Depression and possible Autism/Aspergers

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
  • I have read similar urspecial, that people on the spectrum can be asexual or have no interest in relationships and confuse that with thinking they must be gay.

    I think to be sure you are gay, you would have to definitely feel attraction to members of your own gender.  If you just don't fancy members of the opposite gender or don't fancy anyone, that doesn't mean someone is gay.

    I may also be naive about this, but I have wondered in the past, whether some people choose being gay once they have had disappointing experiences with members of the opposite gender that make them not want to repeat the experience.

Reply
  • I have read similar urspecial, that people on the spectrum can be asexual or have no interest in relationships and confuse that with thinking they must be gay.

    I think to be sure you are gay, you would have to definitely feel attraction to members of your own gender.  If you just don't fancy members of the opposite gender or don't fancy anyone, that doesn't mean someone is gay.

    I may also be naive about this, but I have wondered in the past, whether some people choose being gay once they have had disappointing experiences with members of the opposite gender that make them not want to repeat the experience.

Children
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