Emotional Roller-coasters in Autism

Roller-coasters is yet another trendy terminology for Life-challenges.

Again, I don’t see anything wrong with ‘challenges’, anyways… even languages are roller-coasters, these AI days.
I wonder if young and old of same nationality will soon need an interpreter, it could be of help in creating new jobs, before AI will lay-off thousands of workers.

“Ah shut up, I’ve been watching too much tv!” used to say David Bowie, the ‘Master of Transformation’ , as he was called back in the day.
Nowadays, he would be called the ‘Master of roller-coasters’!
Forgive the diversion, Sarcasm is necessary, sometimes.

Roller-coasters require lots of self-discipline.

This is very controversial: subjects on ASD are hard disciplined, yet they dread roller-coasters.
They excel financially, most World-billionaires are on the Spectrum.
Conversely, they fare poorly in relationships.
In my humble opinion, they function on compensation: academic and financial achievement makes up for roller-coasters and poor relationships.
They don’t look happy to me, nevertheless.

I’m neither a billionaire nor an academic, though I fare well socially.
I lean more towards ADHD and Bipolar.
Despite envying ASD achievements, I prioritize my social life.
Should I choose between wealth and good relationships, I would go for the latter no doubts.

I want to live with my wife at the sea. We speak the same language of the waves.


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Confusion in Autism

Getting ready is the definition of Preparedness. For some people, it is an exciting practice for the better. For neurodivergents, it is a source of confusion.

Preparedness is a very individualist subject.
We all get ready for an important event, usually pleasurable, like a trip.

Getting ready for the worse has a completely different chemistry which I ll explore in a separate thread.

Preparedness is that situation where multiple emotions are at work, typically Expectation, Changes, Organization, Excitement, Anxiety.
These feelings are exacerbated when an Event is permanent.

Traveling is a multifaceted event for autistics.

We usually associate Travel with Holiday, a temporary Change, henceforth not appealing to autistics.

Business-travel on behalf of Corporations, either to show a project or to sign a contract, is Work.

Relocation is my idea of traveling and likely the most conflicting.
Being a middle-aged expat, traveling takes priority over anything else.
Traveling means Home to expats.
Home is permanent Holiday for every expatriate.
Unless one returns home in retirement, it is indeed starting a second life.
This accounts for conflicting emotions, mainly excitement and re-adaptation.

What happens when emotions clash?

Preparedness is always stressful, though powered by excitement.
Timing is paramount, you don’t get ready to relocate one week before, it’s a yearly process, to say the least.

There is no official medical diagnosis for Clashing/Conflicting emotions.
Research is more supportive of Predominant emotions.
The concepts may look equal at first glance, if Predominance weren’t synonymous with Leadership.
In the Emotional sphere, Leadership is characterized by ‘taking over’, far from Conflicting.
A popular example is Multitasking: the brain is not programmed for multitasking.
The exact mechanism of Multitasking, is the ability of ‘taking over’ multiple options by Selecting the most appropriate.

I deduce Emotions are not in conflict, they are confused.
The associated official diagnosis is ‘Acute/Chronic Confusion’, two distinct disorders as a matter of fact.

As usual, that took some time to research my old Med-school notes, again realising that Libraries retain the most reliable sources.
Youngsters will smirk on me, though I won’t tire of advising lay people from staying off the ‘Medical Internet’ and let Doctors do their job.

These days, people give in self-diagnosing, trusting the Internet more than physical doctors, the foothold of globalization.
‘Emotional Conflict’ is Internet slang, I just found out myself through how subconsciously enslaving and mind-bending Media are.
Support your local libraries! I value them now more than back in the day when served the main Dormitory facility for students.
I’m yet to understand why we appreciate things only when we don’t have them…
That could make it for a future post.

Anyway, why Acute and Chronic Confusion are grouped in a single pathology?
Because distinguishing between Illness and Symptoms is the weakness of Traditional Western Medicine.

I’ll stand correctly.

We know that current medication cures symptoms, not illness. This affects the rationale behind diagnoses.

