Exposure Treatment for Systematic Desensitization in neurodivergence

Facing chronic fears gradually works through Detachment from elements triggering Phobias.

Phobias are irrational fears of traumatic origin.
90% of phobias develop in childhood and are easily overlooked as a natural developmental learning factor.

The fear of water is the most primordial manifestation in newborns, nobody is exempt however, if it persists through adulthood, it should be addressed.
Plenty of adults dread water, they are terrified of drowning and swimming.
A significant percentage feels suffocating under rushing showers.
The Medical term for this fear is ‘Ablutophobia’, although hardly addressed for shame of poor hygiene, despite sufferers being equally if not cleaner than today s average triple-daily-shower neurotypicals.

Phobias are hard to treat in adulthood, although latest research suggests there is hope with strong Commitment, Mindfulness and ultimately Desensitization. 

The biology of Phobias is well documented.
Each phobia is normally associated to six symptoms, so called ‘Phobic Ladder’.
Symptoms must be tackled individually, starting with the most disabling.

The latest entertained view of phobias in adults is Boredom.
Any action, pleasurable or not, becomes bothersome when compulsory.
I can confirm it. I dread showering even when I’m off. 
I’m working through Desensitization and make showering a pleasant habit.

This applies to any phobia.
As usual, easy said than done.
Nothing happens overnight.

The pharmacological implementation is symptomatic, with benzodiazepines and SSRIs as first choice.


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Environment in ADHD and Autism

Circumstances affect heavily pathological behavior.

Third day of amnesia and worry.
Fighting with teeth in inclement weather, breathing difficulties, insufficient oxygen flow to the brain.

My health-records report amnesia 2/3 days before low-pressure weather.

This morning was sunny and I felt in recovery mode.
In the afternoon, conditions suddenly changed for the worse.
I’m pumping dopamine desperately, evidence that I am trying to react.

I have learnt through the years that Reaction comes in the form of Hyperactivity in ADHD.
Thoughts race, I come up with hundred options simultaneously.
Prioritizing is the deal.

I have gradually become more convinced that autism and ADHD are not caused solely by genetic factors, but that environmental factors also play a role; they arise from the complex interaction between genetic predisposition and environmental influences.

Climate change hit hard in the last five years.
Seasons are no longer discernible.
Thermal excursions of 10 c from one day to the next are the norm.
That puts tremendous pressure on my body and mind, making me craving home. Europe is rated best weather to date.

I’m writing this right in the midst of a sudden strong storm after a bright day.
I’m panicking.
I can’t adjust to sudden changes.

Nature is stronger than man.
We’re living on a minefield.

The medical term for this phobia is Metereopathy, autistics are extremely vulnerable.
There is no specific cure, though my psychiatrist treats me the symptoms off-label with Motion sickness’ medication, since the pathology is mostly related to high humidity levels.
I feel it’s somewhat effective.
Humid air is a constant source in Asia.
The theory is that weather-changes displace neurons, causing Motion-sickness’ symptoms.
These compounds re-adjust neurons, abating to a varying degree panic-attacks and the likes.
They could be a valid alternative to habit-forming benzodiazepines however, research is still in the making.

Sadly, the Asian Monsoon Season extended well into mid-October in the last decade, due to global warming. It will keep extending for the next 50 years, scientists say.

We live in a 5 to 5 setting, this time of year.
Asians are morning-people: even in the shortest December/January days, the sun rises at 6:50. But sets at 4:30.
I hate city sunsets: my dopamine levels drop suddenly, just to stabilize again once night settles. I feel at peace at night, despite those 30 minutes of dreaded sunset.
I close the curtains when sunset starts, to re-open them once night sets.
Latest research shows that Neurons and Synapses can be displaced by natural elements. Behavioral disturbances are most likely, particularly in autism. Severe cases can be fatal.
I shall emphasize that neurons are potentially ‘migrant’, the medical term for ‘displacive’.
The most dramatic example of neuron-displacement is brain-stroke.
The main function of neurons is intercellular communication.
The stereotypical autistic meltdown is a disruption in neuronal-communication through displacement.

Neuronal-stabilization is the last frontier in Mental Health.
Some medications-SSRI antidepressants- are somehow effective, but not without a full array of side-effects.
Off-label experimentation of different compounds is well underway.

