to get the thing to do what I want.
I am sitting here attempting to learn premier pro to make a stupid video that my brain insists that I make at pro quality- omg- I get annoyed with myself. Its never enough to just haff ass it for me- no- I insist on creating what is in my fucking mind which usually requires years of college or education. So I force learn which makes me incredibly angry and overstimulated. I do it to myself and I simply cannot walk away and say its ok for it to be mediocre. No- I will sit here at my desk for hours until I get it exactly as it is in my fucking head. My house needs to be cleaned , I need another skill like I need a hole in my head. Seriously, I have a lot of skills for this reason. Is it good enough for me? Nope. I Need to learn MORE! , It is never… ever… enough learning here at my desk . I actually crave doing this torture. It drivers me nuts but I love it…
P.s. Adobe software is soooooooo frustrating, I swear I want pull my insides out over my head and run away. Thank you for listening.
5/19/2024 10:33pm Later that evening-
I know I said sleep was important but I got sleep last night and I’m not tired yet. Take a look at this map I’ve been working on–
First, I am ashamed to admit I didn’t even know some of your countries even existed. And island out at sea that people actually live on. Ignorance? Object permeance? I don’t know, but now I am fascinated. I am not surprised at the immense need out of India in regards to autism help. Going to street view and seeing how visually stimulating it is , in addition to navigating around people and obstacles could make someone incredibly overstimulated by mid morning! Sometimes looking down can reduce the overstimulation, or looking away – if its possible. Like if you take public transportation and you don’t have to see where your going. In addition to the noise and smells from cooking – anything additional is going to tire you out, maybe increase agitation and rage/anger – everything adds up in your day when it comes to your processing of your environment. (that’s why you don’t like change, it makes things hard for your brain- because your brain going to take in all the extra stuff that it might alternativity filter out if you were non autistic. The more extra crap you give your brain to do that isn’t necessary will take away from your ability use that smart brain of yours. We have to manage our energy and how we spend it. Is it worth it is always the question I ask myself and is there a way to modify it so it doesn’t use so much energy- someone else drive, or someone else make the decision and so on- My brain juice is valuable to me so I now guard it with my life. I want to use that IQ that was given to me so I need to use less energy compensating. So I use headphones, look down, limit my activities, make sure I eat, and try to get sleep— if I do those things my brain solves puzzles faster. You see?
oh and here is video of me and my daughter 12 years ago maybe.
It wasn’t until this month I realized I experienced elopement and in that realization, realized that I had been doing it all my life in one way or another. Now, I’ve shared that I have had a tough time, but this last three weeks have been a doozy. I can say without a doubt that I am autistic simply because even when I am in full meltdown my brain goes what are you feeling right now, lets analyze it- data first before myself, LOL. That sounds kind of of sad if you weren’t autistic , but it helps get me out of it quicker now then it ever did in my lifetime. I use these autistic traits to my advantage now purposefully. I know if I start doing my special interest I can hyperfocus to give myself a break, but this time I couldn’t. During a elopement episode a few weeks ago, my husband and I had a argument again- he has narcisstic personality disorder so he has terrible empathy skills and sometimes I react with a mouth full of words that aren’t nice and usually isn’t a good recipe for good communication. NPD I think can be treated like autism, in the sense of masking and cognitive load- so if he is tired his ability to mask is reduced just like mine.
Anyways, I texted my dad telling him I was going to leave my husband, and my dad blocked on his phone. So I text him from a different number and it goes through. Then my daughter calls me and tells me and says my mom is too stressed out to deal with me. Basically washed her hands of me I guess. She was unhappy with me because I was holding my boundaries. I didn’t want to talk, without talking about the past. It needs to be resolved.
Like Mom, I’m seriously autistic and your like whatever? GO kick rocks? Because you thought I was fine we are just gonna brush under the rug all the years of you telling me I was lazy, even writing me a contract at age 18, that if I didn’t do more as far participating in chores or whatever you would kick me and my cat out? I was working full time and going to community college. I was sleeping a lot , I was really tired. It takes a lot of work to compensate for as many impairments that I have. Its a long list Mom, you didn’t see it?
She didn’t want to talk about it. Too painful. For her. So- The past few weeks, it took me a bit to get to the grief part. Wow the rejection, words can’t express-
Anyways, this last elopement , I went to the lawyer and I called the cops on my husband. You know why? Because I came home and he was selling the chameleon enclosures that I previously gave him permission to sell, and he was doing it on the day I informed him I was done. At that moment my brain thinks if this man could sell my chameleon enclosures he capable of anything! (now my brain goes to every episode of dateline I’ve watched in a lifetime) My brain goes red alert and bam- JE SUIS FINI ! Right, then my passport came in the mail and I was gonna get on plane to somewhere, I hadn’t thought of it yet. Then after being at the lawyer’s office and the woman saying to me “you don’t look autistic” with a I’m sorry face- That is when I sent a rambling email to Professor Baron-Cohen to review my site.
I will say during elopement I will do things completely out of my comfort zone. Even emailing people. I don’t like to talk to people unless it is completely necessary. Not text, not email, nada- doing this blog feels like aimless typing because I don’t know any of you therefore you really don’t exist in mind. Object Permeance is severe for me- seriously if its not in front of me it does not exist. Do you know how many duplicates and triplicates of things I have. Its terrible.
I was punished a lot for my impairments so I am still working trough a lot of anxiety. I think it gets better however when I can identify it and then see the process in the brain. I have learned so much about the brain simply so I could visualize the pathways. I’m such a dork. I had brain posters up everywhere- just to keep seeing the systems to understand the psychology.
