Hello all
I've come across many people discussing what medications they are on, or their friend/relative, is taking, in regards to helping them cope living on the Autistic spectrum.
I've not been officially diagnosed with being on the Autism Spectrum, because when I was told I probably had Asperger's Syndrome there was no where convenient for adults to be diagnosed and there was also no support for the North of Scotland (awareness of support is now slowly changing thankfully). When I was younger I struggled with speech therapy, had countless sessions on physiotherapy for aching joints and my "funny walk", disruptive in class, had my hearing tested several times, and didn't cope well with social situations. Because of the issues of feeling trapped in classrooms with people, the social situations of school, and being bored in school ended up with me seeing a councillor again. I've seen councillors since a very young age but there was a few years where I didn't see one. This is when all the medications began to appear.
I was started on Fluoxetine (Prozac), which I was not comfortable taking. No one could get me to take mediction for more than about 3 weeks. There were other things tried but I never stuck at it. I never knew I might be Autisitc until it was mentioned a couple of years ago, then everything made sense. All this time they had been using CBT, psychiatrists, and medication, to tryand fix the affects of Autism, and not the underlying cause. It was mentioned by a new psychiatrist I met who had another female patient who had very similar mannerisms to me who had been officially diagnosed. By this point I had been on citalopram and omeprazole for sometime, and it made me think...
Where do you draw the line in regards to medication in Autism? As being on the spectrum is a lifelong condition, can doctors expects us to forever take medication? What has helped me the most has been doing things like CBT, helping my brain think of situations differently. As it's been a few years since I've last had CBT I would like more again because the first course was for the agrophobia, where I still have problems with being out in public and fears of vomiting. I need help to deal with this mentally, but I moved areas and my current doctor just increased my dosage of Citalopram. I've told her what helps me but she always insists I take the Citalopram. When I mentioned to her I was going on a 16 hour trip to America her response was to prescribe me Diazepam! I've been on my holiday now, I tried my hardest to keep as calm as possible whilst travelling: earlplugs, comfortable clothing, picked suitable plane seats, which all helped. I did not take the Diazepam. I was travelling alone, since when is taking a new medication like that OK to take on your own travelling such distances?
I've been on the Citalopram longer than the recommended time now and I get heart palpitations and dizzy moments, which is a serious side affect. I've decided to come off it so I've been very gradually reducing my dose myself (which is not recommended, I know), but now that I have found support with the National Autistic Society I feel much better about life now that I have somewhere where there are people who understand. I also have a very understanding partner, which always helps.
But, after my essay, my point is where is the line drawn? When is too much medication too much? My Granny also had Asperger's and she was given a medication to help with one issue, then a medication to deal with the side affects of that medication, and then more medication to help with another problem. Unfortunately, I lost her this year, which is why it's so important for me to have support for the Autism, because I spoke to her so much about it. I wish she was given more psychiatric support, and I wish I questioned sooner all the medication she was taking, but that's how life has run.
If medication is not working for you, or you are not sure about the medication you are taking, there is nothing wrong with getting another appointment with your doctor just to discuss your medication queries. I find unless your doctor has had first hand experience with Autism, or is autistic herself/himself, they won't fully understand your needs. You know what works for you, but don't shun anything you think won't work. At least try it first.
Am I wrong in thinking that giving diazepam to someone on the autistic spectrum though is a bit too far?