Children with Aspergers Disorder face challenges that
affect their daily life, their communication with
others, and their self-esteem.
Some children as they
approach adolescence and find themselves faced with
increased social interaction, may experience anxiety and
depression.
Children with Aspergers Disorder have even been
described to have social phobias.
They are intelligent and recognize their inability to
interact with others in social situations, making those
situations seem even more threatening.
The
child with Aspergers Disorder also has the inability to
communicate their feelings of anxiety or distress,
further challenging the ability to diagnose or
understand their moods.
Because
of their lack of facial expression or body language,
they may not even appear to be depressed.
The
danger is that the illness may not be recognized until
it becomes serious.
Symptoms that may increase our ability to recognize
depression in the child with Aspergers Disorder could
include; withdrawal, an increase in obsessing about a
particular object, refusal to participate in activities,
increased aggression or paranoid behaviors.
To
assist the child with Aspergers Disorder, it is
important to consult with a professional who not only
has information about the child, but also about
Aspergers Disorder.
Depression in people with Aspergers Disorder may stem
from a growing awareness of their disability or a belief
of being different from their peer group and/or an
inability to form relationships or take part in social
situations successfully.
The
child with Aspergers Disorder may also suffer depression
as a result of extreme anxiety or loneliness.
The
child with Aspergers Disorder has often experienced
bullying at the hands of others which may also
contribute to anxiety and depression.
It
is often difficult to separate symptoms of depression
from the diagnosis of Aspergers Disorder.
Common
symptoms of depression include change in appetite,
change in sleep patterns, aggression, lack of energy,
inability to concentrate.
Medication can be helpful in dealing with the symptoms
of depression, but will not alleviate the underlying
cause of depression.
The
child with Aspergers Disorder needs to be taught problem
solving skills, relaxation techniques, and skills to
recognize when their emotions are being impacted by
external events.
Maintaining optimal health is also a deterrent to
depressive symptoms or feelings of low energy or stress.
