I AM CONDUCTING AN INTERVIEW WITH AUTISM SPEAKS

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Thanks for the clarification; in light that it is considered a potential useful therapy for Autism, in research at Harvard, I find it strange that the site takes offense at a discussion of the therapy, but as is the case of this site, they are a private one, and their rules are their business; members are guests there, as they are here.

I don't know about TMS therapy, but I do well on Adderall and Citalopram.

Oooooo...I reckon I could fly pretty high on Adderall myself, but, sadly, I do not have the requisite ADHD dx ...no wonder you are so exciteable!

Citalopram? Pretty addictive stuff isn't it? At least for an SSRI...can't comment on them, they don't agree with me... so whatever benefit others derive from them must feel a lot different to the way they affect me.

Just out of curiosity, have you ever sampled the world, as an adult, drug free?

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation is something of a modern substitute for electroconvulsive therapy, and probably just as useless. Not generally very well thought of, probably with cause, certainly overpriced (like who CARES if it works if they can charge some sucker $600 an hour for it??)

But the nature the therapy itself isn't as important as the fact of hyping it, when not hyping his book (that's in the members only section too before there are any misunderstandings) . When you come into a discussion forum just to hype something that's important to you it's like going to a party just to sell insurance...very tacky, and, ultimately, all about using people, which they have every right and reason to object to.

I don't do well unmedicated.

(Must make a note to try that on my Doctor over the Adderall. )

In what way don't you do well?

How long have you tried it for?

(Sorry if that sounds censorious in any way, it's not, I just find it incredibly sad that a bright, attractive, young man from a secure, loving, home cannot do well enough to function without drugs.)

I don't see it too unusual for an autistic person to enter into a discussion forum to hype something that is important to them. I remember when I bought my house, and was excited about putting grass down, I got interested in it and talked about it, at length at work. I was hyped about it, but as you can probably imagine, buying sod and laying it, was not too interesting for those that already had grass.

I didn't even notice I was doing it until later when someone commented they had heard alot about my grass. I probably did sound like a grass sales person, but it was not my intention to sell it. TMJ is much more of an interesting subject, I think, as well as a book about an individuals life with Autism, both relevant issues to autism that were accepted well, on this site. Expressing my interest in grass made me feel great, but I doubt others felt nearly the same excitement that I did.

Just for clarification Citalopram is not an addictive prescription drug. In my opinion there is nothing sad about a person that takes prescription drugs as prescribed by a Doctor, as long as they help the condition they are prescribed for.

In fact, Tambourine man is fortunate there is a prescription drug that helps whatever condition it is that the drugs are prescribed for. Not everyone, is that fortunate, or has access to the medical help they need.

TMS has helped some patients, that can afford it, find relief from Major depression, that have not found relief from any type of medication. It is a much better alternative than electro-shock therapy as a last resort therapy.

All depends on whether you equate SSRI cessation syndrome with addiction or not, a lot of people do, and I am one of them, particularly as related to a young person. Citalopram has particularly severe withdrawal symptoms.

With medication, I understand that's the main way to handle it. If something is working, roll with it. As well as having a doctor a person can halfway talk with.

And I'm glad these two work for you.

Medication has saved my life. Things were very rough for awhile. Tomorrow is my 25 birthday. I never thought I'd make it this long.

If you don't need medication, then I congratulate you - don't take it.

Happy Birthday in advance!! !

I understand that as your personal perspective as well as others, but from a medical perspective the drug is considered neither addictive or an SSRI drug with severe withdrawal symptoms.

I would agree that SSRI cessation syndrome as reported and studied is a severe syndrome that some experience when they stop taking SSRI drugs, and don't see it as unreasonable to suggest that it is a type of addiction, but studies indicate that a minority of people that take the drugs experience severe withdrawal symptoms.

SSRI discontinuation syndrome can be avoided by switching to an SSRI with a particulary long half life (Prozac is often used) and gradually tapering. You take even take doses in syrup form for the most gradual effect.

I personally do not care if I am dependent on model airplane glue if it genuinely improves my life. The medications I take have made me a dramatically happier, more stable and more productive person. They help with my anxiety, hyperactivity, impulsivity and sensory integration issues.

I have no intention of "just saying no" to a better.

Happy Birthday, and many more happy ones to follow for you. And yes, by all means survival is key. What works for some doesn't work for others, but in your case it seems you have found the right mix.

My addiction in life was exercise and playing music, nothing else worked for me, a trillion dollars wouldn't have made a difference, but what worked, worked, and I stuck with it. It truly gave me life; made me feel human.

Writing is a great creative outlet, doesn't matter if you ever make a dime from doing it, it makes one's mind and solidarity in self stronger. You are fortunate to have that gift.

I didn't have that creative spark in music until late in life; before that I depended on notes from others. Creativity is the greatest gift of all I think, it allows us experiences in life that our ancestors could not have dreamed of. Some of the smallest gifts that come from it may seem insignificant at the time they are made, but the eventual results can be life changers for some.

In college, I was naive, but I wanted this thing called creativity; in fact I must of checked out a famous book about Creativity, a hundred times, with intent on finishing the book, and finding this thing called creativity. I never finished the book, nor found creativity. Eventually it found me 20 years later with music, truly a gift, have no idea where it came from, not at all associated with the logical constructs that had ruled my life.

At 25, you are fortunate to have that gift. Enjoy!

I wouldn't put it as strongly as "avoided", more like evaded, particularly where the withdrawals are as strong as with Citalopram...and there are some unappealing side effects from the point of view of a young man too...to me it is just very sad, that's all.

Still I am sure the Adderall helps no end with your ADHD?

I haven't experienced any negative side effects. The dependency is, of course, cause for some concern, but my anxiety, obsessiveness and racing thoughts were really out of hand before Citalopram.

Ultimately, with any psych meds, you have to weigh the benefits against the risks.

I'm sorry your sad, but I'm happy... and I don't no you. Don't be sad for me. Be happy that I'm doing well.