Thursday, May 10, 2012

Evolved Aspie Problems


            As an "evolved" aspie who has worked on myself for a long period of time to "fit in" and not seem "out of place", I often have run into the same problem. No matter how good your " neurotypical " act gets (and mine is darn good)...it still sends up red flags. And when you add an accidentally menacing look the results are not good.

            I get security called on me, or employees told to watch me (and pretend to have a conversation near me while watching me), or I get asked by a cop to search my car on a routine traffic stop, or even better a cop will pull me over, ask why I'm acting suspicious, find out my record is clean, and yell at me for having acted suspicious.

            There are a few theories on why this happens, and even some recent findings. Humans subconsciously mimic each other, and if someone doesn't mimic back it sends out "creepy" vibes. Also the lack of eye contact (or too much eye contact) makes people wary of us.  Aspies are different enough to raise red flags, but normal enough for them not to be forgiven.

            And when I explain this to friends and family by saying "People who have Aspergers are often perceived as dangerous, creepy, or up to no good by strangers, police, teachers and other peoples parents." And I always hear back "They don't know that you have it." and I give them a look that informs them of the stupidity of such a statement.

            It's not that they know it by name, and say "hey, that guy has Aspergers...let's fear him." There is something going on subconsciously that makes people distrust us. And I'm smart enough to know it, and even know why. But there are some things you can't just "learn" to imitate. Luckily I decided to take this GABA Plus supplement, and have had some nice effects (Please read other blog)

            And tonight I decided to test out the effect I have on people now that the supplement has made me more focused, and aware. So I went late at night through the Starbucks drive-through, and the Taco Bell drive through. It has definitely gotten easier to talk to people, and they seem to even respond to me better.

            At Starbucks I ordered four drinks for my brother and his friends, and it took a while, so the guy apologized, and I said "Don't worry bro, I know it's just you in there, and you can only make two at a time." and he responded well to me being understanding (where usually I would be misunderstood, or they would read too far into it.)

            And at Taco Bell I ordered my usual, and pulled up and gave him my money, and he smiled at me, and asked if I wanted any sauce, and I politely declined. And in both cases we closed the conversation with "thanks man, have a nice night" and both parties seemed to mean it.
           
            I'm not sure exactly how as of now, but I know something has changed that made them act differently. My thoughts are that before I took the supplement I was often tired looking, (and had the aforementioned aspie problems, including accidentally seeming menacing)  And I did not respond the expected way (as most people know we rarely do.)
             
            In any case, I hope that tonight was not just a fluke, and I start seeing a difference in everyday things like that. You can only go so long feeling like an outsider, a creep, or a monster. Especially when you see your self as a kind, caring, good-guy who would more than likely be the protector of the people around you...you know, when the real bad-guys show up.

-ThatOneWolf

           

Monday, May 7, 2012

Using GABA Supplement for Aspergers


I have Aspergers syndrome, and I heard a supplement called GABA had some effects on aspie problems. So I decided to try it. There were several different varieties online but since patience is not my favorite virtue I went to vitamin world. There I found "GABA Plus" which also has Niacin, and Inositol in it. all of which have varied medical benefits.
 supplement
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Increase in the level of Human Growth Hormones (HGH)
Induces relaxation and sleep
Reduces muscle tension
Reduces stress, anxiety and depression
Promotes well being

GABA is produced in the human brain and functions as a balancer, maintains balance between the body and the mind in states of excitation. GABA supplement aids several complications including Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder or ADHD, hypertension or HBP, obesity, insomnia, alcoholism and many more. It is also a great help in treating mental blocks.

GABA supplements are helpful for any active individuals, bodybuilders and athletes. They help in enhancing the body’s muscle mass, which is GABA’s conductive anabolic property and its lipotropic property helps in fat reduction and weight loss programs, simultaneously.

High Cholesterol, Atherosclerosis and Heart Disease, Diabetes, Osteoarthritis, Alzheimer's disease, Cataracts, Skin conditions, Researchers are also studying the use of vitamin B3 in treating ADHD, migraines, dizziness, depression, motion sickness, and alcohol dependence.

 is used for diabetic nerve pain, panic disorder, high cholesterol, insomnia, cancer, depression, schizophrenia, Alzheimer’s disease, attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism, promoting hair growth, a skin disorder called psoriasis, and treating side effects of medical treatment with lithium.