Confusion is not a illness, it’s a symptom of Delirium and Dementia, primarily.
Impaired Executive Function binds Acute and Chronic Confusion, despite their totally different chemistry: Acute Confusion is a combination of Brain Poisoning from drugs, Injuries, High Fever, triggering Hallucinations and Aggression. Acute Confusion is a psychiatric emergency, Sedation is the only available intervention. The episodes are almost voluntary and related to substance abuse. First Responders don’t stand the chance by immediately restraining and administering intramuscular Narcan as first aid.

Chronic Confusion is a progressive condition.
Mood-Stabilization is the priority treatment. Subjects are not aggressive.
Dementia is an alternative term for Chronic Confusion in popular culture.
The two are regarded independently in Medical, since Chronic Confusion is aggravated by long-term consumption of alcohol and antianxiety medications.

The Emotional sphere is overwhelming.
I conclude this segment by reminding that a Medical textbook will always be more trustworthy than the Internet.




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Respect for Diversity

Nostalgia is oftentimes outlived as Cultural-shock by autistics.

Dwelling in a different culture almost involves a certain amount of Deprivation even for expatriates in search of a better life.
Full integration into a different culture is virtually impossible.
Living a better life doesn’t necessarily mean giving up on one s own culture.
You’ll realize that expats tend to gather within their communities abroad.
I would define Integration as Respect rather than Embrace, despite the similarity.
Respect is honorable. If everyone could exercise Respect, there d be no need for Confrontations.

The human brain is naturally set for Supremacy.

Our Digital Society gives a wrong impression of Respect as in Globalization.

Globalization is Imposition disguised as Respect, an evil scheme carried out by the World Elite, benefiting the Wealthy only.

The Weak go hand in hand with Poverty.

The message is clear: “You need help? Support the Elite, and the Elite will support you.” 
Many poor people have no choice but going against their morals.

The good news comes from an emerging Church-culture, so-called Christian Influencers.

Christian Influencers are young people and clergy who are taking Evangelisation to a new level online, waging a fierce Antiglobalization Campaign.
We are seeing the first signs.
Diversity will be legally protected.
Neurodivergent individuals will finally feel safe as integral part of society.




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International Relationships and Objectification

Latest research suggests that Xenophilia is the result of ‘objectification’ from one or either parties, always unhealthy.

That international relationships require strong commitment is a fact. Neuroscientists deem race-mixing as Objectifying. Although not my case, I can’t hide the discomfort of the statement.

Objectification as in giving up one s culture for the other, a form of escapism rather than love.

The largest number of expatriates from developed countries still accounts for interracial marriages.

We have been deprived of yet the harmonious definition ‘interracial relationships’ for the pathological ‘Xenophilia’.
I bet ‘Behaviour’ will soon replaced by ‘Pathology’.
A pathology is always dysfunctional.

I’m aware of the challenges of interracial relationships, though I ll never see them as pathological.
I met my Asian wife coincidentally in my country when I lost my family and she saved my life.

I never gave up my culture in 15 years of marriage.
In fact, I value my culture even more as an expat.

Scientists should emphasize what the real challenges are.

Xenophilia goes oftentimes hand in hand with Xenophobia.
We have given a bad name to the latter, related to racism.

Modern-day xenophobia is very much the Fear of the host from the expatriates, not hatred.

I hope the term Xenophobia will be wiped out once and for all in favour of peaceful resolutions like interracial relations.
And that neuroscientists would stop pretending to be linguists.

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Emotional Dysregulation

Autistics and ADHDers have greater empathy than average. Excessive empathy leads to RSD.

RSD stands for Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria, a symptom of Emotional dysregulation. 
The definition speaks for itself altogether, Dysphoria is Greek for Pain.
Empathy is an Emotion.
Emotions can be processed by Willpower in the neurotypical brain.

Emotional dysregulation has many implications, most commonly Neuronal Signal-disruptions.
Put it bluntly, the brain misinterprets or annihilates perceptions.
A notable example is an inconsiderate tv/radio volume, typical in old age.
In young adulthood, the phenomenon borders chronic Apathy.

However, let’s focus on RSD for now.