When neurons migrate, they re-assemble in a dysfunctional pattern, affecting personality and behavior.
This plays a major role in autism.

I believe Neuronal-Stability will be the successful achievement in Mental Illness.




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Self-care in mental health

Self-care should be pleasurable and relaxing. For neurodivergents and specific professions, it is often a stressful necessity.

Meteoropathy is a real pathology.

We normally associate weather with Hot or Cold, though there’s a full range of related implications for our physical and emotional health.

It is still being tested whether hot or cold has the most beneficial impact in self-care.

When we talk of self-care these days, the first thought coming to mind is showering.

Back in the day, it used to be face-washing and combing hair.
Shaving for men.

For many people, dermatologists say that showering every two to three days is enough to stay clean while protecting the skin barrier. Not an option in hot-muggy Asia from May to October.

It is not relaxation for me.
Scrubbing daily in the shower for 30 minutes with antiseptic lotions drains me.

Self-care is WORK for me.

I find cold water more comfortable.
Speculation wants that a cold shower enhances dopamine for one hour, just what I need before collapsing in bed.

Don’t take anything for granted.

Even self-care is a gift.


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Building habits in ADHD

Happy Memories anticipate Reward.

Today I have severe amnesia.
I know why: Worry.
I’m struggling hard to write.

Psychologists say it’s totally unproductive to engage in intellectual activities when burnt out, better rest and make out at a later time.
Not always an option.

I shun weakness.

It is not that I never feel weak, I don’t accept to be weak.

Parental education plays a major factor, I come from a military family.
It implies shame and guilt towards weakness and defeat.

My psychiatrist tells me I m too unforgiving with myself.
I don’t buy that, the longer inactive the weaker I get.
Put it bluntly, I can’t afford to be sick.

Amnesia is the most common outcome of Burnout to me.
ADHD makes it all the more frustrating.

Routines are partners in crime with Comfort.
The sarcasm comes from the realization that Routines are not permanent.
Soon or  later, Changes will come. 
Age is the most obvious natural progression to Life changes.

The challenge with ADHD is that Time virtually doesn’t exist, while building Habits is more rewarding and realistic.

We get into a habit, to say we craft it to our convenience.
Conversely, we adapt to imposed routines.

An habit is never imposed, therefore flexible.
A routine is always adopted, turning Stress into Comfort, henceforth re-adaptation to stressful changing circumstances.

ADHD and Autism are highly co-morbid, see AUDHD, despite predominant ADHD ers work hard to forming healthy habits in order to avoid Procrastination through rewarding Visuals.
Visuals are Reward in ADHD. In Autism, they are Patterns.
Reward is Motivation. Patterns are Repetitions.
ADHDers are unproductive without Reward. Autistics shutdown without Patterns.

Both behaviors require Anticipation and Preparedness.
Anticipation to build a habit in distractive ADHD, Preparedness to a new repetitive Pattern in routinely Autism.

The shared commonality is Time.

Autistics can create Routines at their pace, the faster the more accommodating. They only need Willpower. They have plenty of it, to achieve craved Routines.

ADHD is more complex, though more flexible and less obsessive in the long-term as result of their inherent search to Novelty and Thrill.

This process takes more time to building lasting Habits, since it involves more elements.

Visualization 

Visualization is a feature of Reward in ADHD.
It reorganises past and present happy Memories in the hippocampus for the Anticipation of Reward.

This is a recent finding in Neurology by observing EEG waves showing neural activity in the Hippocampus with neurons converging to this region during Memory Recall.

Visuals account for memories. Memories are stored in the hippocampus.
The finding would qualify the hippocampus as part of the Reward System by selecting Rewarding Memories from Traumatic ones.
It will also consolidate Trauma as the pave-way of Mental Illness.

Neural Hedonic Reactions are complemented primarily by the Nucleus Accumbens, Amygdala and  Orbitofrontal Corteces.
The Hippocampus would enhance these reactions and it’s a major target of Amphetamines and Methylphenidate in ADHD. Contrary to the logic, Stimulants don’t target Attention Networks. Reward stimulates Attention.
I reckon Stimulants should be more selective, Hippocampus oriented, in light of latest developments.

Why Medication is never 100% effective?