I found though cognition science is my go to. I love computers and the brain is so similar. I haven’t read this anywhere, but I think human memory is like a computers ram memory. so without significant memory or ram the brain processes just like computer processes don’t work. And sleep effectively charges the human brain memory , and something like overstimulation which could be equivalent lets say to static to a computer processing components, impairs the processing ability and reduces what the brain is capable of doing. Hence why its so important to reduce overstimulation as much as possible and in addition make sleep the most important thing in your life. Your bed is your charging block, it gives you the ability to overcome and make appropriate compensations throughout the day. Reduce overstimulation and now your brain works at full capacity. Now learning can happen. I didn’t know I could all the shit I am doing now. I was doing nothing for 26 years of my adult life- basic stuff and barely doing that. I never could have imagined my brain now. It zips.
And you know what else? I have taken so many those IQ tests and done shitty. My dad didn’t even want to test me, because my brother got tested and he was gifted, how about me? I read on reddit a month or a go about cogdna- and I had my ancestry DNA done ( by the way generations of military soldiers,- back even to England)
Anyways, It said my genetic IQ was 129. I believe that, most of its spent compensating – for what I can do , it makes sense. So I just use as many tools as I can find, and get it done. I don’t know any different then having double dyslexia, squirmy ADHD, with my data loving autism brain. I am perfectly fine, its just the world that is so unforgiving. Come on, why the strange looks and shit if someone makes a mistake or something.
Here is the thing- I am a old lady- I’ve been around the block. Everyone makes mistakes. I thought I was normal because honestly non autistics have it way worse then me. You guys have social constructs always in your face determing your decisions, who your friends with, how many likes and followers – and that’s where your value comes from.
You make mistakes all the time yet have made these rules for yourselves that mistakes weren’t ok. I am ok with sharing my mistakes to you. Your opinion of my mistakes does not determine my value. I learn from my mistakes. They are incredibly useful to me. I don’t care what your politics are, or the money your bank account. It is and will always be the quality of your character. That’s it. Anyone can turn their lives around and make change happen-
So I believe the world can change. I don’t think the bias can change without us as a community holding firm to our boundaries. Saying no I will not comprise myself, my thoughts, my behaviors, for anyone. Absolutely Not. I’ve already filled two complaints with the department of education and I am going start doing it to businesses that openly discriminate. Businesses don’t even hide it. They are betting on the system not believing us. That’s got to change.
I am not exaggerating- its terrible. The bias is out in the open and verbalized. They are not afraid to even visually show their displeasure of the autism. The face of people is gross when I tell them I am autistic. Everyone. Every single person I have encountered shows the same stupid face. Its like eww– your autistic- like I have disease or something. I did not think people were this ignorant my whole life, until I experienced this over and over for the past 3 years. I watch their face go from I am a normal middle aged woman to as soon as I say autistic- the face and eyes twist and contort in a contempt so gross – that’s the best word I can come up with, it makes me ill, sick to my stomach the face change. How the fuck did I lose value instantly? Fuck that.
What the fuck is autism supposed to look like? Why the fuck do think its ok to fucking say that to me? I’m sorry, why are feeling bad for me? I am glad I am autistic and I am even more glad I am not normal. Thank the Lord. Seriously, I can’t even imagine how much time I would waste socializing.
GIPHY is the platform that animates your world. Find the GIFs, Clips, and Stickers that make your conversations more positive, more expressive, and more you.
Random thoughts. Opinions of the mind.
Ongoing list. Take it or leave it.
4/17/2024
Autism is not a condition; it is a state of being. You either are, or you aren’t. Want to know if it is a disability? Imagine a world built by Autistics; what would it be like? Do you think a non-autistic could live in a world designed by Autistics for Autistics? No. They couldn’t. They would be unable to overcome their “social constructs” to function normally. I love to research 24/7, and I can work for days on end and be happy as a clam. Non-autistics take a lot of breaks and vacations, and they hate the required work schedule. The strict adherence to policy and procedure couples with soft shit everywhere.
How about a world built by ADHD’rs for ADHD humans? I know for sure my son would love a world with techno music on the radio, hobby stores everywhere, and the number one rule is never to walk up on a person in hyperfocus with a steep penalty of cleaning the dorm rooms of a local ADHD University students, where no one has to sit down to listen to a lecture. It’s just a giant room with a bunch of trampolines, with a giant Imax screen showing the professor’s face with huge closed captioning block letters on it , and everyone has headphones bouncing away learning…
I don’t think our non-autistic friends can see the big picture here. Autistics were designed this way. Adhd is a design, engineering, and Invention theory. Hello. Today, I introduce my Human Theory. To invent or create something with any human impact-
can we all agree that someone would have to spend many hours doing that one thing?
Can we all agree that getting something to work or proving a theory would require many revisions to perfect it?
There are so many hours in a day, and time moves very fast during the day when attempting to debug an idea, etc. Non-autistics are NOT going to spend every waking moment doing something for the greater good and forgo everything, including social, monetary, etc, to study one idea for years. Non-autistics are not equipt to do that. They are supposed to implement the invention or theory or whatever. You need social skills to get large groups of labourers to do a project. Somebody has to be the Project Foreman, leader, etc. Individuals with NPD typically honour those roles. An average person wouldn’t be interested in being President; he is at a barbecue at his neighbours for football. Then you have normal people doing normal things, which means people probably will get hurt, etc., and now we have nurses and doctors on the opposite side of the “Human Spectrum”, which I like to call it.
