Disorder @ MindSay

   Autism has always been a primary concern of mine after experiencing what Autism can do to people of all ages during my previous law enforcement career. This is also a very important medical condition that needs immediate attention, exposure and more support from everybody in the world. Autism is a complex developmental disability that typically appears during the first three years of life and is the result of a neurological disorder that affects the normal functioning of the brain, impacting development in the areas of social interaction and communication skills. Both children and adults with autism typically show difficulties in verbal and non-verbal communication, social interactions, and leisure or to play during activities.

   One should keep in mind however, that autism is a spectrum disorder and it affects each individual differently and at varying degrees - this is why early diagnosis is so crucial. By learning the signs, a child can begin benefiting from one of the many specialized intervention programs.

   Autism is one of five disorders that falls under the umbrella of Pervasive Developmental Disorders (PDD), a category of neurological disorders characterized by "severe and pervasive impairment in several areas of development."

The five disorders under PDD are:

• Autistic Disorder
• Asperger's Disorder
• Childhood Disintegrative Disorder (CDD)
• Rett's Disorder
• PDD-Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS)

   Each of these disorders has specific diagnostic criteria which been outlined in the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV-TR).

Prevalence of Autism

   Autism is the most common of the Pervasive Developmental Disorders, affecting an estimated 1 in 150 births (Centers for Disease Control Prevention, 2007). Roughly translated, this means as many as 1.5 million Americans today are believed to have some form of autism. And this number is on the rise.

Based on statistics from the U.S. Department of Education and other governmental agencies, autism is growing at a startling rate of 10-17 percent per year. At this rate, the ASA estimates that the prevalence of autism could reach 4 million Americans in the next decade.

   Autism knows no racial, ethnic, social boundaries, family income, lifestyle, or educational levels and can affect any family, and any child. A child or adult will generally act out emotionally when attempting to speak or in watching TV or video programs. Presently there is a world of programs actively working on Autism treatments and cures.

   And although the overall incidence of autism is consistent around the globe, it is four times more prevalent in boys than in girls.

What Parents of Children with Autism have to say ...

http://www.babybumblebee.com/autism.htm?gclid=CLidk-m4xJACFQSOFQoddl0UWQ

   I'm always interested in the lives of people who live with disorders or a handicap.  In one hand, I always want to ask each individual about what they do day to day and if they even notice it as a hinderance anymore or has everything become a second nature to them, and then again, in the other hand, I never would have the courage because I think that would be terribly cheesy and unclassy to just walk up to a person out of the blue with the intent to start asking such questions instead of creating small talk.

   My curiosity only stems because of my own disorder I've found I had recently (at least I think I have, I'll tell you why in a sec) which is depression. I don't blame many for just looking at people with depression and turning away because they don't want to be that support and or just dismissing it with the fact that they themselves have had things worse off, whatever they're depressed about isn't that bad and their overdramitizing, deal with it I am sort of attitude, etc. God knows I'm just as guilty for doing that most of the time anymore.

   But I know a lot of people who have been diagnosed with depression, and quite a few more who probably should have or at least seeked some sort of help, even it was just a stranger's ear to listen.  Then I see way too many whom I still believe think the world is ending but it isn't (course, look at my page... I may just be a hypocrite, HA!). It's really interesting though to see how it affects everyone and how they deal with it.

   I wonder about this because many wear it like a burden, taking pills and seeing a psychiatrist. Others do a regular excersise or hobby to keep them occupied, and or both.

   As I said before, I recently found out that I've been living with severe depression for the last fourteen years of my life. I found out when I was the Navy (which ended up resulting in my discharge. Least it was honorable, I guess) when out of the blue they had found a record from a hospital I had been at. The record was from a while back when I had gone to the hopsital  to see a therapist/psychiatrist or whomever after unsuccessfully cutting my wrists.  It's kind of funny looking back now because the lady whom I saw seemed to have that same dismissing look as so many have, I could only imagine she was thinking something along the lines of "Great, another one who's three month girlfriend has left, or college is so hard, etc. Whatever...".  Only after I told her the reasons did I get a wide eyed look which kind of made me happy on some sort of sick, perverted level where one could be happy that their problems in life actually shock someone else.