Here is the brand I've been using that includes all 3.
http://www.vitaminworld.com/b-vitamins-803/gaba-plus-caps-008906
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So here is my one week, day by day, play by play of the results of taking this supplement.

Day One:
Within 30 minutes of taking it I started feeling calmer and slightly more positive. I was out in public and wasn't too bothered by it.

Day Two:
Mind is clearer, feeling positive, and handling certain situations better. Best of all I still feel like me. By the end of day two. My visual focus is much more clear, and I feel like I'm inside my body instead of inside my head. Also I'm feeling "sleepy" at night like I'm supposed to for the first time in a while.

Day Three:
It's easier to be "in the moment" and still feel positive even though I'm running into problems. also senses work better. Eating a corn beef and pastrami sandwich at Jason's Deli. I taste more flavors at once and smell and see better. Came home and played "Dead Nation" a 2 player high pressure zombie game for ps3 (It can get very overwhelming) I managed to focus through the ambushes where before, me and my friend would get flustered at times and get killed.

(This is also the day I gave him to gaba's to try and he liked it so much we went and got him a bottle after Jason's.) By the end of the day I noticed my eyes are able to switch focus near and far quickly, I was able to switch between the etchings of stars on window glass, and the tv's at the bar way behind it very quickly. Also, just noticed I was walking standing up straight. Weird. Sleepy when I'm supposed to be. Calm, positive, more self-aware, sensing and processing more information.

Day Four:
Went to sleep at 12am an woke at 630am fully rested and can't make myself go back to sleep which is completely out of character. Also falling asleep last night was even easier because my muscles are way less tense. I had less pain at night, and when I breathed in and out I could sense calm instead of stress. I decided today to try my kung-fu and see how different I was. I was much faster, and in control. I was also able to switch between movements faster, and think of what to do next several steps ahead of time.

Day Five:
Went to Galveston home tour with my girlfriend, and I can remember the whole day. Dealt with people for hours at a time, but not emotionally drained. Finally feel like I'm not missing out on memories because I'm able to watch everything, and interact with it more freely. Came home and fixed some major problems at home which should've stressed me out. But when I was done and my girlfriend started massaging my shoulder blades they just moved around loosely because my muscles are so loose. Usually my entire back is all in knots.

Day Six:
I have never felt this aware, positive, and in control of myself than on this supplement. I no longer feel depressed a lot of the time, my illogical fears just don't seem to affect me. I'm able to talk to people and respond to them better. Eye contact comes easier, my muscles no longer hurt, and I don't feel tense. And I no longer have random aches and pains. I no longer feel like I'm not on my game, or that my vision has blinders on the sides where I can only focus on what's in front of me.

Verdict:
As an aspie this supplement has helped me with quite a lot of problems that have haunted me for a while. I feel more alive, and in control of my thoughts and actions. I'm less forgetful, and have better access to my vocabulary where I was recently coming up short I'm able to walk in the "human world" and talk with various people, and not feel threatened and easily misunderstood. I did not expect the added benefits of stress relief, muscle tension, and repair, pain relief, physical speed increase, and various other things.

I would definitely suggest even a 1 month trial to see what it can do for you. The Vitamin World GABA Plus supplement cost $16-$20 for 50 days worth if your taking two a day. Considering the benefits I've received from this supplement I hope it helps other people as well. I have my sister, and a close friend of mine on it, and both of them were hooked on the first try.


UPDATE:7/20/2012

I started taking the GABA supplement May 1st, it is now July 20th almost 4 months later.
I have never felt better than I do now. On another note there are two new amazing discoveries.

1: Several old severe injuries have been healing during the night. 
   A: A torn muscle that never healed from 2 years back decided to un-knott and heal up completly.
   B: A dislocated big toe from 3 years back that never healed is now stronger than ever.
   C: Another dislocated digit that had a tendon snap is now stronger, and I believe the tendon is back.

2: And I am ecstatic about this one. Male pattern baldness runs in my family, and due to the stress over the years had sped up pretty bad. Here we are 4 months in and not only have the patches in my facial hair filled in (unrelated, not sure what the original problem was) but every follicle on my head is now growing a new hair. They come in completely see through, and then end up filling in the normal color.

I'll update again if I find anything else. For the record this is the brand I have been using.
http://www.vitaminworld.com/b-vitamins-803/gaba-plus-caps-008906