RSD is in fact the antonym of Apathy, or too much sensitivity.
Sensitivity in excess is paralysing.
The most visible attitude are healthcare workers: a good doctor, nurse, paramedic, must show empathy to patients, without getting emotionally involved.
This supports my personal theory that Sensitivity has a different set-up in Emotions.

Autistics and ADHDers strive a lot to mask for performance, a short-lived technique leading to Rejection feelings.
We make use of empathy for Acceptance, ultimately resulting in Rejection.

For once in a while, it is worth analyzing how the Neurotypical brain works.

Neurodivergents rely heavily upon their personal background, henceforth lacking impartiality of judgement, in my case being overly intrusive.

The Neurotypical brain values a lot privacy, something I interpret as lack of trust, another definition of RSD.I do recognize the evasive responses of the neurotypical: although they’re not intended for arrogance, I perceive them as painful rejection.
Even more so as Neurodiversity Advocates, we are passionately uninhibited to disclose our innermost thoughts, while expecting likewise from our interlocutors.

We don’t have to assume that neurotypicals are issue-free.
They are just smarter at dealing with problems on their own, therefore neither need help or sharing, yet another interpretation of Rejection in RSD.
‘Pretending’ to be altruistic when not necessary, is outrageous and immoral.
The stereotypical “How are you?” has become a complementary greeting, it doesn’t hurt anyone and is sufficient. They will let us know otherwise if close friends, most likely through body-language.
Know that Language is 70% bodily and 30% verbal.
Distressed body-language is a neurotypical request to reach-out.
That’s when we should calmly push-through.
Everybody has temporary Suffering.

Sensitivity is a spiritual gift, we must learn how best to use it to our benefit and neighbour’s.
In person-meetings over media-chats are preferable between Neurodivergents and Neurotypicals, whenever possible.




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Emotional Deprivation

Memory storage

Memories could be a byproduct of emotions, based on the same cerebral regions where emotions originate, the Limbic System, the core of the brain. All neuronal clusters converge in the Limbic region.

You’ll understand that its anatomy is worth a whole encyclopedia, with millions of neuronal pathways requiring years of study by neuroscientists.
Mental Illness is being studied for centuries, since Man’s life is too short to cover the entire human body, let alone the brain.
Medical science as we know it today, is at a Developmental stage.

Emotions are linked to empathy and bonding.
We can’t feel emotions without Empathy.
In fact, Empathy is an Emotion in itself, with the sole difference that originates from Bonding, the Love-attachment between Parents and Children developing in the first months of life.
Lack of empathy is the result of Parental Neglect.
The logic is that Memory Retention will be disrupted without Empathy.

The altruistic approach of Memory-storage 

Are Memories and Emotions the same combination?
Did it occur to you that memories not associated to emotions are easily forgotten?
I previously talked of my hatred for mathematics, I don’t feel any emotion for numbers, I rely on calculators even for the simplest operations: I know that 10+10=20, I just find Counting rewardless, yet I understand the importance.

Psychiatry defines Empathy as Altruism.
According to this line of thought, Memory-storage would be of altruistic nature.
Healthcare workers are naturally altruistic.
Coincidentally, I can’t see any empathy in Maths teachers.

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 Executive Function in ADHD

The Relationship Between ADHD and Learning Disabilities

The Brain’s Temporal lobe and Limbic System are the areas where all the Learning processes take place.

Learning is the synergy between Memory, Thinking and Acting.
These three skills are referred to in Psychiatry as Executive Function. They are indispensable for learning.
In ADHD, they are dysfunctional to varying degrees.
To make things worse, ADHD is an underlying condition in most cases of Autism.

Once again, we are haunted by the discrimination of Learning Disability.
Can we debunk that disrespectful notion? If not, change terminology?
Nobody, neurotypical or neurodiverse, want to be identified as retarded.
In order to advocate rightfully, we need to do a lot of research backed up by patience and humility.

Working Memory is the precursor of all Learning.
One would expect Thinking, rightly so, though this action won’t produce results if not memorized.
How many times, back in our school day, we went mute during interrogations despite having studied the subject… sadly, 30 years ago, the humiliating response of Mental Health s ignorant teachers was “They all claim to not remember when they didn’t study…”
Just to add insult to injury.