The one pattern I noticed while I attended college was how these so-called “disorders” (Autism, ADHD, etc.) listed had something unique attached to them. Dyslexia/Visual-Spatial ADHD/Hyperfocus Autism/ Sytemizing that isn’t a coincidence. For humans to evolve as a society, there would need to be specialized groups born to do certain things; otherwise, we would all be on TikTok making funny t-shirts.
Think of chameleons for example, veiled and panther, both chameleons, but different. Veiled chameleons thrive in South Florida; they are this perfect lime green colour that blends in perfectly. They have become an elusive species there. However, you won’t find any Panther chameleons there simply because they are just too colourful. They also are more sensitive to climate and humidity than Veiled Chameleons. Otherwise, they are seemingly the same lizard despite the visual confirmation of colour difference. Why would non-autistic humans believe they are the sole example of a baseline human? That there are no other “variations”? Science finds a way; Jeff Goldblum taught us that.
I have never seen a genetically perfect human raised in an ideal environment for maximum potential. To have a baseline, we need to know that person wherever they are. To make a fair determination that non-autistics are indeed normal. I need proof.
What about this ABA therapy? Who allowed you to go inside our brains and try and change them? I am horrified at the thought of who I would be if I were born in the last 20 years. I would be in therapies up the wazoo! I didn’t talk. I drank Drano under the sink! I suffered elopement. I didn’t like to be touched.
I am here to tell you that, at age 48, you don’t have to talk to survive!! How many generations of autistics will be affected by the damage caused by ABA therapies? The reason there are so many autistics now is because LOOK AROUND. There is so much noise and just stuff everywhere, all the time! It’s sensory overload. It’s not rocket science. And then you don’t give these kids time to develop. We are just slow because of that brain growth; all the connectivity has to catch up and manage the sensory shit. We aren’t DESIGNED to be social. Someone has to stay home and invent the stuff, ok?
All the sameness and need for predictability are so we can spend more time INVENTING! We should not worry about how our faces look. Thinking about details like eating and clothing wastes time and is better spent researching and investigating things. Plus, our design makes it more efficient for the brain to do this.The autistic brain uses systemizing for efficiency and if properly allowed to do so can do amazing things. If you allow the ADHD brain to do its way, imagine the greatness we could see. If we nourished these children for the gifts they provide then maybe we might get to live on the Moon.
Understanding and Supporting Autistic Needs: Understanding Intuition and Autism
Intuition, often an innate ability to understand or know something without conscious reasoning, stems from our brain’s ability to recognize patterns and make connections based on prior experience. This intuitive process is fast and operates below conscious thought, allowing people to make quick judgments and decisions.
How Intuition Works
Intuition happens when the brain draws on past experiences, emotions, and cognitive processes that are not immediately accessible to the conscious mind. For neurotypical individuals, this can lead to rapid assessments and decisions without analysing every detail consciously. For instance, someone might feel uneasy about a situation without consciously knowing why, only to realize later that subconsciously, they had noticed red flags based on previous similar experiences.
Challenges for Autistic Individuals
For many autistic individuals, intuitive thinking can be less accessible due to differences in how their brains process information. The unique patterns of brain connectivity are often described as having enhanced local processing but reduced long-range connectivity between different brain regions. This configuration can affect how information is integrated and how experiences are generalized.
Autistic people may not automatically access or rely on intuitive judgments similarly because their brains do not seamlessly connect past experiences with current situations. They may need explicit information and clear logic to understand and process new or complex conditions, which is why unanswered questions (“Why?” questions) can be particularly distressing and anxiety-inducing.
Understanding the Impact of Non-Responsiveness on Autistic Individuals
Having answers is not just a “want”; it is to avoid physical discomfort in the body and the mind when we don’t know. Routine and predictability nurture both mental and physical wellness, enabling us to engage fully in life, much like our non-autistic counterparts do instinctively
Heightened Stress Response: Autistic individuals may experience an elevated stress response when faced with uncertainty. The brain’s amygdala, which processes emotions, could interpret the lack of explanation as a potential threat, triggering anxiety or even panic.
Cognitive Overload: The need for detailed processing means that without clear and complete information, the brain of an autistic person might struggle to resolve pending questions, leading to obsessive thought patterns and mental fatigue.
Sense of Insecurity: Consistently unanswered questions can leave autistic individuals feeling ignored or misunderstood. This lack of communicative clarity can undermine their sense of security and lower self-esteem.
Increased Emotional Sensitivity: The stress from unclear communication can intensify emotional responses. This heightened sensitivity can result in more frequent or severe emotional outbursts, which are expressions of the underlying distress.
Communication Strategies
Understanding this need for clarity and explicit information can guide how one communicates with autistic individuals. Here are some practical tips:
Overexplain Rather Than Underexplain: Provide detailed and structured information when explaining concepts or instructions. Breaking down tasks into clear, logical steps helps prevent misunderstandings and reduces anxiety for autistic individuals.
Validate and Acknowledge: If you don’t have an answer immediately, it’s okay to admit it. However, follow up with a commitment to find out. This approach acknowledges the question, validates the person’s need for information, and closes the loop by promising a resolution.
Avoid Frustration and Keep Communication Open: It can be easy to become impatient if someone repeatedly asks why or needs detailed explanations for things that seem obvious. However, remember that this need stems from a genuine desire to understand the world in a way that makes sense to them.
Create Predictable Communication Patterns: Since autistic individuals often find comfort and security in predictability, try to be consistent in your interactions and how you provide information.
Conclusion
For autistic individuals, not knowing “why” isn’t just a minor irritation—it can lead to significant anxiety and prolonged mental strain as their brain struggles to “close the loop” and complete the system. By providing clear, detailed explanations and acknowledging when more information is needed, caregivers and communicators can greatly assist autistic individuals in managing daily interactions and reducing the cognitive load from trying to piece together unclear or incomplete information. This approach doesn’t just help autistic individuals cope—it enriches their lives by making the world more understandable and navigable.
