Autism is a condition of a person detached from the world familiar to us. This phenomenon is not fully understood, hence the problems with the treatment of the disease. Unfortunately, today there are no methods and drugs that are guaranteed to get rid of the disease. However, there is no need to give up, because there were cases when autism in adults could be significantly reduced. Thanks to this, there is a glimmer of hope that many years of psychological work with the patient will not be in vain.
Terminology
First, let's talk about the concept of autism, what does it mean. It is worth noting that there are several main explanations. In general terms, this is a violation of a psychological nature, caused by improper development of the brain. As a result, it becomes difficult for a person to contact other people, limited interests are manifested. The first symptoms are found at the age of 3-4 years, and are most pronounced in adults. Autism as a medical pathology has not been fully studied to date. In fact, only one thing is known - these are violations in the area of \u200b\u200bthe brain.
History has beencases when it was possible to completely rid a person of pathology. This happened if the disease was found in early childhood, and treatment was immediately started. 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 pathology?
There are a lot of possible reasons for the appearance and development of the disease. 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 predominate here. Many researchers agree that autism in adults often appears as a result of exposure to acquired causes. Among them are:
- malnutrition;
- presence of infectious diseases;
- poisoning from heavy metals, solvents, phenols, fuel exhaust, etc.;
- bad habits like alcohol, cigarettes and drugs;
- depression, stress, emotional outburst, psychological problems.
In addition to the above reasons, we can note the long-term impact 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. Chronic depression has a strong impacton 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 his behavior. In this article we will talk about the signs of autism in adult women and men:
- Mindless erratic movements of hands, head and other parts of the body.
- The patient makes up the rules for himself and clearly follows them. For example, it puts things in a strictly defined order.
- Increased irritability and manifestation of aggression to any changes in his usual environment. For example, rearranging 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 he althy person. But here we are talking about pronounced, permanent signs. And this is the first wake-up call.
Additional manifestations of the disease
Specialists are actively studying this problem, and have been monitoring patients for a long time. Research has identified additional symptoms of autism in adults:
- almost all patients with pathology have a low level of intelligence;
- fits differentcharacter are observed in a quarter of patients;
- a person with autism cannot concentrate for a long time, lack of perseverance;
- unfounded outbursts of anger, usually resulting from an attempt to explain something or 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 disorders, 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 autism classifications, the most accurate of which is considered to be the variety in strength and quality. It is characteristic of the syndrome of early childhood illness. Forms of autism in adults, different in 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 has no cure.
- The second group includes patients who talk to people in a way that is incomprehensible to others. However, the patient himself understands everything perfectly, is rather 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 overly touchy.
- The fifth group includespeople who have above-average intelligence despite severe symptoms of autism. An adult is usually able to achieve great heights in the main activity.
Diagnosis of disease
It is quite difficult to make a correct diagnosis in such a situation. Careful study of the patient's behavior is required. According to modern standards, autism in adults can only be diagnosed if there are at least six pronounced signs at the same time. And two of them should be related to social interaction and limited behavior.
Skilled specialists observe the patient for a certain time, making the necessary notes. To determine the severity of the development of pathology, doctors are guided by the most important criteria.
Differences in behavior
Experienced specialists note that patients have a different reaction to irritating factors. In most cases, restrained facial expressions, lack of etiquette, incomprehension of speech and limited gesticulation are observed. Patients behave strangely: sometimes they come too close and stare intently into the eyes of the interlocutor, sometimes they avoid eye contact and retreat 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 unhe althy person. They are limited in communication, cannot be friends and love. Often, patients fail to build normal relationships with each other, let alone the average person.
The only people they are attached to are their 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 little world, trying to isolate themselves from the environment. Patients do not want to leave the familiar place in which they have lived daily for many years.
Patients do not have a sense of self-preservation, often in difficult situations they behave absolutely calmly, as they cannot assess the degree of danger. In similar cases, a he althy person will be nervous and look for a way out. The only thing patients fear is losing touch with their own world.
Mild adult autism
There are cases when a person has a pathology, but it is expressed to a lesser extent. The patient can interact with the surrounding society, establish contact with other people. Mental development is a little below the normal level, but this does not prevent them from living.
With mild autism in adults, a person can even get a job that consists of performing the same type of activity and does not require professional qualifications. It should be noted that this pathologyis rare. Only one person out of ten has a chance to live independently and can do without the care of the next of kin.
Treatment of pathology
In most cases, therapy is to develop certain reactions. Specialists teach the patient to live in harmony with their world and include it in the environment. Autism in adults is treated by a professional psychologist. Often used a method of teaching a speci alty that does not require accelerated thinking.
Group therapy sessions are quite effective. Indeed, on the real example of other patients, you can exchange the necessary experience that will help in the treatment. Patients at such receptions share their experiences, but it is necessary to act delicately. It is important to gain the confidence 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, psychotropic drugs are prescribed, which 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 a severe stress. Do not give up, there have been cases of normalization of communication and entry into the society of people with autism. The main thing is constant support and assistance to the patient so that he can feel safe. Psychology is a delicate matter, so you need to makeactions very carefully. Gradually, in small steps, you can achieve a positive result. Do not be ashamed to call a qualified professional for help, because we are talking about the he alth of a loved one.