Whether it is a Marketing Strategy by pharmaceuticals-no more disease, no more need for medication-Idiosyncrasies-adverse effects-are always lurking.

Anhedonia, the inability to experience pleasure, develops as antagonist to Hedonism, primarily in Bipolar Disorder, ADHD.
Ironically, the latest generation of Antidepressants has the acronym SSRI, Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors.
Unjustly, there is no selective timescale inhibitor for ADHD, other than symptomatic treatment for dopamine/norepinephrine deficiency.

Based on these findings, ADHDers will build their Habits gradually through Visual Perception, until it will become Rewarding.
It is paramount to know what really makes our day, from the moment the alarm-clock goes off! The alarm itself could be rewarding: select your favorite track to wake up, in place of the dreaded ear-splitting ring. Choose soothing flashlights in place of flashing, blinding ones.

Memories are apparently the main players in Mental Health.

Sound & Vision accompany us throughout our whole lives, accounting for Memories.
The Hippocampus’ function is to organise stored memories for our mental hedonism, typically accomplished in the NT.

Anhedonia is once again caused by Dopamine deficiency in the Reward System, the Ventral Striatum.
We should advocate for virtual SHDRIs-Selective Hippocampus Dopamine Reuptake Inhibitors- for optimal results.
Current Stimulants had turned out non-specific, insufficient to cover the entire Reward System in a limited daily timeframe.

I endorse to make an impact on pharmaceuticals with this user’ statement.
It is well documented the Conflict of Interests between Research and Profits.
Unfortunately, Profit always takes priority over Benefits, although I envision big revenues from this project.

To use a stereotypical wrapper, let’s see what happens.







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Unfolding Truths of Neurodivergent Abuse in the School System

Teachers knew nothing of Autism and ADHD 30 years ago.

There is recently a revival between middle-aged Autism communities about abuse at the hands of Teachers in the 70-80-90s.

Those were the decades when behavioral ignorant teachers had legal full-power over students and were immune from parents’ lawsuits in Europe,
as evidenced by predominant diagnoses in the middle-aged.

Today, teachers are very much ‘second parents’, highly trained in neurodevelopmental disorders.
Back in the day, they were every student’s irrefutable, dreaded disciplinarians.

More horror stories are coming to light 30 years on.

Unfortunately, most teachers from those days are either departed or in advanced age, making them jurisdictionally exonerated.

I’m not seeking revenge, I would like to hear from them for research purposes.
What did they believe to achieve using psychological violence against the weak?

It is true that violence can break the shell of smart psychopaths and it is still secretly used by law-enforcement in Maximum Security Prisons. 
Whether ethical or not, it serves a purpose, i.e. gathering vital anti-terrorism Intelligence.

This would lead me to believe that Neurodiversity was perceived as Criminality.

My Maths teacher would yell at me during class in front of everybody that I was assuming drugs in primary school.
I want to forget!
Such harassment today, would result in the immediate dismissal of the teacher!
When I think back to those painful times, my body still shakes in panic.
She is one of the people who ruined my life.

Were teachers following imposed disciplinary guidelines?
I wish that was the case, for the sake of their sanity!
The speculation is rampant.

Whoever the perpetrators, they knew to be protected.
They will only respond to God, while the vulnerable will pay the price to the end.
However, we’ll guarantee that these horrors won’t be repeated.



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Mania and Autism

When diagnoses are used interchangeably.

Most Aspies-the elite group of Autistics- exhibit signs of Mania.
Mania is typically associated with Bipolar Disorder, though it is gaining momentum in ASD, formerly known as Asperger’ Syndrome.
More evidence to my belief of ASD and Autism as two distinct disorders.

Mania is characterized by high energy, productivity, reduced sleep, high concentration, multitasking, stilted speech, high self-esteem, narcissism.
Not the class of symptoms defining traditional Autism, you ll agree.

“High functioning/low functioning Autism” are NOT Medical diagnoses. 
They are popular definitions of convenience and very discriminatory.
All mental disorders share common traits, that doesn’t mean they are on the same page.

Parenting young-adult autistics

Parents can’t always be present 24/7 for no-sufficient young-adults.

As of today, there are three major typologies of housing for the cognitive impaired:

  • Sheltered Housing
  • Group homes 
  • Community lodgings 

They equal by on-site 24/7 Support.

