Self-identification vs Empathy and anticholinergic therapy in autism

Medications reach maximal adherence in synergy.

These two emotional states may look equal despite the mechanism of action being of different contexts.
Self-identifying is of hormonal origin, mainly adrenergic.
Empathy is of brain-circuitry origin, a kind of personality.

Autistics score high on self-identifying.

Endorphins overdrive is the most common reaction normally leading to meltdown in distressing situations.
It is established that adrenaline’s release through endorphins is contagious and autists have highlighted senses causing them to absorb it all.
Hormones play a pivotal role.

As for reward, we all crave for it: reward enhances dopamine and serotonin, the ‘feel good’ neurotransmitters.
These chemicals are often dysfunctional in autism.
Hormones affect neurotransmission to a varying degree.
In my experience, I don’t feel rewarded most of the time.

Off-label treatment is showing promising results, although the placebo effect cannot be ruled out.

Acetylcholine is the main neurotransmitter present at all body s nerve endings.
It plays a key-role in memory, motility, metabolism.
All neurotransmitters are somehow dependent to acetylcholine.

Anticholinergic therapy mimics the model of action of antidepressants by blocking neurotransmission at pre-synaptic level.

Latest research shows anticholinergic optimal response in combination with antihistamines and benzodiazepines.

In hot-humid climates, anticholinergics are widely employed in Motion-sickness by targeting Neuronal-displacement, coincidentally responsible for autistic meltdown.
In my experience, they have calming and non-sedating properties.
Specific categories of drugs peak efficacy in synergy. 

Meds’ info generally highlights Warnings of “potential interactions” or “no interactions reported”, thus far creating further apprehension among users. 

It is important to understand what the targets of drugs are.

  • Anticholinergics: acetylcholine 
  • Antidepressants: serotonin, dopamine, noradrenaline 
  • Benzodiazepines: G.A.B.A.
  • Antihistamines: mast cells’ histamine released in response to allergic reactions 

These compounds interact safely.

We know that most current medication cures symptoms, not the original disease.
We must identify where the symptoms originate in order to understand interactions, what meds-info will never tell you.
The Internet is all the more misleading and partial with countless medical ads.
Medical textbooks are mostly reliable.

Let’s start with Acetylcholine:
Acetylcholine is the final product of the Parasympathetic Nervous System.
That would explain the anticholinergics’ enhancement of anti-allergens like antihistamines.
For this reason, Acetylcholine is also referred to as neuromodulator.
Needless to say, the parasympathetic nervous system reverts allergic reactions triggered by the sympathetic nervous system.

Humoral neurotransmitters:
Serotonin, Dopamine and Noradrenaline are released by brain synapses following an electric impulse through neurons. 
Cerebral electric-activity determines functional neurotransmission and mood.
Antidepressants increase humoral neurotransmitters activity.

G.A.B.A.
Benzodiazepines enhance Antidepressants targeting the calming neurotransmitter GABA.
GABA in turn, is highly involved in the regulation of electrical nerve impulses.
See the interaction of benzodiazepines with electric-activity and anticonvulsants in the cure of epilepsy, an electric signals dysfunction.
Benzodiazepines increase GABA activity.

Histamine:
Histamine is released by mast cells present throughout the body.
Their function is to fight inflammation.
Inflammation is the response to allergens affecting mainly skin, airways and gastrointestinal tract.
The controversy of histamine is that it exacerbates inflammation.
Antihistamines block histamine release.
Their mechanism of action is not fully understood: they are potentially drowsy, sedating, enhancing all aforementioned compounds.
For this reason they are often used off-label in mental health.

Speculation that mental illness may be an allergic reaction is taken into consideration.


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Endorphins in Autism

Continuing the discussion on natural elements.

We all release Endorphins in response to stress and anxiety.

Endorphins produce what is commonly referred to as ‘body odor’, thus not of bacterial origin.
It is a pungent, chemical, triggering odor.
Speculation is that it stimulates adrenaline release.

Body odor is naturally produced by deteriorating skin bacteria.

Skin bacteria are a natural odorless protection from airborne pollutants.
They become foul smelly in contact with sweat as result of overheating.
Sweat alone is 100% odorless, we would never smell in the absence of bacteria.

We all sweat to a varying degree through physical activity.
Dermatologists recommend a shower ideally every 3 days in cold weather at physical rest, or daily rinsing for heavy laborers.