Education is evolving, and the advent of open courseware represents a significant shift towards more accessible and self-directed learning opportunities. These resources are ideal for those who prefer to learn outside traditional classroom settings and at a pace that suits their needs.
MIT OpenCourseWare is a web based publication of virtually all MIT course content. OCW is open and available to the world and is a permanent MIT activity
MIT Open courseware. Listen to lectures while you game. Impress your guild.
METU OpenCourseWareMETU OpenCourseWare is a free and open educational resource for faculty, students, and self-learners throughout the world.We hope you find METU OpenCourseWare valuable whether you’re: a student looking for some extra help a faculty member trying to prepare a new course or someone interested in learning more about a subject that interests you.METU OpenCourseWare does not grant credits or degrees, and does not provide access to faculty.
Middle East Tech Open courseware/ Learn Electromagnetic Theory and then try to explain it to your kids.
Harvard University’s introduction to the intellectual enterprises of computer science and the art of programming.
Computer Science AT Harvard/ Learn how to program and build a tiny GPS microchip to put one everyday household frequently lost items. Market it to vape companies.
Open Yale Courses provides free and open access to a selection of introductory courses taught by distinguished teachers and scholars at Yale University. The aim of the project is to expand access to educational materials for all who wish to learn.
Yale Open Courseware/ Learn Chemistry and develop a non-toxic window cleaner that can be safely used around reptiles.
Explore a free library of MIT courses, material, and curriculum from MIT OpenCourseWare.
MIT Online Courses/ Open Learning / Make a difference with your systematic brain, invent a better way to make homes more efficient without breaking the bank.
Cognitive overload occurs when the demands on an individual’s mental processing exceed their capacity to handle them effectively. This state is not just about feeling temporarily overwhelmed; it’s a critical precursor to burnout—a severe and often debilitating state of mental, emotional, and physical exhaustion.
What is Burnout?
Burnout results from prolonged exposure to excessive stress, including the sustained cognitive effort required to manage day-to-day activities, work-related tasks, or the complexities of interacting with a neurodivergent family member or friend. The intensity and duration of cognitive overload can significantly influence the severity and recovery period of burnout. Much like a truck strained by an overweight trailer, a mind continually operating beyond its capacity will likely break down. Understanding and recognizing the early signs of excessive cognitive load through facial expressions and behaviours is essential. Knowing the signs allows individuals to scale back before reaching a breaking point, ensuring long-term well-being and preventing the severe impact that burnout can have on health and quality of life.
Facial Indicators of Cognitive Overload
Eyes Looking Up or Sideways
When individuals are trying to access or retrieve memories, their eyes often move up or to the sides. This action indicates that the brain is actively searching for necessary information or making connections between thoughts. Such movements are common when recall of detailed information is required, suggesting intense mental effort and engagement.
Visible Signs of Fatigue
Cognitive overload can manifest physically as signs of tiredness. Droopy eyelids, frequent yawning, and a general appearance of exhaustion are telltale signs that the brain has been under sustained pressure. These symptoms reflect the body’s response to prolonged mental exertion, much like the fatigue felt after physical activity.
Increased Sweating
Stress associated with cognitive overload can trigger physiological responses such as increased sweating. This can be particularly noticeable on the forehead, temples, or upper lip and is a direct consequence of intense mental strain. Such sweating is a natural stress response and can occur even in cool environments, serving as a signal that the body is trying to manage overheating caused by prolonged cognitive activity.
Frequent Face Touching
Often under cognitive stress, individuals may touch their face frequently, such as rubbing the temple or cheek. This gesture is a self-soothing behavior that helps to alleviate mental tension and regain focus. It’s a physical manifestation of the psychological need to feel grounded or reduce the overwhelming sensations brought on by excessive cognitive demands.
Behavioral Signs:
Reduced attention span, increased irritability, or withdrawal from interaction can be behavioral indicators of too much cognitive load.
These behaviors might result from the brain’s reduced capacity to handle additional stimuli, leading individuals to avoid complex social interactions or decision-making tasks.
Mindfulness is key
Everyone has a unique capacity for managing cognitive load, which can vary significantly based on individual abilities and circumstances. This capacity is influenced by various factors, including one’s compensation skills—the ability to overcome cognitive deficits or impairments, either consciously or unconsciously—and one’s level of sensory sensitivity, which can fluctuate over time.
Each individual must recognize their limits and establish a baseline of tolerable mental exertion. This means identifying a manageable amount of hours you can dedicate to work, social interactions, and other activities before feeling overwhelmed. Understanding and respecting these personal limits allows you to better manage your cognitive resources without overextending yourself. It is also important for family members to be mindful and respect the individual’s request for removal from the activity without conflict to avoid a potential meltdown. Together, harmony can be had, but respect is a two-way street.
Just as running too many applications can drain a smartphone’s battery more quickly, taking on too many tasks or commitments can deplete your mental energy. Practising mindfulness and being aware of your current mental state can help you make informed decisions about when to add new tasks or engage in complex projects. Mindfulness techniques can also assist in recognizing the early signs of cognitive overload, allowing for timely intervention to restore balance.
Imagine your state of mind as a complex network of pipes where emotions flow freely. Anxiety can be seen as a blockage or a faulty coupler disrupting this flow. You can visualize your emotional plumbing using mind mapping: the PVC pipe represents your non-anxious state, and any couplers—potential sources of anxiety—can be examined for flaws. If a coupler (a coping mechanism) isn’t practical, it might need to be modified or replaced to restore flow.
