Oxytocin

I read an article in the Daily Mail (so it must be true!!!) about a new 'Treatment' for autism using oxytocin. (this story is not new and has been going round for some time but the daily mail recirculates old stories frequently).  Apparently Oxytocin causes someone on the Autism Spectrum to react with more social interraction and makes them more likely to cuddle.

My understanding of oxytocin is that it is the hormone released when one falls in love, and is released in new mothers and causes them to bond with their babies. 

For anyone who ever has fallen in love, there is an extreme 'high' when one first experiences this.  Followed by a very extreme 'low' if the relationship breaks down.

The 'high' I think is due to the oxytocin affecting one's mind,  and then one becomes dependant on this .  The 'low' is withdrawal symptoms, which lead to the depression, anxiety, and all the bad feelings one gets at the breakdown of a relationship.

So I wonder, if using oxytocin in this way will actually lead to an even more intense meltdown if  for any reason it is withdrawn or unavailable?  And as with any drug, dependancy will become an issue.  It is not in my nature to take mind altering substances of any sort and would be very wary if my doctor prescribed it for me, a natural hormone or not. 

My other point of view is that there is this pervasive thought among many that ASD's need a 'cure' and this is not the case for everyone.  I do not need a 'cure'.  What I need is to be accepted for what I am, just different to other people and I have my own way of thinking and doing things. 

It was also interesting to read the comments to this article and the fact that some still believe autism is caused by measels vaccine!

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3738956/Sydney-scientists-trial-new-nasal-spray-used-treat-autism-five-years.html

Parents
  • Islander said:

    I read an article in the Daily Mail (so it must be true!!!

    Should I take this literally ?

    At face value ?

    Is this a factual statement ?

    Or is this irony?

    Or sarcasm ?

    Is it a joke ?

    What was the intention of this statement ?

    Why did the person make such a statement ?

    What does it mean ?

    I can never tell.

    I am never sure.

    I struggle with such ambiguity.

    Even though I myself use such devices and understand them in theory.

    It baffles my brain in practice when I see it or hear it.

    Why must it be true?

    If it is irony why the opposite ?

    When I see such a statement I instantly see multiple meanings, and get confused.

    My brain freezes, I have to compute a response; do I take it seriously which leads to other questions, or do I laugh ? If I laugh am I being appropriate or am I misunderstanding the situation ? And on and on go the cognitions. By then I can no longer respond spontaneously. By then the conversation has moved on and I am lost.

    And if it is in a job interview then the employer has by this time decided in their mind not to hire me because my vacant stare and poker face has put them off.

    [/quote]

    Me too, sometimes.

    In this case though and it's true for any tabloid newspaper that the story can't really be trusted. Tabloids have a habit of picking up on a half truth and running away with it in usually the wrong direction.

    Irony I think is the use of the phrase in this instance.

Reply
  • Islander said:

    I read an article in the Daily Mail (so it must be true!!!

    Should I take this literally ?

    At face value ?

    Is this a factual statement ?

    Or is this irony?

    Or sarcasm ?

    Is it a joke ?

    What was the intention of this statement ?

    Why did the person make such a statement ?

    What does it mean ?

    I can never tell.

    I am never sure.

    I struggle with such ambiguity.

    Even though I myself use such devices and understand them in theory.

    It baffles my brain in practice when I see it or hear it.

    Why must it be true?

    If it is irony why the opposite ?

    When I see such a statement I instantly see multiple meanings, and get confused.

    My brain freezes, I have to compute a response; do I take it seriously which leads to other questions, or do I laugh ? If I laugh am I being appropriate or am I misunderstanding the situation ? And on and on go the cognitions. By then I can no longer respond spontaneously. By then the conversation has moved on and I am lost.

    And if it is in a job interview then the employer has by this time decided in their mind not to hire me because my vacant stare and poker face has put them off.

    [/quote]

    Me too, sometimes.

    In this case though and it's true for any tabloid newspaper that the story can't really be trusted. Tabloids have a habit of picking up on a half truth and running away with it in usually the wrong direction.

    Irony I think is the use of the phrase in this instance.

Children
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