They differ in orientation:

Sheltered Housing focuses on the Independence achievement of their guests, therefore time-limited.

Group homes are virtually permanent shared apartments for semi-independent residents.

Community lodgings are the most common. They tend to no-independent guests on socio-medical referrals. Here is when Parenting is most impactful. These structures offer permanent housing to orphaned guests, or temporary relief to overwhelmed families.

I conclude with an open-ended question : where do High-functioning autistics fit?

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Low-functioning Autism

There is only one diagnosis of Autism. 

High-functioning/Low-functioning Autism are distinct disorders, in my opinion.

We know of the different facets of Autism, ASD, Asperger Syndrome, whilst little of the most debilitating form, Low-functioning Autism, a definition of convenience. In fact, I consider it a full-blown Psychosis.
I still remember my brother’s first diagnosis: Infant Syndrome Psychosis.The psychiatrist wrote Autism when he was institutionalized…

The fact that low-functioning autistics share these traits with their high-functioning counterparts doesn’t necessarily mean they’re autistic.

Would you compare a pluridecorate Asperger with a person who can’t read, write, dress up, like the ‘Autistic guests’ of my brother s community?! No way. 
Research is at a loss and understandably manipulated.

‘Functioning Autism’ has become a successful resume’ for smart people, I surely don’t see these people as sick.
These are the individuals always featured in the Autistic Community.

Nobody features my brother and his community in the media.

I do see ‘low-functioning Autism’ as illness, based on my brother who needs 24/7 assistance, formally diagnosed with Autism.

Are we talking of Illness or Personality?
Or something totally unrelated to Autism?

Has Autism become a diagnosis of convenience?

I look forward to your response.



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Create your own Slogans

 It would seem like AI marked the end of Creative Writing.

Slogans are “personal keywords”, or “free expressions”, for we used to write our essays in school, back in the day.

Nowadays, Writing is no longer spontaneous: most authors admit to using AI in editing their books or articles. The result is a perfectly spotless manuscript, despite a robotic, unnatural, stilted language. It is like another person is writing, if you compare the original manuscript with the AI edited one, yet most bloggers and journalists are comfortable with it, what they see as a timesaver for revision, a fat No for routinely autistics.
Search-engines’ generated Keywords are shunned by the neurodivergent, yet unavoidable to gain readership, this day and age.

What’s the solution?

Create your own keywords, renamed Slogans in psychology.

Slogans are first and foremost Expressions.
Eventually, they can be detected as  “long-tail keywords” by search-engines.

However, Slogans are not exclusive to the Online business.
“Everything travels online, today” is an overly generalized statement.

Slogans can be powerful rewarding reminders in ADHD.
They are not time-related agendas. As previously mentioned, they are carefully self-crafted strategies. They are not imposed, nor resolutions.
They are highly sought after Wills, henceforth not dismissed.
ADHDers function on Rewards. They build their Reward in their Slogans.

Last but not least, Slogans can be put together to gain readership if you are in the Media business, without conforming to Keywords.







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Idiosyncratic Reactions in ADHD

ADHD is highly co-morbid with Autism. It is characterized by Paralysis Worry.

ADHD is characterized by dysfunctional Dopamine and Adrenaline transmission.
Contrary to the logic, these rewarding neurotransmitters are deficient at pre-synaptic level, while stationary at receptor-level.

The Hyperactivity associated to ADHD is a Craving for Dopamine and Adrenaline, NOT an Excess, as popularly endorsed by ignorant, sadistic, old Millennial teachers which my generation had the disgust of knowing.
I apologize to young educated teachers, I strive hard to come to terms with, although 20 years of abuse and humiliation leave the mark.

ADHD was the curse of all teachers, back in the day.
The timeframe was the 80/90 s, ndr.
Teachers didn’t have any basic Mental Health skills, ADHDers were seen as diabolically possessed, literally: we were called “Children of Satan” and treated accordingly, at least in my country.
My predisposition to humanities is what saved me.
My Maths professor would have made for a Master Exorcist!

I do have issues with PTSD as well, you ll understand. It always gets in the way, out of control.
It is hard to stay on topic with ADHD, but I give free will to my mind, prior to typing guidelines. I’m not pretending, just being me.

