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Depression and possible Autism/Aspergers

Bigbro

Hello, I'm new here but I've been researching and learning from this site and community for quite some time now and have come to the conclusion that my brother could be somewhere on the spectrum.

He's 31 and has always been a fairly lonely guy and never had many friends. Since reading these forums I have noticed he has a number of traits. Now, I could be completely wrong about this but it might be something worth exploring.

The problem is that he is currently suffering with quite severe depression. This all came to a head a few years ago when he came out and told us he's gay. I'm also gay and came out when I was about 18 but my mother didn't react well to the news so he's kept it to himself for about 10 years. I can't imagine what that's done to him and I feel so sorry for him.

He's being treated for the depression and has counselling but my question to you guys is whether the depression should be dealt with before bringing up the possibility of him being on the spectrum. On one hand, if he is on the spectrum, it may help him to understand how he's feeling. On the other, it could confuse things and make things worse.

I'd really appreciate any thoughts, ideas and suggestions on this and if you have any questions, please do ask.

Thanks for reading.

Parents

  • Very interesting debate.

    I too agree with Longman about lack of research in this area or reliable points of reference.

    I think there has been some research on Autism and Sexuality, I don't think there has been much in-depth study and not much we did not know or could have presumed from without it.

    Definatly agree with Longman about research not being in this area and more on the "cure" side of things    *cough*    NAS and Research Autism   *cough*

    Not saying they may not necessarily be important or interesting but not looking at the day to day side of things.

     

    Agree with Hope too that adding ASD into the mix confuses things more and can somewhat relate to Longman's theory on ambigious sexual identity.

    Discussing this very issue, a NHS Consultant Psychiatrist once said to me that some teenagers with ASD can be called "Gay, retarded etc" by their peers and because of their ASD they tend to believe this is true as they're peers are constantly saying it, so in the end they believe they are "Gay, retarded etc". Even though they may not necessarily be "Gay etc" and never "Retarded", it's just used as offenses or banter etc by peers.

    I don't know if that helps but adds another thing into the mix.

     

    urspecial

Reply

  • Very interesting debate.

    I too agree with Longman about lack of research in this area or reliable points of reference.

    I think there has been some research on Autism and Sexuality, I don't think there has been much in-depth study and not much we did not know or could have presumed from without it.

    Definatly agree with Longman about research not being in this area and more on the "cure" side of things    *cough*    NAS and Research Autism   *cough*

    Not saying they may not necessarily be important or interesting but not looking at the day to day side of things.

     

    Agree with Hope too that adding ASD into the mix confuses things more and can somewhat relate to Longman's theory on ambigious sexual identity.

    Discussing this very issue, a NHS Consultant Psychiatrist once said to me that some teenagers with ASD can be called "Gay, retarded etc" by their peers and because of their ASD they tend to believe this is true as they're peers are constantly saying it, so in the end they believe they are "Gay, retarded etc". Even though they may not necessarily be "Gay etc" and never "Retarded", it's just used as offenses or banter etc by peers.

    I don't know if that helps but adds another thing into the mix.

     

    urspecial

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