The Process:
Start with a Central Node – This represents your ideal state of mental balance. From here, extend branches for each specific anxiety you’re experiencing.
Branch Out – Each major branch can represent a different area of your life that might contribute to your anxiety, such as work, relationships, or personal health.
Further Subdivide – Break down each major branch into finer strands of specific incidents or feelings that are sources of stress or discomfort.
Identify and Modify Ineffective Elements – As you map these out, look for patterns or recurring themes that might suggest a deeper issue. Replace ineffective coping mechanisms with strategies that have worked in the past or explore new approaches.
Benefits:
Organization: Mind mapping helps in organizing complex emotions into manageable segments.
Root Cause Analysis helps identify the core issues contributing to anxiety, making them less daunting and more tangible.
Solution-Focused: Mind mapping can transform abstract worries into concrete action steps by visually connecting problems with potential solutions.
Adaptability: This tool is flexible; you don’t necessarily need pen and paper. You can use any form that helps you visualize and connect your thoughts, from digital tools to physical models.
Continual Improvement: The ultimate goal of using mind mapping in managing anxiety is to systematically address and resolve each concern, thereby restoring the system’s efficiency. By maintaining an awareness of the environmental factors that coincide with a balanced state, you can better navigate towards it in the future. Remember, all systems have their cycles and flows, and by understanding yours, you can ensure that each cycle ends more smoothly than the last, enhancing your overall well-being.
This revised approach reinforces the utility of mind mapping as a dynamic tool for anxiety management, promoting a systematic and ongoing engagement with your mental health.
Personality disorders have been intriguing and challenging to define and treat throughout the history of psychiatry and psychology. Here’s a detailed look at their history and various types, along with the key distinctions between personality disorders and neurodevelopmental disorders:
Historical Perspective
Early References and Understandings:
Personality disorders, or significant deviations in character, were recognized in various forms even in ancient times. Ancient Greeks and Romans noted personality traits that now align with disorders we recognize today.
In the 19th century, these disorders began to be seen as distinct medical conditions, described initially under various terms like “moral insanity” or “manie sans délire” (insanity without delirium).
20th Century Advances:
The concept of personality disorders became more refined with psychoanalytic contributions by Sigmund Freud and his contemporaries who introduced the idea of personality structures formed in early childhood affecting adult behavior.
The term “personality disorder” began gaining traction and was officially included in the DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) in its first edition in 1952, classifying various types of disorders.
Modern Classifications and Understanding:
The DSM-5, the latest version, categorizes personality disorders into three clusters based on descriptive similarities:
Cluster A: Odd or eccentric behaviors (e.g., Paranoid, Schizoid, Schizotypal).
Cluster C: Anxious and fearful behaviors (e.g., Avoidant, Dependent, Obsessive-Compulsive).
Strange and Obscure Facts
Historical Treatments: In the past, treatments ranged from the barbaric, such as lobotomies and institutionalization, to the bizarre, like shock therapy and “moral” treatments that focused on reformation of character through rigorous discipline and work.
Cultural Variations: Some personality disorders may manifest differently or are more prevalent in certain cultures, reflecting the influence of societal norms on psychological classifications.
Differences from Neurodevelopmental Disorders
Definition and Origin:
Personality Disorders: These are characterized by enduring, inflexible patterns of behavior and inner experience that deviate markedly from the expectations of an individual’s culture. These patterns are pervasive and lead to distress or impairment.
Neurodevelopmental Disorders: These are a group of disorders that affect the development of the nervous system, leading to abnormal brain function which can impact emotion, learning ability, self-control, and memory. Disorders in this classification include autism spectrum disorders and ADHD.
Developmental Timing:
Personality Disorders: Typically become clearly evident in adolescence or early adulthood as personality traits become solidified.
Neurodevelopmental Disorders: Generally diagnosed in infancy, childhood, or adolescence, as they frequently relate to developmental milestones.
Treatment and Management:
Personality Disorders: Often managed through psychotherapy, with treatments focusing on improving interpersonal functioning and self-awareness. Medication may be used to treat specific symptoms or comorbid conditions.
Neurodevelopmental Disorders: Often require early and sometimes intensive intervention, including educational and behavioral strategies, alongside medication management for symptoms.
Understanding these distinctions helps in better managing the conditions and providing appropriate support and interventions for those affected.
Types of Personality Disorders
Here’s a brief overview of each of the personality disorders, grouped by their clusters as defined in the DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders), along with some historical context for each:
Cluster A (Odd or Eccentric Disorders)
Paranoid Personality Disorder
Symptoms: Distrust and suspicion of others, interpreting their motives as malevolent.
History: Noted since the early days of psychiatry, it was once associated with the broader concept of paranoia.
Schizoid Personality Disorder
Symptoms: Detachment from social relationships and a restricted range of emotional expression.
History: First described in the DSM-II, it was distinguished from schizophrenia as a less severe disorder without psychosis.
Schizotypal Personality Disorder
Symptoms: Acute discomfort in close relationships, cognitive or perceptual distortions, and eccentricities of behavior.
History: Originally conceptualized as a borderline form of schizophrenia but later classified as a separate personality disorder in the DSM-III.
Cluster B (Dramatic, Emotional, or Erratic Disorders)
Antisocial Personality Disorder
Symptoms: Disregard for and violation of the rights of others, deceitfulness, impulsivity, and lack of remorse.
History: Previously known as sociopathy, it has been explored in psychological literature extensively concerning criminal behavior.
Borderline Personality Disorder
Symptoms: Instability in interpersonal relationships, self-image, and emotions; marked impulsivity.
