Post 4627150 - (Are "they" sure AS doesn't get worse with age?)

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Are "they" sure AS doesn't get worse with age?

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Dillogic
you know how it goes
Phoenix

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Posts: 3337

Posted: Sat May 12, 2012 1:32 am Post subject:

I've always read that "classic" autism tends to get somewhat better around midlife; often worst in the early adult years. If AS = AD (just severity differentiating the two), then you might find that this holds true.

MakaylaTheAspie
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Posted: Sat May 12, 2012 1:36 am Post subject:

It certainly got better for me. It depends on the person, I guess. _________________ Feel free to drop me a PM, but it may take a while to reply. I don't bite, though. Anime/Manga lover. Also love to draw. My deviantART: http://www.watercolorgenius.deviantart.com/

raylit20
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Posted: Sat May 12, 2012 3:41 am Post subject:

Atomsk wrote:

Hmm... I've been noticing certain symptoms of mine becoming worse, recently.

Diagnosed AS/HFA as a younger child; I have not been to a psych or anything in over 11 or 12 years though, and my diagnosis came about 17 years ago - I have no idea what diagnosis I would get if I were to go in now.

Age is in the right area - 23. I've noticed much less ability to converse with others, among other things. Humor is an area I am having more difficulty with now - I feel like I'm understanding jokes less, and I just less often find things funny.

Another area of difficulty - socializing that I find useless or pointless, i.e. smalltalk, any social interactions I deem pointless, even including things like "good morning." Another one - when someone states the obvious. Not only am I having difficulty -doing- these things, I'm finding it sometimes unbearably irritating when someone else does.

There's a bunch of other stuff, but I don't really have the energy to keep typing stuff up tonight. I might make a second post later.

Very curious.

I'm 22 now and have been experiencing more difficulty around this age with some things, especially with my attention, organization, and awareness. I also seem to be becoming more socially awkward as I age.

The worst thing for me as of the last year is often trying to think of something and "drawing a blank". I don't recall having this happen ever before in my life. While trying to think of the phrase "drawing a blank" to post this I drew a blank and had to pause for a second.
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EstherJ
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Posted: Sat May 12, 2012 4:05 am Post subject:

Ok, that's just weird. I'm almost 21, and this year, EVERYTHING has seemed markedly worse.... Or, maybe I just am noticing more. It only dawned on me this year that I might even have Asperger's, however, my psychologist cleared up any doubt. My OCD has gotten worse - It peaked when I was 10-11, then dropped off, then peaked at 19 again, and now it's how I function. My stims have gotten worse...I used to just twirl my fingers and rock, but now, only hand-flapping and rocking more, as well as fixating, does the trick for me. I have had a lot more meltdowns...and they've been more severe. I used to never spin, or pace, when having a meltdown, but I have always banged my head....I remember that broken window. The only things that have stayed constant have been my interests and my social issues....they're pretty much solidly the same. Here's the clincher - Did I just find out, and become more aware? I have done things like this all my life, of course, but I thought it was "normal." Am I forgetting some behavior as normal that was really autistic? I've been soooo stressed, did stress bring it out? But, I've been stressed so much worse as a teen when I was being abused....and I didn't think I did anything abnormal....but then again, I didn't know. So, I'm not helping the question. But I'm intensely curious - DOES Asperger's/Autism get worse with age, or get worse for a while around 20-25? Oh dear

helles
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Posted: Sat May 12, 2012 4:33 am Post subject:

Definitely getting better with age, for me. Just getting to know my diagnosis is helping a lot. Confidence comes with age (or maybe I just don´t care as much what other people think). But I have noticed other things change from my 20´s to now. I think that It has something to do with increased responsibility and expectations. No more fooling around having fun, being adult means getting a job, pay your own bills, think about insurance and pension and lots of other boring things. All those things might take a toll on your resources so that life seem to be more difficult. - just my therory Helle

Joe90
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Posted: Sat May 12, 2012 5:00 am Post subject:

Verdandi wrote:

Joe90 wrote:

I hope not. At the moment I feel I am getting better, more mature, my social skills are becoming better, and I can keep certain behaviours under control a lot better than I used to.

So will I lose all this when I get to middle-aged and be severely Autistic when I am an elderly lady???

Some people are relatively static. Some people improve. Some people get worse.

But how will I know if I'm going to get more Autistic as life goes on? I don't want to lose my independence and my self-awareness and the little normality that I have got. What if I get married and settle down, only to realise my husband will soon be looking after me 24/7 because I will deteriorate?

Is AS like Alzheimer's then?
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Verdandi
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Posted: Sat May 12, 2012 5:23 am Post subject:

Joe90 wrote:

This scenario is extremely unlikely unless you have autistic catatonia (and I think you'd know it, as it can be pretty severe and you'd probably have had a dramatic regression as a teenager).

I think some people who are autistic tend to be stable, don't have a lot of shutdowns and don't tend to lose skills, but still have autistic impairments. They're more likely to stay the same or improve (from learning coping strategies) over time. Some people who are autistic are fairly vulnerable to shutdowns, skill loss, etc., may have severe sensory issues even if they otherwise appear mild, and may get worse as they get older. There may also be periods of burnout where things get much worse for a period of time (months or years).