Memory Retention is not a Learning Disability

We’ll have to start with how Memory gets stored, a mechanism not yet fully understood.
We know for sure that there are two types of Memory, short-term memory and long-term memory.
Every memory is first registered in the short-term. For this reason, it is referred to as Information. Unless we have an interest in it, it is quickly forgotten.
The dilemma is that we must remember unpleasant information too.
To date, Repetition is the only solution, though it doesn’t work for me.
Repetition makes me feel stupid.
On the other hand, interesting Information is stored in the long-term at first glance.

I love humanities, I could remember them just by listening.
I hate maths and wasn’t able to perform a sum. 
The mindless approach of my maths teacher was to give me extra homework, in so doing matters worse. I perceived it as a vengeful attempt.
Nowadays, Special Needs teachers would be assigned.

The stage of storing long-term Information is called Retention.

Theoretically speaking, all memory is stored at subconscious level.
Recall is the process of bringing memories at conscious level by Will.

In brief, there are 3 stages of Memory in chronological succession: Registration, Storage, Recall.

Recall is the most common Memory Disorder with potentially catastrophic developments the likes of Amnesia and Dementia in the final stages.

Thinking is the next step to Registration.
Because Registration happens in the short-term, it is easily forgettable in Attention Deficits.
One of the hypotheses of ADHD.

In ADHD, Information switches subjects relentlessly, therefore doesn’t get stored in long-term memory.
Stimulant medication partially enhances focus by targeting dopamine.
Dopamine as in Reward neurotransmitter, would explain Interest-dependent Concentration and Storage.
The efficacy of these medications is fairly good. Their limitation is the daily lifespan, 6/8 hours average after which they wear off, allowing Confusion, Fatigue, Forgetfulness, Irritability, to set in again.
Prolonging the lifespan of these compounds will prevent Sleep, not an option, lack of sleep = dysfunctional concentration.
More research is needed, current data is insufficient.

Acting is the disrupted outcome of irrational Thinking in ADHD and Autism.
Any action taken without Thinking is disastrous.
This is Memory in a nutshell.

I look forward to hearing about your experience.



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Dopamine dysregulation and addictive behavior in ADHD

ADHDers excel at cold decisions. Conversely, they have poor analytical skills. 

New therapies working on Self-regulation, boost Analytical Thinking.

 Is ‘Self-regulation’ the overall strategy? It would seem oversimplistic at first glance, although rightly evidenced by therapists.
Everybody will agree, neurodivergent or not, on the efficacy of Emotional Self-Regulation.
To stand correct, Professionals should emphasize how to achieve Self-Regulation.
Well, after extensive research, I found out the answer, still in the making.

Before going into depth, we must analyze how Emotions work in ADHD, to debunk the notion of “poor analysis”, coincidentally.

Addictive Behavior and Dopamine Dysfunction

ADHDers have naturally Addictive Personalities as result of Dopamine Dysfunction.
How does Dopamine Dysfunction relate?
It’s important to be very straightforward when it comes to Dopamine.
We are all comfortable with the Motivating, Disinhibiting, Feel-good neurotransmitter s definition, not so much with Bodily Cocaine.
In ADHD, Dopamine mimics this heavy stimulant drug, with sudden peak-levels followed by sudden drop-offs. Once the dopamine is absorbed into Receptor-neurons, it is not re-uptaken, leaving the brain starved.
Cerebral starvation is a potential contributor to Addiction, since the brain tries to make out for the missing chemical to no avail. Stimulant Medication is a life-saver, though it wears off in 6/8 hours. 
This explains the excellence in cold-decisions in ADHD, whilst poor Analytical Thinking. It is either too much or nothing. Current medication aims to provide dopamine for the most demanding part of day, not the ultimate solution.

The stage where Self-Regulation comes into play by Crowding-out

ADHD coaches describe Self-Regulation as in Crowding-out.
Crowding-out means  “making space” .
ADHDers process multiple thoughts simultaneously. Thoughts are 70% negative, they hold us back.
We must make space for positive thoughts by getting rid of unhealthy, intrusive, useless, enslaving, trapping thoughts.

