Could this be autism? (Adult)

longman said:

I think there's a myth that, because of fear of change, and rigour of thought, people on the spectrum might avoid getting involved in drugs, but the reality seems to be the opposite. I was surprised to find how many alcoholics might be on the spectrum, but only recently found out that there are high numbers who've experimented adversely with drugs. 

This might be a quest for social acceptance, if those likely to befriend are themselves into drugs.

This is probably a topic for another thread, but...

I think there is more to it than simply that "those likely to befriend are themselves into drugs".

Drugs alter the mix of chemicals sloshing around in one's body and brain and can have positive effects.

I've not used any of them, but my understanding is that stimulants such as Cocaine, Speed, and Ecstacy, increase confidence, feelings of belonging (in the case of Ecstacy), and, like alcohol, reduce inhibitions.

Halucinogens, on the other hand, such as Cannabis, Acid, Magic Mushroom, and Ketamine, all of which I am not ashamed to state I have used, change one's perceptions of reality, making one feel more relaxed, and 'at one' with the world, one's surrounding, and the people one is with. They are all very 'social' drugs.

I believe pure MDMA (the main ingredient in clean, unadulterated, Ecstacy) also has halucinogenic properties.

And then there are the depressants such as Alchohol, and Opiates. These 'block out' the real world and one's problems.

I should state that the sale, possesion, and consumption, of all of the above mentioned drugs, other than alcohol, is illegal, and they all, including alcohol, can have detrimental side-effects.

longman said:

an autistic spectrum diagnosis is not a way out, and still has a lot of stigma attached, and despite the Autism Act, little progress on any real help. So adding autism to your brother's disadvantages may not be the answer.

However, people on the autistic spectrum generally do not respond well to treatments and therapies for conditions such as depression, or drug and/or alcohol dependence, that are designed with neuro-typicals in mind, and can do more harm than good.

A diagnosis, therefor, may allow the right treatments and therapies to be used.

stranger said:

I think (someone correct me if I'm wrong) that you can develop depression and related mental health issues from using drugs.

You can.

You can also develop depression simply from being on the spectrum but undiagnosed.

Calobo said:

Hi, I hope this is the right board to post this on.

I am getting very worried about my brother, I'm wondering if he has autism that has just never been diagnosed.

I think there's a number of things going on.

This first part of your post:

Since he was a little boy he has shown autistic traits. He would never mix foods, had to organise everything his way etc and he would have major meltdowns if anything wasn't how he needed it to be.

He has always struggled with friendship groups and throughout school was labeled as the naughty kid. I feel that had he had a diagnosis of autism at a young age he could have avoided this all together. He was very hot headed, he would flip in seconds and become violant.

Sounds very much like he could well be on the spectrum.

The rest sounds very much, as others have said, that he his suffering from depression.

Sounds like depression. I think (someone correct me if I'm wrong) that you can develop depression and related mental health issues from using drugs.

openheart said:

I would say he is not autistic, narcotics, sex, violence ? Sounds like a reaction to drugs he is still taking.

Only an opinion.

Good luck

How are you getting 'sex' as a factor from an account of someone who had one relationship, nine years ago?

Alex R (posting personally)

I think there's a myth that, because of fear of change, and rigour of thought, people on the spectrum might avoid getting involved in drugs, but the reality seems to be the opposite. I was surprised to find how many alcoholics might be on the spectrum, but only recently found out that there are high numbers who've experimented adversely with drugs. 

This might be a quest for social acceptance, if those likely to befriend are themselves into drugs.

Also there are lots of other reasons why someone might retreat into solitude, not wash etc., both pyschological and as a consequence of drugs or alcohol.

But I'm also aware that a crisis can trigger dramatic changes for someone on the spectrum.

So I guess what I'm saying is you are right to be concerned about your brother, and maybe this needs a follow up. On the other hand an autistic spectrum diagnosis is not a way out, and still has a lot of stigma attached, and despite the Autism Act, little progress on any real help. So adding autism to your brother's disadvantages may not be the answer.

So be cautious and open to other possibilities. Hope this helps.

I would say he is not autistic, narcotics, sex, violence ? Sounds like a reaction to drugs he is still taking.

Only an opinion.

Good luck

It does sound very much like autism.  Is he aware of autism/Asperger's at all?  Could you give him a leaflet to look at to think about whether he would want to get assessed?

There are other conditions that can make someone become reclusive like that such as social phobia, anxiety, depression but as you describe meltdowns and issues with food, wanting to control his environment and behaviour issues at school it does sound very likely he is on the spectrum.

Having autism also puts you at high risk of secondary diagnoses such as anxiety and depression so he really does sound as if he needs support and assessment.