So, back to the top.
Neurotransmission takes place between releasing cells, synapses and receiving cells, so-called Receptors.
The process must be interchangeable and continuous, henceforth regulated by the Autonomous Nervous System.
Once again, we cure the symptoms, not the disease.

In ADHD, dopamine and adrenaline are not re-uptaken in the releasing cells, they remain trapped in the receptors and ineffective.
That explains why Stimulants have a calming impact in ADHD by increasing dopamine and adrenaline at pre-synaptic level.
Speculation is that Humoral Neurotransmitters are active at releasing cells-level only.
Receptors would be the recharge-pools of dormant neurotransmitters.
Stimulants target Adrenal glands in order to manufacture extra dopamine and adrenaline.

Put it bluntly, we function on Stimuli.
By law of physics, Energy can only be released by ignition and absorbed.
Absorption gradually decreases energy, unless Re-uptaken and fired again.
This is the functional neurotransmission pattern.

 Idiosyncratic reactions are common in the brain.

“Idiosyncratic” refers to “Opposite, Atypical”, in Medical.

GABA is popularly known as the calming neurotransmitter by regulating nerve impulses. It has the potential of blocking the release of dopamine and adrenaline. 
If taken into consideration the ‘Release Effect’, it would be an enemy in ADHD.
If taken into consideration the ‘Pre-synaptic Effect’, it would be a blessing.
These two mechanisms of action are not yet clear.
Personally, I m in favour of the Release Effect.

Paralysis Worry is the medical term for Procrastination, or Overthinking.
ADHDers are good at taking cold decisions, whilst faulty at decision-making as result of low self-esteem. This is literally paralysing. Worry is the subconscious precursor. At this stage, it is easy to imagine the efficacy of stimulants.

Stimming is a visible feature of Paralysis Worry, a repetitive, unproductive nervous tic like tapping hands or feet.
How influential is OCD in ADHD?
They are indeed repetitive compulsions, with the exception that OCD ultimately releases anxiety, whereas Stimming can be permanent.



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Emotional Conflict in ADHD

 Lack of motivation in ADHD can be the result of  ‘Conflicting conscious and subconscious emotions’.

We are still learning about how Emotions work.
It is the most studied field in neuroscience to date, the updated version of Anxiety as in the pave-way of all mental disorders.

Latest findings in ADHD suggest Subconscious Emotions-dormant feelings-are picked up first by the Autonomous Nervous System.

Subconscious emotions are most often rewardless.
The ADHD brain is constantly craving for reward.

We have no control over subconscious thoughts, therefore a real emotional conflict will arise, resulting in hyperactivity and loss of focus.

Flashbacks are the popular definition of subconscious emotions. They are always traumatic, since the brain is programmed to process Present Information.
Everybody has subconscious memories at a dormant level, but the ADHD brain never sleeps. 

Apparently, dopaminergic medication can’t distinguish between emotions.
Subconscious thoughts are normally not recalled at conscious level, though detected by the Autonomous Nervous System, particularly in stressful situations.
An example is waking up in a bad mood without apparent reason.

The neurotypical brain selects emotions. In ADHD, the process is aggravated by Emotional Conflict. 

Speculation is that the Amygdala, the gland at the center of the Limbic System acting as emotional modulator, goes into overdrive in ADHD.
There is no cure yet, other than dopaminergic medication enhancing reward.
Stimulants help to a good deal however, they cannot reverse unpleasant emotions. 

The more effective action to date is Prioritizing, working on rewarding tasks first and using the extra dopamine later for bothersome tasks.

The goal is achieving Emotional Regulation.
Emotional Conflict is a subcategory of Emotional Dysregulation, specifically the inability to control emotional outbursts.
You may recall the Magnification of Stress in ADHD as the result of Prefrontal Cortex Impulsivity associated to an overactive Amygdala, accounting for the real Conflict.
Again, the sufferer indulges in dangerous behaviors without thinking of consequences, all in a desperate attempt for Reward.
Administering an extra dose of Stimulants is the action of choice.
ADHDers are usually reassured by the release of craved dopamine, approximately within 30 minutes, during which they might go into Shutdown, not a medical emergency.

Nonetheless, Stimulants target Reward Networks.





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