Dealing with training w/ mental condition

[Jean Poutine]

'sup.

I have Asperger's Syndrome and it was clinically diagnosed when I was 16/17. I am now on antidepressants to alleviate anxiety levels (brought because I suck with people), and provided that I take my pills, my anxiety level is so ridiculously low that I can basically function almost like a member of society.

I've started doing Judo about when I started taking the medication and I'm psyched because it is not something I would've dared to do before. I would've liked chopping my own balls off with a dulled knife better than do something with the least amount of societal contact.

I forgot a pill this morning. The particular antidepressant I take doesn't last long in the body and you pretty much know when you've forgot one. I also went to Judo practice and I felt anxiety just being there the likes of which I haven't felt in months. The natural reaction to this being closing down almost completely. I still went through the class but I've been very noticeably "different" and had numerous partners comment on the fact.

So basically they've seen my hidden side.

This has brought some debate over an "artificial paradise" in my head and I've wondered if I shouldn't tell my psychiatrist to ween me off the drug and just accept myself with my condition and my anxiety and learn to deal with it. Antidepressants being the only drug I've ever been addicted to (let's face it), even counting nicotine and caffeine. I do not like the prospect of living my life through an artificial means.

To me it's like if I would've been dead stoned every day. I just didn't notice it.

Now assuming that I layer off the antidepressants - my training mates will undoubtably notice that something feels "different", like when I forgot my pill. I'm wondering about the course of action to take over this. I don't owe them anything but I don't really want them to be concerned.

If I stop taking the pill I obviously won't be as open as I've been before. I'll laugh much less, I'll talk much less and I'll be overall much meaner because my anxiety will probably take the better of me until I feel comfortable.

My dilemma now being : should I tell them? Should I tell each class I am in where I attend college? Should I let everyone who matter know that i'm autistic?

Why don't you help me clear this up?

[byee]

Thanks for the easy questions!

You should continue taking the anti depressants because they work (thankfully), and allow you to resume your regularly scheduled life without interruption. You're lucky that there's something out there that allows you to do this, many don't have this good fortune. The fact that it's a pill should really be meaningless. When I'm thirsty after a marathon (run), I gladly drink lots of water. Same thing. Well, almost, but you get the point. You need something, you take it. Real simple, don't get too far into the 'artificiality' of the medication. What's really 'artificial' is the underlying condition. The pills take that away, they're the 'normalizer'.

As for telling others, I'd suggest you treat your condition as you would any other bit of info about yoruself. So, depending on the audience/relationship, you can decide to disclose this if you wish, if it meets some need you have. Or you can choose not to. As long as it's not something that's obvious, you have the choice, based on what your needs are at the moment or with that particular person.

[Requin]

I think this should go somewhere else, you might get more answers that way.

Ummm, moving to somewhere.

[Triceratops]

:arrow: Moving to Mental Illnesses.

[INFERNO]

I would suggest to stay on the medications. You stated that you're able to do certain activities that you wouldn't have been able to do as effectively when you're off the medications. I would suggest to stay on them, although, you can talk to your psychiatrist about the dosages if you want.

As for telling others, universities and colleges have a place along the lines of a disability center. You don't need to tell every single person about your condition, however, if you, your parents (optional because you're 18) and psychiatrist feel that your condition greatly impairs your ability to learn and function, even when medicated, then I would consider telling the disability center. Since the anxiety and such can be easily controlled, I see no reason to do so. As for the autism, that is also up to you, psychiatrist and parents.

But, do bear in mind that there tends to be a negative stereotype associated with mental disorders. For autism it may be less, however, do bear in mind that the general population is more comfortable with physical disorders than mental disorders. Something like autism though I assume would get a great deal of sympathy. Something like depression, being male, you may get some, as research in social psychology has shown that atypical psychopathology for males (i.e. depression) generates more sympathy than a typical psychopathology for males (i.e. substance abuse). There's much more to it than simply that but to save me reciting the study, that is the basic back and bones.