History: The term “borderline” was first used in the 1930s to describe patients on the border between neurosis and psychosis.
Histrionic Personality Disorder
Symptoms: Excessive emotionality and attention seeking.
History: Historically linked to “hysteria,” it has roots in Freudian theories of psychosexual development.
Narcissistic Personality Disorder
Symptoms: Grandiosity, need for admiration, and a lack of empathy.
History: The concept of narcissism dates back to Freud’s era but became a formal diagnosis in the DSM-III.
Cluster C (Anxious and Fearful Disorders)
Avoidant Personality Disorder
Symptoms: Social inhibition, feelings of inadequacy, and hypersensitivity to negative evaluation.
History: Initially described in the DSM-II, focusing on social withdrawal due to fear of rejection and criticism.
Dependent Personality Disorder
Symptoms: Excessive need to be taken care of, leading to submissive and clinging behavior, and fears of separation.
History: First detailed in the DSM-III, it reflects behaviors of passivity and submissiveness.
Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder (Not the same as Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder)
Symptoms: Preoccupation with orderliness, perfectionism, and control.
History: Recognized in the early 20th century, it was initially associated with conscientiousness and fastidiousness but was later seen as maladaptive.
Anxiety is a complex emotional response that involves an intense feeling of fear, worry, or unease, often about an imminent event or something with an uncertain outcome. It is a natural human reaction that everyone experiences at different times, usually triggered by perceived threats or challenges. However, when anxiety becomes frequent, overwhelming, or disproportionately related to the stressor, it can become a disorder that impairs daily functioning.
Historical Perspective on Anxiety
The understanding of anxiety has evolved significantly over the centuries. Ancient civilizations often attributed symptoms of anxiety to spiritual or supernatural causes. For instance, the Greeks believed that anxiety resulted from a displeasure from the gods. During the Renaissance, anxiety started to be seen more as a medical issue. It wasn’t until the late 19th and early 20th centuries that anxiety was recognized as a psychological condition. Sigmund Freud, the father of psychoanalysis, was one of the first to discuss anxiety as a condition that could be treated through psychotherapy.
Causes of Anxiety
Anxiety can be caused by a variety of factors, often involving a combination of genetic, environmental, psychological, and developmental elements. Some common causes include:
Genetic predispositions: Anxiety can run in families, suggesting a hereditary component.
Brain chemistry: Dysregulation of neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine can contribute to anxiety disorders.
Life events: Traumatic events such as abuse, the death of a loved one, or other significant life changes can trigger anxiety disorders.
Health issues: Certain medical conditions like heart disease, diabetes, or hormonal imbalances can provoke anxiety symptoms.
Substance use: Alcohol, drugs, and even caffeine can exacerbate or trigger anxiety symptoms.
Anxiety as a Habitual Response
Repeated experiences of anxiety can lead to habitual responses to similar situations, a phenomenon often seen in conditions like Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) or Social Anxiety Disorder. When individuals experience anxiety repeatedly in similar contexts, they may begin to anticipate anxiety in these situations, which can perpetuate the cycle. Recognizing these patterns is crucial in breaking the cycle of anxiety.
Managing Anxiety
Effective management of anxiety involves recognizing its triggers and understanding whether these are changeable or not. Direct actions can be taken to address the underlying issues for intermittent and controllable triggers. For constant, uncontrollable factors, strategies include:
Visualization techniques: Imagining moving the anxiety-provoking issue aside like a chess piece, or pinning it to a “wall” in your mind to revisit later.
Developing coping strategies: Techniques such as deep breathing, mindfulness, and meditation can help manage the physiological symptoms of anxiety.
Incremental exposure: Gradually exposing oneself to the source of anxiety in small, manageable steps can reduce the anxiety response over time.
Seeking professional help: Therapies like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) are highly effective in treating anxiety disorders by changing negative thought patterns and behaviors.
Anxiety and the Body: Understanding Physical Symptoms and Managing Through Activity
Anxiety isn’t just a mental or emotional issue—it has tangible physical manifestations and can affect nearly every part of the body. Understanding how anxiety manifests physically can empower individuals to find effective strategies to manage and mitigate its symptoms. This article explores the physical aspects of anxiety, why they occur, and proactive ways to manage anxiety through physical activity.
The Physical Manifestations of Anxiety Anxiety can cause a wide range of physical symptoms that may be as debilitating as the psychological aspects. Here are some common physical symptoms of anxiety:
Muscle Tension and Pain: Chronic anxiety often leads to muscle tension, which can result in pain and discomfort in various parts of the body, especially in the back, neck, and shoulders.
Heart Palpitations: Anxiety can cause the heart to beat faster and harder, leading to palpitations which can be frightening and uncomfortable.
Stomach Discomfort: Often referred to as having “butterflies in the stomach,” anxiety can disrupt the digestive system, causing symptoms like nausea, diarrhea, and constipation.
Dizziness and Shortness of Breath: Anxiety can affect breathing patterns and blood circulation, leading to feelings of dizziness and shortness of breath.
Sweating and Hot Flashes: Anxiety can trigger an increase in body temperature and sweating, which can be both uncomfortable and embarrassing.
Why Physical Activity Helps Engaging in Physical Activity is a powerful strategy for managing anxiety. Here’s how movement and exercise can help alleviate the physical and psychological symptoms:
Reduction in Muscle Tension: Regular movement helps relax tight muscles and reduce pain associated with muscle stiffness.
Increases Heart Health: Exercise strengthens the heart and improves overall cardiovascular health, helping to regulate heart rhythms and reduce palpitations.