   Anyway, I had only wanted someone to talk with and instead she had determined it was best for me to go into a state mental institution, against my will. Luckily, she had let me make one phone call and lo and behold, my father came to get me out of there. I had never known there was a record of it though.

   So years later, I had to see the ranking Psych Officer of the base out in Japan. After a few sessions and couple of 2nd opnions from some civilian psych's, the Lt. had sat me down and let me know that I have over forty-eight symptoms of severe depression (which I can only assume is bad), and have had for quite some time, since I was about 10, give or take. The solution? A ton of pills while I went out to sea for 6 months, being restricted to the ship and then sent away for testing, again, in a mental institution, after I returned. Not really what I had in mind when it came to adventure on the high seas.  I never understood why they always wanted to send me away to a hospital, especially since I'm not a harm to anyone else nor myself since that one, really unsuccessful time, and have proven it for fourteen years!  Hell, they didn't even know about while I was in the Navy until they really found that record!

   Plus, I don't believe in taking pills which influence our emotions.  Too me, nothing sounds more mechanic and robotic as that, but that's my own opinion.  I may not be religious, but I believe that there's more to our thoughts and emotions than just chemicals, but that is another debate.

   So I've lived with this severe depression my entire life, yet never gave it a second thought. Even to this day, I never think of it as depression, more of I may just be bummed out or have had a bad day, some just worst than others. And no one is the wiser except for a handful of loved ones whom know about it.  It's just another day.

   Then again, I know of friends who have gotten "bummed" out over an issue or just time and jump at the opportunity for pills.  I guess to each their own.

   To make a long story short, in the end what I'm really trying to say is... I like potatoes! Seriously though, through all that I've been through and helped friends and strangers alike through the same situation, the best medicine out there is still a shoulder to lean on and an ear to listen, no matter whose it is.

The CHILD Disorder
by Jan Hunt and Naomi Aldort

After close observation of their own children, with a combined age of 61 years, observations of many other children in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Israel, Greece, Italy, Swiss, France, Holland, Belgium, England, Scotland, and the Bahamas, and numerous reports throughout recorded history, the authors have determined that a widely-distributed behavioral disorder has somehow been overlooked by psychiatrists. They have labeled this disorder "CHILD"1. Just like "ADD", "ADHD", and "Asperger's Syndrome", CHILD is not based on any medical evidence or test whatsoever, but it should nonetheless be a useful diagnosis for mental health professionals, school administrators, and parents.
Symptoms

Stage 1:

a.. cries when left alone at night
b.. cries when put into car seat
c.. cries when being diapered or dressed
d.. cries when hurt
e.. naps too long (or) does not nap long enough
f.. potty-training does not go smoothly
g.. poor hand-eye coordination
h.. fussy when teething
i.. clingy during times of family stress
j.. dribbling
Stage 2:

a.. tantrums when frustrated
b.. incoherent babbling
c.. climbs onto dangerous areas
d.. enters roads without looking
e.. fussy when hungry
f.. insists on favorite cup at meals
g.. refuses all vegetables
h.. clingy following a parent's return from a trip
i.. clingy following a move
j.. clingy following birth of sibling
k.. clumsiness with frequent dropping and spilling
l.. continues unwanted behavior even when told to stop
m.. punishment doesn't work
Stage 3:

a.. sudden unexpected movements
b.. irrational fears that don't respond to logic
c.. funny noises, sudden shrieks, inappropriate giggling
d.. talks to dolls and stuffed animals
e.. may have imaginary playmates
f.. fidgets when bored; unable to sit still
g.. runs and climbs; always on the go
h.. insists on wearing favorite clothing
i.. does not come promptly when called
j.. tells silly jokes
k.. embarrasses parents in public
l.. interrupts when parent is on the telephone
m.. grumpy when tired
n.. angry when losing a game
o.. dawdles when hurried
p.. fights with siblings
q.. insists on own way of doing things
r.. punishment doesn't work
Stage 4:

a.. prefers playing to doing chores
b.. stammers when nervous
c.. doesn't listen to reason
d.. selectively forgetful
e.. talks excessively (or) does not talk enough
f.. ignores direct questions
g.. sudden, energetic behavior
h.. self-centered, egocentric behavior
i.. walks away when parent lectures
j.. sullen when mistrusted
k.. forgets to say "please" and "thank you" despite repeated reminders
l.. grumpy when ill
m.. resists structured teaching; prefers own way of learning
n.. punishment doesn't work
Etiology

