Published on 12, July, 2020
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So I wonder, if using oxytocin in this way will actually lead to an even more intense meltdown if for any reason it is withdrawn or unavailable?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
The use of oxytocin looks to be a novel area in the treatment of certain aspects of autism. I decided not to read the daily mail article, but I did find that there may be some evidence in the use of this chemical in treatment of anxiety.
I do recall the alleged use of oxytocin to attempt to make people more trusting (I believe it was used as an aerosol), but I don't think there was any conclusive evidence of its effectiveness.
Regardless, while I greatly doubt it could be a mireacle treatment, it may (eventaully) be useful for those with severe anxiety around others (and are diagnosed both with autism and a particular genetic predisposition) or feel they are unable to communicate or interpret others / their intentions. Note: I base this entirely on my limited understanding of how oxytocin probably works, and it should be recognised that this is quite a new treatment with only small-scale limited trials currently undertaken (as far as I've been able to find).
Islander said:I read an article in the Daily Mail (so it must be true!!!)
I read an article in the Daily Mail (so it must be true!!!)
As for this, I feel that in order to understand it, you must know and agree with the common consensus that the Daily Mail occasionally publishes stories that produce a good headline without properly researching them.
I suppose by that standard, it could equally be written:
"...I read an article in (XXDaily NewspaperXX), so it must be true!".