The role of the therapist would be giving instructions, whilst the patient works out on their own achieving schedule by selecting positive feelings from negative ones. The therapist can help by giving a general list of most common thoughts to relinquish.

The practice is still being perfected and has a potentially high successful rate.
Medication will continue to be complementary however, with Self-Regulation we will abate the Emotional Crash following the withdrawal syndrome through Willpower.



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Irrational Beliefs in neurodivergence

The concept of addiction

Addictions are Irrational Beliefs, so-called Presumptions in psychology.
Latest findings suggest a distinct correlation between males and females’ onset.

Common causes of addiction

Generally speaking, the main agonists of Addiction are Idolatry, Visuals, Guilt, Relapse and Neurodivergence.
Idolatry and Visuals are related to the natural brain inclination to Curiosity and Imitation. Relapse and Guilt are part of the Recovery Process. Neurodivergence is associated with Vulnerability, Masking and Performance.
Addiction is synonymous with Innocent Presumption, Pride, Arrogance, Self-righteousness.
In brief, pathological Narcissism.
Substances or Lust become godlike Idols for the Addict.

Addictions in males and females

The male brain is visual. The female brain is emotional.
Physical attraction is the initial response of men towards women.
Mannerism comes first in women.
Eventually, these two feelings fuse together in neurotypical couples after the first meeting at face-value. This is an Healthy Imitation, so-called Complementary.

Love and Drug Addiction

The process is the same for addictive personalities, though the Fusion is detrimental to the female character: Physical attraction typically involves Lust and Pornography in the male character, who sees the female partner as Sex slave.
Same goes with substances: Imitation grows parallel to Intimacy.
Cinematography has been eloquent on the subject, with cult-movies the likes of ‘Christiane F.’ and ‘Toxic Love’ between the most popular, all exploring the connection between Love and Addiction.

Love is a Bond, either beneficially or destructively uniting.
Suffering is a component of Love: when we feel deeply connected, we want to share that experience. Addicts are often charismatic in their own ways, perceived as gifts. At this point, we are hooked. Just a female neurotypical minority, usually in their 30 s, therefore more selective and family oriented, would discern the inadequacy of a longtime relationship, either slipping-away or setting firm boundaries. Girls in their mid-20 s are not so smart, personality is not fully defined until 25. Imitation, a subcategory of Learning in Executive Function, takes over in the form of Role-model towards an older partner, combined with strong Camaraderie bordering Behavioral Idolization. The younger person sees the Highs of Addiction only, while failing to acknowledge the painful Withdrawal syndrome.
From their perspective, the addict carefully hides the Lows.
Addiction becomes the outcome of Successful Performance and Wellbeing, even more so for the Neurodivergent.
A vicious cycle.

Once again, the Amygdala is the main source of superior male  ‘Visuospatial skills’.
Visuospatial skills are the ability to turn Images entirely into Emotions.
The male Amygdala is larger in size and 100% activated by Visuals.
The female Amygdala is smaller. Only the left side is activated by Visuals, a more subtle analytic system.
To say, males see a body, females see body-traits, the latter definitely a plus in relationships and selection.
Conversely, males fare better in the battlefield and worse in Addictions.
Pornography is a powerful hook to men, highly destructive financially and socially, yet legal as for tobacco and alcohol, multibillion businesses, coincidentally.
I have come to the belief that Laws are approved by Money… you pay the bail, you walk, at least in the US.

Addiction and Age

In the social-media era, everything travels online.
Children as young as 6, already possess the latest model of smartphone.
Parents see them as safeguards, while in reality they’re the first means of virtual kidnapping through improper use. Visuals, of any kind. Imagine what videos of drug users or nudity can do to the brain of a 6 yo boy…
Surveys report children having watched pornography by 12 on their phones! These are secured addicts in adulthood.