Stimulates Endorphin Production: Physical activity boosts the production of endorphins, the body’s natural painkillers and mood elevators.
Improves Breathing Techniques: Exercise, especially activities like yoga and Pilates, teaches better breathing techniques, which can counteract the effects of hyperventilation often associated with anxiety.
Distracts the Mind: Staying active can divert the mind from anxiety triggers. The focus shifts to the body’s movements rather than on worrisome thoughts.
Activity Suggestions Here are some activities that can help manage the physical symptoms of anxiety:
Walking or Running: These are accessible forms of exercise that can help clear the mind and improve physical fitness.
Yoga and Pilates: These practices focus on breath control and body awareness, which can be particularly beneficial for those suffering from anxiety.
Dancing: Dancing is not only an excellent physical workout but also a fun way to release stress and express emotions.
Gardening or Home Cleaning: These activities provide a sense of control and accomplishment while also keeping the body engaged and active.
Managing Anxiety Through Creative Expression and Structured Thinking
Anxiety often appears as an overwhelming force, mainly when it is centered on major life issues. However, it can also fragment into numerous smaller worries, scattering our mental energy and making us feel increasingly helpless. One effective way to tackle this diffusion of anxiety is to engage in challenging tasks that require cognitive engagement, like puzzle-solving or creative fabrication.
Engaging in Challenging Tasks
Taking on tasks that require detailed attention and problem-solving can also be therapeutic. Activities like assembling a puzzle or building something physically keep your hands busy and focus your mind on the task at hand rather than on your anxieties. These activities demand concentration and offer a satisfying sense of achievement upon completion, which can significantly boost your mood and self-esteem.
Creative Expression as Therapy
If you find it hard to articulate your feelings, turning to art can be a profound way to express and understand your emotions. Start with something simple:
Choose Your Tools: Grab some thick oil or acrylic paint, a broad brush, and a coarse canvas. I find art supplies at the thrift store often!
Set the Atmosphere: Play music that uplifts you, perhaps something you can sing along to, enhancing the engagement.
Let Your Creativity Flow: Apply the paint to the canvas without a set plan. Let your hand glide across the surface, mixing colours and shapes. This act is not about creating a masterpiece but letting your subconscious speak. The physical motion of painting, combined with controlled breathing, helps anchor you in the present, easing the mind’s tendency to worry about past or future anxieties.
Integrating the Internal with the External
The activities described above do more than just occupy your time; they help synchronize your internal state with external actions, bringing you into the ‘now.’ When you engage creatively, you validate your emotions through expression, bridging the gap between what you feel inside and what you can show in the tangible world. This process is inherently grounding and can be incredibly effective at managing anxiety.
Conclusion
Whether through structured thinking with mind maps, cognitive engagement with puzzles, or the liberating act of painting, these strategies provide powerful ways to manage and mitigate anxiety. They empower you to dismantle overwhelming feelings into manageable parts, offering a sense of control and accomplishment. By integrating these practices into your routine, you can find a balanced approach to addressing anxiety, making peace with your inner self, and staying rooted in the present moment.
The history of mental health care has evolved significantly over centuries:
Ancient Times: Mental illnesses were often attributed to supernatural forces or divine punishment. Treatments could include exorcisms or harsh physical treatments.
Middle Ages: Mental health issues were seen through a religious lens, with care provided by monasteries.
18th-19th Century: The rise of asylums marked a shift towards institutionalization. Philippe Pinel and Dorothea Dix advocated for more humane treatment of the mentally ill.
20th Century: The deinstitutionalization movement began, spurred by the development of psychiatric medications and a push towards community-based care.
Types of Therapies and Their Creators
1. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Creator: Dr. Aaron T. Beck in the 1960s.
Purpose: Developed to treat depression, focusing on changing negative thoughts and behaviors.
Introduction: Gained prominence through research and demonstrated efficacy in treating various disorders.
2. Psychoanalysis
Creator: Sigmund Freud in the late 19th century.
Purpose: To uncover repressed memories and conflicts.
Introduction: Through Freud’s lectures and writings.
3. Behavioral Therapy
Creator: Based on the work of Ivan Pavlov and later B.F. Skinner.
Purpose: To modify harmful behaviors through conditioning.
Introduction: Gained acceptance through successful experiments like Skinner’s operant conditioning.
4. Humanistic Therapy
Creator: Carl Rogers and Abraham Maslow in the mid-20th century.
Purpose: Focuses on self-development and perceptions.
Introduction: Popularized through writings and the growing movement for personal growth.
Mental Health Professionals and Qualifications
Types of Professionals:
Psychiatrists: Medical doctors who can prescribe medication and provide therapy.
Psychologists: Provide therapy and counseling, cannot prescribe medication.
Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSW) and Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC): Offer counseling and support for a variety of mental health issues.
Behavioral Therapists: Specialize in treating behavior problems with techniques like ABA (Applied Behavioral Analysis), especially in autism.
Qualifications and Licenses:
Psychiatrists: MD or DO with a psychiatric residency, licensed to practice medicine.
Psychologists: Typically a PhD or PsyD, licensed by state boards.
LCSW/LPC: Master’s degree in social work or counseling, with state-specific licensure.
Questions to Ask When Seeking a Mental Health Professional
What is your educational and training background?
Are you licensed, and by which board?
What is your experience with my specific issues?
What types of treatments do you offer?
What are your fees, and do you accept insurance?
Average Costs
Psychiatrist: $100-$300 per session.
Psychologist: $80-$200 per session.
LCSW/LPC: $60-$150 per session. Costs can vary significantly based on location, specialist’s experience, and insurance coverage.