Endorphins related odor occurs under any distressing circumstance.
The odor is triggering for both the recipient and the receiving end.
Showering is useless if we don’t calm down.
Endorphins are not heat-dependent.

The sufferer goes in ‘fight or flight’ mode.
I could describe the experience as a long lasting panic attack.
Sedation is oftentimes indispensable.

Why are we affected by other’s endorphins?
I believe in autistic self-identify’s predisposition.

This is the worst scenario, like having two panic attacks simultaneously.
The odor becomes unbearable and Anger-triggering.

Avoiding confined spaces is the general rule for sensory overload’ s related conditions.



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Perceptual disturbances in Autism

Autistics are heavily influenced by natural and biological factors.

Autistics are particularly sensitive to anticipation.

I’m not talking of changes here, which are a long established feature.

A change happens in the present moment and it is commonly accompanied by a meltdown.

Anticipation is the dreading of an upcoming event, either planned or unexpected.

There are natural elements in the atmosphere easily perceived by autistics, like Barometric pressure: I always guess the morning-after’s weather.
I dread rain and humidity.

This kind of sensitivity is a pro to neurotypicals, while a major stressor to autistics.
Neuron-displacement remains the most accredited hypothesis.

What we don’t know for sure, is why neurotypicals are less affected.
Brain circuitry definitely plays a major role.

Autistics have strong perceptions.
Although they can come handy, they are a big trigger to me.

We’re living difficult times where the future is uncertain and gloomy.
The best approach is living to the day.
I wish I could.
I have an uncanny ability to predict circumstances instead.
And I’m almost right.

Circumstances are normally related to all the more dreadful dead ends.
Who likes dead ends?!
The ‘deadly’ reference alone is depressing enough to scare the hell out!
I question the legitimacy of linguists…
Why not ‘due dates’ ?
Not 100% harmonious, yet less macabre.

I wish I had no perceptions.

Antipsychotic therapy is the only option at present.
Not my thing, I want to be lucid all the time.
I dread sedation.
I can’t afford being sedated.
I’m a planner.

If only I could stop planning for a day, I could ease my perceptions.
Co-morbid ADHD doesn’t help, I can’t stop planning as an expat desperate to go home.

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Unrealistic predicaments in anxiety

Worst-Case Scenarios are virtually delusional.

I mentioned before the different chemistry of ‘Preparing for the worst’.

Although Readiness is shared in Preparedness, getting ready for a pleasant event is fueled by Motivation.
This doesn’t exclude a varying degree of apprehension, a mitigated form of anxiety.

“Looking forward” always accompanies Motivation. 
Some dictionaries give the expression as synonym of Motivation, altogether.
Whether Synonym or Definition, the genesis doesn’t change, grammar is no longer mandatory, these days.
AI will integrate all languages globally.

Nobody looks forward to the worst, but the better.
All humoral neurotransmitters are involved in motivation.
When the brain is depleted of humoral neurotransmitters, we inevitably envision Worst-Case Scenarios, the main cause of Worry-Paralysis.

Although medication helps to a big deal, Anticipation is a great complementary Mental Exercise.
By envisioning the Worst, our Parasympathetic Nervous System fights back Amplification.
Amplification is an irrational exuberance to dreadful events to come. 
Not to be mistaken for ‘Fear of the unknown’, a Chronic condition.

In Amplification, we know the time of the approaching storm, therefore we can stop the ‘build up’ of anxiety from progressing by amplifying the Worst, in so doing boosting the Parasympathetic response.
It is the same mechanism of vaccines, we introduce deactivated viruses into our body in order to boost the Immune System. 
An antianxiety vaccine is not available yet, therefore it is paramount to abate the build-up from scratch.

By Envisioning surreal scenarios, we lessen anxiety gradually.
The theory is keeping anxiety AT BAY however, with lots of practice, some subjects report facing the deadlines Anxiety-free.

Timing is the key.

Imagine this: there are hundreds meteorites potentially en-route to earth within decades, yet our fear is overtaken by reading how Space Agencies keep track of these annihilating objects while developing anti-impact technology.

Don’t wait to tackle your fears.


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Standpoints vs Defensiveness

Conflict-avoidance reverses Anger to Validation.

I’ve been talking a lot about Triggers and Defensiveness.

It is clear that Defensiveness is a byproduct of Anger. Some psychiatrists see Defensiveness and Anger as a single emotion.