Anyway, it would seem that sex-hormones are responsible for addiction in both sexes, estrogens in women, androgens in men.
From that, the consolidation of the Impersonation as in Imitation of the addicted person within the Love bond.
Close monitoring of friendships by parents is the primary prevention for Addictions in teens, these days, with males the most at risk.
Mature women can be of help in addictions by sincere care without Love bond until the counterpart shows signs of Recovery.
Family supervision is always recommended.
It’s hard to tell, though under-25 should keep distance from addicts.

After all, Addiction is a Illness

Relapse is very much associated with Guilt.
Getting rid of Guilt is the key for sobriety.
Remember, Addiction is a Illness, never be judgemental.
The human brain is naturally addictive. Substance abusers are thought to have less control over their emotions.

Addictions are isolating, territorial and antisocial.
Humans are sociable, we must interact with all kinds of people in daily life.
Substance abusers tend to withdraw from society or to stick to their group.

Cinematography is big on the addiction subject still, it can’t dissuade against.
In fact, it seems to incite more.

We still haven’t fully understood the addictive brain.
Evidence suggests our brain is subconsciously prone to imitating and exploring novelty. We don’t recognize addictive behavior until we’re addicted.

Mental illness makes it all the worse.
That would explain why vulnerable viewers imitate destructive content rather than steering clear from it.
Soothing content is not appealing to addictive personalities, it doesn’t make them numb.
All these people want, is shutting down emotional pain.
They build their own trap and hardly reach out for help alone.

Babsy, the youngest heroin victim at age 14 featured in the real-life drama ‘Christiane F.’, left a note saying “I love too much”.

Could lack of love be the cause of addiction?
Victims always have the best answers… when it is too late.

I hope readers with or without addictions, understood the compassionate approach of this post.
No inquisitive or judgemental comments are meant.
I write from personal experience and background as an EMT.
Addiction is not Crime, it’s a Cry for help.
Everybody must recognize the need to reach out of the most vulnerable.

Empathy is innate, but we must show it, unless we have a Personality Disorder.
NPD, the medical term for Narcissism, or Self-love, is rampant these New Age days where we are encouraged to be our own Gods.

Remember, Addictions are never a free choice.
And recovery is always possible.

You’re not alone.


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Resistance vs Tolerance in Neurodivergence

Pharmaceuticals’ info on Medication is always generic.

Pharmaceuticals will never disclose specific details to consumers and doctors for marketing purposes, most notably Meds-lifespan.
Patients are the first to acknowledge, after few weeks, what professionals don’t say, to their dismay.

There’s no such general consensus on the duration of medications.
Doctors know it.

The lifespan of meds as indicated by manufacturers, is calculated  ‘on body at rest’ and always averaged.
It is mostly unlikely that someone will take a medication in a state of wellbeing.

The current trend in psychopharmacology is XR, as in Extended Release.
XR is calculated in 12 hours, though in real life, the compound is often metabolized within 10 to 6 hours.
This is what defines  “Resistance”, a synonym of Metabolism.

There are hundreds factors affecting Metabolism however, let’s not overlap reactions.
Metabolism is the body Absorbing process of food, vitamins, minerals, medications… its timing varies in each individual.

Stress speeds up metabolism dramatically, the body desperate reaching-out for energy in all directions, last but not least, medication.

I see Tolerance as a bypass of Resistance, not Addiction.
When we get the full benefits of a substance, we don’t develop Tolerance.

I hear all the time from patients: “My medication stopped working”, in contrast to “I’ve been on the same med for 20 years and it works like the first day”.
Since we’re focusing on Mental Health, I ll describe the latter comment as in Mood-Stabilization, hardly achievable for working people in our constant challenging society, though not impossible.
Stable Mood is the criteria used by pharmaceuticals in order to set a med’s active status.
This is very misleading to individuals in leadership positions or students facing challenges on a regular basis. There are ordinary days when meds last longer, or hectic times when they don’t work at all. 
Cortisol and Adrenaline are the main culprits for pushing Metabolism into overdrive.

With that said, what’s the remedy?

Antipsychotics are the only compounds known to slow down Metabolism with side-effects like Weight-gain and Sedation.

More research is needed.

My takeaway is adjusting dosage according to situations.

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