Published on 12, July, 2020
I've just freed up some space on my bookshelf for some new books, and was wondering?
I've bought Tony Attwood's 'Complete Guide to Asperger's Syndrome' which I've really enjoyed. From what I've read of it so far, its factually based, easy to read and also gives workable strategies to manage symptoms. Out of all the chapters I've read I personally relate to the one written on emotions the most.
Are there any other books you'd recommend? I'd prefer to read books which don't understand the condition from a 'I'm on a spectrum, and this is my lived experience activist mentality' but more from scientific perspective or from the perspective of a phycologist/psychiatrist
Personally I'm high functioning. I was diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome when I was 5, and Dyspraxia when I was a teenager. As an adult, I've had no issues whatsoever with managing money, cooking for myself or my work ethic or education (I have a high 2:1 Masters degree). Reason why I ask is that I've had depression/anxiety for a number of years and have been unable to work since finishing my degree, (although I have applied for over 100 jobs without much success). My psychiatrist (NHS with 30+ years experience) is thinking that my Autism might be exacerbating my low mood (rigid thinking), particularly when I shared my history of past self-esteem and bullying during my teenage years.
The only book I've found that really explained anything to me was The Gendered Brain by Gina Rippon, it is a science book rather than a how to guide. Every book I come across on autism is American and they talk about things we don't have in this country. Nearly all the books concentrate on children either parenting or young adults, there never seems to be anything for people like me who were diagnosed later in life, had been struggling for years and have been left to struggle. I've yet to find anything that speaks to me and my lived experience, let alone offers me any help.