Counter-validating is not giving up your standpoints, it’s a way of avoiding triggers as part of Anger management.
We can keep Anger at bay, but NOT erasing it.
We can turn Anger to our Wellbeing and Validation.

It is possible with time.

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Envy or Anger

Anger can take many forms, although it is oftentimes the result of trauma and abuse.

Anger is very individual.

To me, it s primarily Envy and Regret.

I regret growing up in the 80s when teachers didn’t have any mental-health training to recognise Autism and ADHD. 

I envy today’s children who are identified with learning disabilities in early life and put on special-needs education.

Back in the day, you were put on abuse….

I’ll never forget the trauma my entire life.


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Initiative / follow up

Gaining trust is challenging for neurodivergents. We are often misunderstood. It is vital setting boundaries and responsibilities in relationships between neurotypicals and neurodivergents.

My wife often tells me that I shout.
It’s not shouting for me but mirroring emotions.

I’ve been shouted at all my life.

I never get emotional with the purpose of offending.
Raising the voice is my means of protection.
My mother-in-law always shouts to my wife and I reply accordingly.

However, my wife doesn’t want me to get involved.

So here’s what happened today :
We go shopping-hate it but necessary- and I make the list as usual. 
I’m good at making lists.

Once we arrive at the mall and take the basket from the car, I spot my mother-in-law s basket and get emotional by saying “Why didn’t you tell me we have to do the shopping for your mother?!” 
Her mother loves shopping… 
“Because we were going!”

We spent an extra hour shopping, consequently.

Arrived home, I collect the laundry since it was threatening rain: “It s still wet!” Emotional again: “But it’ll rain soon! I want to dispose of the laundry! Why can’t I?!” 
“Because you shout!”

I meant “Hurry, it will rain soon!”

From today, I decided not to do things on my own initiative.

I’ll leave it to you to comment.
No offence will be taken. 

I feel downgraded for my diversity.

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Initiative

It’s best for neurodivergents to let trusted people do the first step. 

Yesterday I relaxed with my wife after an emotional weekend.

You’ll remember my resolution of avoiding to start tasks on my own.
→  ASD/ADHD vs Neurotypical Standards

The logic is, if my wife takes the initiative, I will comply without debates.
I’m anti-conflict by nature. 

I confess, it s not easy to keep the mouth shut.
Even more being passive.
After all, I am the neurodivergent.

I don’t suggest anymore what to eat, what to watch, etc.
I didn’t collect the laundry tonight like before, I ll help if she asks.
And most importantly, she won’t complain that it s still wet.

If marriage is compromising, even more so a neurodivergent one.


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  ASD/ADHD vs Neurotypical Standards

We are all unique and worthy. That can lead to confrontation. However, we can change confrontation to peaceful resolution with a funny sense of humor.

So I’ve been told I m not good at house-chores by my wife: men and women have different standards in house-chores.

Laundry is one of mine, a time-dependent chore.
I collect the laundry before sunset no matter what.
Besides, clothes don’t get any drier once the sun goes down and humidity up in Asia.

I proceed with folding the garments and put them in the drawers. My wife argues I should hang them indoors…no way I’m going to transform my room in a terrace! 

Who’s right or wrong?

I can’t discern from an autistic standpoint, I m eager to hear your thoughts.

I would like to hear from men and women together for an impartial opinion.

“I told you so” welcome, no offense intended, lol.

Who said autistics have no sense of humor?
Let’s have some fun, friends!



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Abuse coping in ASD/ADHD

There are anti-bullying techniques. Do not underestimate yourself.

The Autonomous Nervous System is composed by the Sympathetic and Parasympathetic Systems which literally FIGHT with each-other in Autism, whereas they BALANCE each-other in Neuro Normal Merit Standards.

The ‘Fight or Flee Sympathetic effect’ is predominant in Autism.
There’s little the Parasympathetic System can do once we’re upset.
Avoiding triggers is the option of choice.

What can we do when abused verbally?
The obvious answer would be ‘let go’…
How if we are already triggered?

Counter-validating: acknowledging the abuser.
What sounds bad for you, can be rewarding for them.
Bullies look for reward, play their game and disarm them.

This way, there’s no need to be defensive and they will be displaced.
In turn, they will acknowledge your standpoint.
A win-win tactic.

I’m working on that.

You can do it.

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