Therapies for Autism and ADHD
For Autism:
Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA): Focuses on teaching practical skills and reducing unwanted behaviors through reinforcement strategies.
Occupational Therapy: Helps to improve daily living skills.
Speech Therapy: Aims to improve communication abilities.
For ADHD:
Behavioral Therapy: Helps in managing behavior and improving organization and planning skills.
Medication: Often prescribed to help control symptoms.
Therapy Impact on Different Areas
Self and Mental Health: Therapies like CBT and psychoanalysis help individuals understand and manage their thoughts and emotions, addressing anxiety, depression, and self-esteem issues.
Life Skills: Therapies for autism, such as ABA, occupational, and speech therapy, focus on enhancing functional abilities and independence rather than internal psychological states.
This covered a broad range of aspects concerning mental health treatments, providers, and considerations for those with autism and ADHD. When considering therapy options, consider these factors as part of your research.
Understanding Mental Health and Self-Care in Neurodivergent Individuals
Mental health is a critical component of overall well-being, especially for neurodivergent individuals who may experience the world differently due to conditions like Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). These conditions can affect how a person processes information, reacts to stress, and handles emotions, often leading to unique challenges.
Importance of Mental Health and Self-Care
Self-Awareness of Negative Loops: Neurodivergent individuals might be more susceptible to negative thinking, feedback loops, or rumination. Being aware of these patterns is crucial as they can exacerbate stress, anxiety, and depression, further impeding cognitive function. Do something with your hands, like knitting or Legos. Give your brain a more enjoyable task that requires focus to help redirect your thinking.
Proactive Stress Management: Identifying stressors in your environment and taking proactive steps to mitigate them is vital. These can include stress about finances, social interactions, or sensory overload. Actively addressing these stressors can help maintain mental health and enhance quality of life. The longer you sit in your darkness the harder it will be to remove yourself from it. It will be a huge mountain, so find a purpose to fuel your journey. Make the planet a better place, invent something or improve something. Life is short, but you might have fun.
Empowerment and Control: Engaging in activities that foster a sense of control and accomplishment, like learning new skills or crafting, can provide purpose and structure, especially beneficial for those feeling overwhelmed by their circumstances. You are not a slave to your brain. It is a computer … I have shown you. It can be reprogrammed if the correct code is given. Your particular interest or skill is the direction to look – life has no rules. If you are good at gaming, have a computer repair business and work from home. Be tech support. Just the act of trying will give you a sense of control to help reduce your anxiety. It’s just about not knowing what on the other side of things is. But don’t sit! Bored brains go bad. When you reduce your anxiety, you think better!
Signs and Symptoms to Watch For
Increased Isolation: Withdrawing from social interactions can be a sign of depression or anxiety.
Changes in Sleep Patterns: Difficulty sleeping or sleeping too much can indicate mental health issues.
Emotional Dysregulation: Experiencing extreme emotions or having a flat affect are key symptoms to be aware of.
Cognitive Difficulties: Trouble concentrating or making decisions can signal that stress or mental health issues are taking a toll.
Practical Self-Care Strategies
Routine and Structure: Establish a daily routine that includes time for work and relaxation. Structured time for hobbies or self-interests can also provide a sense of accomplishment and self-achievement. Tell yourself a good job and how proud you are of yourself when you achieve or accomplish even little challenging things.
Physical Activity: Regular exercise can significantly reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety. Even light activities like walking or yoga can help. Be Mindful not to overdo it! Recovery is taking place not only in the body but also in the mind.The body responds to intense exercise by producing stress hormones like cortisol, which helps to manage the increased strain. However, persistently high levels of cortisol due to overtraining can lead to adverse effects such as sleep disturbances, impaired cognitive functions, mood swings, and decreased motivation, which ultimately leads to overstimulation.
Mindfulness and Meditation: These practices can help break the cycle of negative thoughts and worry and promote better emotional regulation.
Educational and Skill-Building Activities: Free online courses or engaging in skills training can enhance control and lead to potential economic opportunities. If your accommodations and needs are met, it will also provide routine and structure. Otherwise, compensating for impairments to remain in step with your peers could lead to overstimulation.
Therapy and Support Groups: Participating in therapy, especially with professionals experienced in neurodiversity, can provide strategies to manage specific challenges. Support groups offer a community of individuals with similar experiences, which can reduce feelings of isolation. Be mindful of therapists or groups not educated about neurodivergence to avoid possibly being triggered by misinterpretation on their part, causing frustration, agitation, and then overstimulation.
History and Understanding of Related Conditions
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Often triggered by a traumatic event, PTSD can lead to flashbacks, avoidance behaviors, and severe anxiety.
Anxiety and Depression: Common in the neurodivergent population, these conditions can exacerbate the challenges faced by individuals, affecting their ability to function day-to-day.
Cognitive Load Theory: This theory explains how excessive stress can overload the cognitive system of neurodivergent individuals, leading to decreased mental capacity and increased difficulty in performing daily tasks.
Conclusion: Embracing Autonomy in Mental Health
Remember, you are the main character in your own life story. Recognizing your mental health needs and taking proactive steps to manage them improves your day-to-day life and empowers you to achieve your fullest potential. It’s important to cultivate a nurturing environment for yourself, tailored to your unique needs and capabilities. Whether developing new skills, engaging in physical activities, or seeking professional help, taking charge of your mental health is a critical step towards living a fulfilling life.
Resources
World Health Organization (WHO) – Mental Health
Provides global resources, guidelines, and tools for mental health.
Each of these organizations provides resources that may include crisis intervention services, educational materials, advocacy, policy development, and community programs. They can be valuable resources for support and information related to mental health issues.