The causes of this disorder are not yet clear, but the authors suspect that the primary cause is premature birth, i.e. birth prior to age 20. This is probably inevitable, as a 20-year gestation would be stressful for the human female.

Prevention

This disorder is not preventable; it appears to be universal among low-age populations. However, there are several approaches that can minimize behavioral difficulties:

a.. cosleeping
b.. carrying in the first years
c.. breastfeeding with child-led weaning
d.. eye contact
e.. gentle touch and hugs
f.. respectful listening
g.. undivided attention
h.. validation of feelings
i.. empathy
j.. trust
k.. avoidance of punishment
l.. natural learning
Prognosis

The prognosis is excellent, as this disorder subsides over time, provided the preventative measures listed above are taken. Drugs are not recommended.

"While intelligent people can often simplify the complex, a fool is more likely to complicate the simple."
- Dr. Gerald Grumet

Dear Diary,

Another day. Yes, it was pretty much the same. Breakfast? Wow. I wouldn't dare! I took about 5 pills today, you know, the ones that are supposed to make you skinny. Worse was when Mum forced me to eat lunch. I had to vomit it out in the bathroom when she was in teh living room. I mean, what do you excpect me to do?? I'm 163 cm tall and i way 45 KG!!! 45!! 45!...

i don't believe teh stupid friends and family that tell em I'm skinny enough. They just want me to stay fat so that no guys like me - worse, so that NOBODY likes me! And what the hell?! I'm not sick! I'll stop right away when I get a bit skinnier. When I get that flab off my legs and my arms and ugh. I'm so fat.

 

All the models, singers, actresses... God! They are so friggin pretty! You know why? Cuz they're skinny! They have nice hip bones and you can see their shoulder bones.. If I was liek them, life would've been beautiful! Sometimes, I cannot look in teh colourful magazines anymore, comparing them to myself... But one day, I'll have those beautiful sticking-out-bones too and then it will al be perfect. Someday.

 

This was made up. But girls, trust me, it really is like that. Don't let anorexia suck you in and spit your life out.

I've often asked myself this question...

This is how it would work.  If it was possible to transport my entire mindset (all thoughts and processes) back in time to when I was six years old, the first thing I would do would be to warn my parents about the Thyroid Disorder. Either them or my childhood doctor. Secondly I would tell my parents to remove me from the Christian Academy and place me into Public School. I don't know how I would do this, but it's always been part of my dream. The entire purpose of this would be to change my future, not necessarily everyone else's. Of course there would be people I'd never of met, and things I'd never have done...but it'd be much worth it.

Now assuming that I have changed my fate enough, presumably I wouldn't have to worry about the oncoming years of weight gain, psychological and physical damage. Hopefully I would have turned out better. I wouldn't have to worry about the whole homosexuality thing, assuming by warning my parents early about the whole Thyroid and Hormone thing, it would have been corrected early on. I would have lived a normal childhood and developed normally through puberty. I'd look nicer, be healthier, have a healthy psyche. I'd be a star soccer player and have a girlfriend...

I'm sure this seems sick and demented that I have planned out an alternate life, but it sure beats all the hell I've been through....It's also a little pathetic. I don't care. I don't see myself living a better life....Compared to what I'm living now the description above sounds like an entirely different person.

I'm a drug addict. Gay. Lonely. Ugly. Pathological Liar. Atheist. Fat. Sick son of a bitch. Pretty much everything above isn't. I often fantasize about how my life could have been different. How one little thing could change everything. Would I give up everything I have now to have that life? Yes. The answer is yes; yes yes yes.

I don't want to die, I just don't want to exist anymore.