Autism is a condition of a person who is estranged from the world that is familiar to us. This phenomenon has not been fully studied, hence the problems with the treatment of the disease. Unfortunately, today there are no methods and drugs that are guaranteed to relieve the disease. However, there is no need to give up, because there have been cases when adult autism has been significantly reduced. Thanks to this, the hope is warming that long-term psychological work with the patient will not be in vain.
Terminology
First, let's talk about the concept of autism, what it means. It is worth noting that there are several basic explanations. In general terms, this is a psychological disorder caused by improper development of the brain. As a result, it becomes difficult for a person to contact with other people, and limited interests are manifested. The first symptoms are detected at the age of 3-4 years, and are most pronounced in adults. Autism as a medical pathology is not yet fully understood. In fact, only one thing is known - these are disorders in the area of the brain.
There have been cases in history when a person managed to completely get rid of pathology. This happened if the disease was found in early childhood, and immediately started treatment. But in the vast majority of situations, autism remains with the patient for life. According to one version, the disease is an abnormal development of the central nervous system, expressed in various forms.
What causes the pathology?
The possible causes of the onset and development of the disease are many. In medicine, they are divided into two groups: primary and acquired. In the first case, disorders occur at the stage of brain formation in the first days of life. It is logical that genetic and neuronal factors prevail here. Many researchers agree that adult autism often results from exposure to acquired causes. Among them are:
- malnutrition;
- the presence of diseases of an infectious nature;
- poisoning by heavy metals, solvents, phenols, fuel exhausts, etc .;
- bad habits like alcohol, cigarettes and drugs;
- depression, stress, emotional explosion, psychological problems.
In addition to the above reasons, one can note the long-term effect of one factor, in most cases psychological. For example, being alone for a long time, a person loses the need to interact with other people. Accordingly, there are violations in the communication apparatus, increased irritability. Depression of a chronic type has a strong effect on the nervous system and can cause pathology.
Signs of Autism in Adults
As already noted, symptoms most often begin to be expressed already in childhood. Parents, for their part, should devote more time to the baby and carefully monitor its behavior. In this article we will talk about signs of autism in adult women and men:
- Pointless, random movements of the arms, head, and other parts of the body.
- The patient invents rules for himself and clearly follows them. For example, it arranges things strictly in a certain order.
- Increased irritability and the manifestation of aggression to any changes in the environment familiar to him. For example, moving furniture in a room.
- Strict adherence to certain regimes and routines.
- The patient often repeats actions, sees only one direction.
- Sometimes there is an excessively high level of activity, reaching insanity, the patient can easily bite or hit himself.
Of course, such symptoms can be observed in a completely healthy person. But here we are talking about pronounced, permanent signs. And this is the first alarm bell.
Additional manifestations of the disease
Specialists are actively studying this problem, and for a long time they monitor patients. As a result of studies, additional symptoms of autism in adults were identified:
- almost all patients with pathology have a low level of intelligence;
- seizures of a different nature are observed in a quarter of patients;
- a person with autism cannot concentrate for a long time, lack of perseverance;
- unjustified outbursts of anger usually arise as a result of an attempt to explain something or a misunderstanding of the interlocutor's arguments;
- violation of the usual diet, lack of appetite, the requirement of the same type of diet, the same arrangement of plates and other utensils;
- sleep disturbances, most often expressed in insomnia, that is, a person falls asleep for a long time, gets up in the middle of the night, wakes up too early, etc.
Classification
There are several varieties of classifications of autism, the most accurate of which is considered a variety in strength and quality. It is characteristic of the syndrome of early childhood illness. Forms of autism in adults with varying severity of pathology:
- The first group is represented by patients who do not interact with other people and the outside world. This type of disease is not treatable.
- The second group includes patients who talk with people in an incomprehensible way to others. However, the patient himself understands everything perfectly, is quite aggressive, there is no desire to eat and sleep.
- The third group is represented by people who refuse to accept the norms and rules of society, they act according to their own standards.
- The fourth group consists of those who cannot cope with problems on their own, are too touchy.
- The fifth group includes people with higher than average intelligence, despite the pronounced symptoms of autism. An adult is usually able to reach great heights in the main activity.
Diagnosis of the disease
It is quite difficult to make a correct diagnosis in such a situation. A thorough study of patient behavior is required. According to modern standards, adult autism can be diagnosed only if at least six distinct symptoms are present at the same time. Moreover, two of them should relate to social interaction and limited behavior.
Qualified specialists for a certain time observe the patient, making the necessary notes. To establish the severity of the development of pathology, doctors are guided by the most important criteria.
Behavioral differences
Experienced specialists note that patients have a different reaction to irritating factors. In most cases, there is a restrained facial expression, lack of etiquette, lack of understanding of speech and limited gestures. Patients behave strangely: either they come too close and will stare intently into the interlocutor’s eyes, then they avoid meeting with their eyes and move to a safe distance.
Autism in an adult woman or man is characterized by a lack of feelings and emotions expressed by other people. A mentally ill person can harm others without realizing it.
Relationship problem
Loneliness is one of the main companions of a mentally unhealthy person. They are limited in communication, cannot be friends and love. Often, patients cannot build normal relationships with each other, not to mention the average person.
The only people they are attached to are mother and father. Only with them do they come into contact because it is difficult for them to form new social interactions. Patients have a strong attachment to their home and things located there. People with autism live in their own small world, trying to isolate themselves from their surroundings. Patients do not want to leave the familiar place in which they live daily for many years.
Patients do not have a sense of self-preservation, often in difficult situations they behave absolutely calmly, since they cannot assess the degree of danger. In similar cases, a healthy person will be nervous and look for a way out. The only thing that patients fear is to lose touch with their own world.
Mild autism in adults
There are cases when a pathology in a person is present, but is expressed to a lesser extent. The patient can interact with the surrounding society, establish contact with other people. Mental development does not reach a normal level a little, but this does not prevent them from living.
With mild autism in adults, a person can even get a job consisting in performing the same actions and not requiring professional qualifications. It is worth noting that such a pathology is rare. Only one out of ten people has a chance of an independent life and can do without the custody of their immediate family.
Pathology treatment
In most cases, therapy consists in the development of certain reactions. Specialists teach the patient to live in harmony with their world and incorporate it into the environment. Autism in adults is treated by a professional in the field of psychology. Often, a method of teaching a specialty that does not require accelerated thinking is used.
Quite effective way are group therapy sessions. Indeed, on a real example of other patients, you can exchange the necessary experience that will help in the treatment. Patients at these receptions share their experiences, but action must be delicate. It is important to enter the trust of the patient, which is very difficult to do.
As for drug treatment, it is worth noting that it is practically not used. Medicines are prescribed only in exceptional cases, when the patient behaves aggressively. Usually prescribed psychotropic drugs that give their effect.
Conclusion
It must be said that the behavior of the next of kin with the patient is of great importance. Often, they need psychological help, because it is severe stress. Do not give up, there have been cases of normalization of communication and joining people with autism in society. The main thing is constant support and help to the patient so that he can feel safe. Psychology is a delicate matter, so you need to perform actions very carefully. Gradually, in small steps you can achieve a positive result. Do not be ashamed to call for the help of a qualified professional, because we are talking about the health of a loved one.