I seem to recall reading that Temple Grandin described something like this.

I think there are also other elements of aging that have an impact. Aging brings with it cognitive decline, and that can impact one's autism. Also, I think some people just care less about various things as they get older and may appear to be more severe as a consequence.

Quote:

Is AS like Alzheimer's then?

No.

vanhalenkurtz
Velociraptor

Joined: May 10, 2012
Posts: 460

Posted: Sat May 12, 2012 5:47 am Post subject:

Quote:

Also, I think some people just care less about various things as they get older and may appear to be more severe as a consequence.

This is my experience. My social demands have decreased (no longer married, etc.) & my patience for social demands decreased w/ that. Also, I sense the meter is running, if I keep placating others expectations, my own goals keep receding. I've done so much trying to figure people out & it's diminished returns. I was more optimistic when younger (when I wasted so much time). Topics that fascinated me when a teenager are still in place; the people have come & gone like faucet water. I accept this.
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EXPECIALLY
Phoenix
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Posted: Sat May 12, 2012 8:43 am Post subject:

EstherJ wrote:

Ok, that's just weird.

I'm almost 21, and this year, EVERYTHING has seemed markedly worse....
Or, maybe I just am noticing more. It only dawned on me this year that I might even have Asperger's, however, my psychologist cleared up any doubt.

My OCD has gotten worse - It peaked when I was 10-11, then dropped off, then peaked at 19 again, and now it's how I function.
My stims have gotten worse...I used to just twirl my fingers and rock, but now, only hand-flapping and rocking more, as well as fixating, does the trick for me.
I have had a lot more meltdowns...and they've been more severe. I used to never spin, or pace, when having a meltdown, but I have always banged my head....I remember that broken window.
The only things that have stayed constant have been my interests and my social issues....they're pretty much solidly the same.

Here's the clincher - Did I just find out, and become more aware? I have done things like this all my life, of course, but I thought it was "normal." Am I forgetting some behavior as normal that was really autistic?
I've been soooo stressed, did stress bring it out? But, I've been stressed so much worse as a teen when I was being abused....and I didn't think I did anything abnormal....but then again, I didn't know.

So, I'm not helping the question. But I'm intensely curious - DOES Asperger's/Autism get worse with age, or get worse for a while around 20-25?

Oh dear Shocked

I wrote this awhile ago but based on the answers here I think a lot of people on the spectrum and those on the BAP go through a phase around this age.

I'm actually feeling better since I wrote this. I guess the phase lasted about 4 years. Maybe it's something doctors have also observed but don't really talk about because there is so much association with mental illness in AS and especially fear of developing schizophrenia for many.

The brain technically never stops developing but the last major changes occur around 21-25. I can see that causing some changes in behavior and thinking style.

I'm able to deal with people now, the sensory issues have lessened but a few things seem to be a permanent change:

-my memory isn't what it once was. My rote memory is still good, but my memory of conversation/daily life is really just different.

-much less patience. I just don't have it.

-I'm actually more ambitious. Also more concrete in my thinking.

You see the same thing with NTs, I just think people with autistic traits experience something a little more intense around this time. So those of you who are going through this, I wouldn't worry.

I was really thinking I was going to lose my mind for awhile but now I'm basically my old self, with some slight changes and improvements in some areas.
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EXPECIALLY
Phoenix
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Posted: Sat May 12, 2012 8:45 am Post subject:

[quote="EXPECIALLY"]

EstherJ wrote:

I wrote this awhile ago but based on the answers here I think a lot of people on the spectrum and those on the BAP go through a phase around this age.

I'm actually feeling better since I wrote this. I guess the phase lasted about 4 years. Maybe it's something doctors have also observed but don't really talk about because there is so much association with mental illness in AS and especially fear of developing schizophrenia for many.

The brain technically never stops developing but the last major changes occur around 21-25. I can see that causing some changes in behavior and thinking style.

I'm able to deal with people now, the sensory issues have lessened but a few things seem to be a permanent change:

-my memory isn't what it once was. My rote memory is still good, but my memory of conversation/daily life is really just different. I think this has more to do with narrow focus.

-much less patience. I just don't have it.

-I'm actually more ambitious. Also more concrete in my thinking.

You see the same thing with NTs, I just think people with autistic traits experience something a little more intense around this time. So those of you who are going through this, I wouldn't worry.

I was really thinking I was going to lose my mind for awhile but now I'm basically my old self, with some slight changes and improvements in some areas.
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HDTV...

Whatever.

Blindspot149
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Posted: Sat May 12, 2012 9:13 am Post subject:

I didn't/couldn't read the opening post so I am responding to the thread question. My Clinical Psychologist has mentioned that AS can/does get 'worse' with age. I can confirm this in my case. I started on Lexapro 5 months ago and Straterra 2 months ago as I was finding it harder to cope. I have prescription Valium for acute anxiety, but I seem to be needing this almost daily. _________________ Now then, tell me. What did Miggs say to you? Multiple Miggs in the next cell. He hissed at you. What did he say?

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