Having Asperger’s Syndrome (AS) is hard as it is. What makes it more life altering is that people with AS are more vulnerable to anxiety. The rate of anxiety is higher than those in the general population. In fact, children with AS have a 75% chance of developing severe anxiety. Oftentimes, appropriate and adequate help is not provided because children can’t express their thoughts and feelings well enough. Aside from the condition hinders the development of nonverbal communication skills, linguistic and cognitive development comes in late as well. Furthermore, people with AS experience anxiety symptoms far worse than those in the general population.
If you know someone with Asperger’s, you need to look for signs of anxiety. There is a need to treat it along with the syndrome so it will not further affect the sufferer’s quality of life. Some of the signs to look for are repetitive behavior, restricted interest, tantrums, anger management problems, rigidity, irritability, anti-social behavior, etc. The problem with these symptoms is that they may overlap those of AS. That is why anxiety itself is unnoticed and left untreated.
Management techniques recommended for anxiety in Asperger’s syndrome include medication, cognitive behavioral therapy, relaxation therapy, language therapy and sensory integration therapy.
Medication
Benzodiazepines – These drugs are often referred as tranquilizers because of their relaxing and calming effect. The effect of the drug can be felt after thirty minutes. They’re most effective during severe panic attack or anxiety episode.
Antidepressants – These are the most common drugs prescribed by psychiatrists. They help improve mood, sleep, appetite and concentration. Therapeutic response occurs within twenty-four to forty-eight hours after intake. Drugs belonging to this group are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), serotonin antagonist and reuptake inhibitors (SARIs), and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (NRIs) among others.
Buspirone – This is primarily used to treat generalized anxiety disorder. It is also used to augment the efficacy of SSRI for the treatment of depression. It does not cause sedation and is and should only be prescribed for short-term relief of anxiety symptoms.
Anxiety drugs should be taken only as the last option because it can be habit forming. Continuous relief from anxiety can be achieved without the use of drugs. Besides, they do not treat the underlying cause of anxiety. It cannot be considered at any time as a long-term solution, especially with the risk of addiction. It is best to talk to your doctor about the side effects of these drugs. Weigh the benefits and the disadvantages first before you go on popping pills.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
The cognitive part involves acquiring methods that will change old thinking patterns. The mind will be conditioned to think and respond differently from before. If anxiety in the past is heightened because we always think of the worst, here, our mind will have to learn ways on how to rationalize situations. The behavioral part is about what we do after rationalization sets in. Techniques will be taught and mostly learned through exposure to situations that trigger anxiety. It’s about facing the fear, understanding what’s happening, and applying the techniques to combat the fear. Selective ignoring, motivators, reminders, and systematic desensitization are several of the techniques taught.
Relaxation Therapy
The best forms of relaxation are deep breathing, imagery, meditation, yoga and physical exercises, such as walking, jogging or cycling.
Relaxation is about bringing balance back into your life. It does not mean complete rest like sleeping or being sedentary but actively engaging the mind to achieve a state of calm and peace. These activities help relieve tension and simultaneously relax the mind. Thirty minutes to an hour is enough to perform any of the forms mentioned above.
Language Therapy
Since linguistic skills are not fully developed in Asperger’s, it’s hard for children, most especially, to share what’s going on in their minds. They’re inability to communicate can cause anxiety due to frustration. And because nonverbal communications are also not developed, it would be tough to understand what they’re feeling through facial expressions or gestures. It’s hard to even observe it through the tone of their voice.
The language therapy involves playing and listening, paying attention, and learning verbal and non-verbal cues.
Sensory Integration Therapy
This type of therapy aims to improve the ability of the brain to process sensory information so that an individual can perform and function as normally as possible. The theory behind this is that we understand the world better by combining our senses. We respond to our environment according to what our senses perceive it to be. People with Asperger’s syndrome are not fully capable of having the appropriate response to scenarios. By exposing the patient in an environment that greatly stimulates and challenges all of his senses, it is believed that he will learn to react accordingly.
Coping with anxiety due to Asperger’s syndrome is indeed tough. Aside from learning valuable techniques, having a great support system will also help a lot. You need people by your side to bring you back on track when you feel you’re about to lose focus. On the other hand, if your child or anyone from your family is suffering from AS, you should seriously observe for anxiety symptoms. Having anxiety can definitely worsen the condition. Being there and providing the needed support can make a difference.
Ryan Rivera used to be an anxiety sufferer. Now, he is completely rid of anxiety and lives a normal life with his wife and kids. His website www.calmclinic.com features articles on anxiety and offers tips and advices on the management of anxiety.
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