Asperger syndrome in adults: symptoms, causes and treatment.

A syndrome commonly associated with childhood, but which should also be treated in adulthood.

Asperger's syndrome. Leaving aside a well-known character from a popular American sitcom, if we take into account that we are dealing with an alteration linked to autism (although with normative or even higher intelligence), probably the first thing we imagine when we hear this name will be a child with a series of problems linked to literalism, perseveration and fixation on certain subjects and problems of socialization and communication.

However, the child we have in mind will not be a child forever: with the passage of time he or she will grow up and eventually become an adult.. And in this vital stage the person is also going to see and face new realities and challenges, at the same time that, as it happens to all of us, the growth of the subject itself involves some changes in their way of seeing, thinking and living.

What is Asperger syndrome in adults like? Let's take a look at it in this article.

Asperger syndrome: what are we dealing with?

Before going directly into the subject, it may be useful to do a little review of what Asperger syndrome is and what kind of problems or difficulties it involves.

Asperger syndrome is one of the neurodevelopmental disorders which is characterized by the presence of great difficulties in communication and socialization, together with difficulties in coping with changes and socialization.It is characterized by the presence of great difficulties in communication and socialization, together with difficulties in coping with change and the existence of restricted and rigid behavioral patterns and interests. This syndrome is usually diagnosed around seven years of age or even in adolescence. Although there may be earlier signs, it is usually not until evolutionary development makes us relate to our fellow human beings in a fluid way that such problems begin to be seen.

These people have great difficulty in putting themselves in the place of others and feeling empathy, as well as guessing or interpreting the mental state of others.They have great difficulty in guessing or interpreting the mental state of others from their behavior or words. In this sense it is usual that it is difficult for them to understand why others act as they do. They also have difficulty interpreting gestures, looks and symbolic elements. They are deeply literal and have trouble understanding language in a figurative sense. This is why it is difficult for them to understand many expressions, sayings, idioms or jokes. They also present problems in pragmatic language, that is, using certain languages and ways of expressing themselves depending on the context.

Difficulties in socializing

One of the most characteristic elements is the presence of problems when interacting with their peers and the limitation of their social life, with a high degree of reserve and difficulty in relating to others. In spite of this, they generally do have interest and desire to relate and bond with others. There is also a tendency to need their own personal space and to isolate themselves when they feel unwell.. It is common for them to be joined in their thoughts. It is usual that they do not look at the eyes and that they maintain a neutral facial expression, since they can also have difficulties to express their own emotions.

Generally the level of intelligence of these people is in the population average, and sometimes even above. Behaviorally they tend to be very formal (sometimes they have even been considered pedantic) and usually have a large and flowery vocabulary. It also highlights the fact that they tend to have repetitive and constant interests, of which they can become great experts.of which they can become great experts. In addition, another common element is the difficulty to face changes: they need a routine life to feel secure and calm.

Motor clumsiness

Another common element in people with Asperger's is the presence of motor clumsiness, together with occasional stereotyped movements which they use as a method of reassurance. Finally, it has been observed that they are sometimes hypersensitive to some types of stimulation, such as sound, light or smell.

Although they can lead a normative and autonomous life, the characteristics of this syndrome mean that sufferers may have difficulties in their daily lives, especially when relating to others (both at the socio-relational, academic and even occupational levels).

Asperger's in adults

As we have said, and taking into account that it is a neurodevelopmental disorder, Asperger syndrome is usually thought of as a child's problem. However, as they grow older and reach adulthood the problems and symptoms may be greatly reduced in some aspects while others are modified or even added.

Specifically, in adult Asperger's syndrome, problems in relating to and communicating fluently with others are usually maintained.. There may be difficulties in starting a conversation or meeting someone new. In this sense it is possible that there are difficulties at the time of finding a partner or friends, and even that it is thought that he/she despises or that he/she does not want contact with others. Of particular importance here is the existence of a very low level of empathy or the ability to understand the behavior and emotions of others.

A certain cognitive bias can also be seen, aimed at trying to favor themselves. Not because of selfishness per se, but because of the fact of not understanding the needs of the other or not understanding why the other's needs may be as or more important than one's own (remember that one of the symptoms mentioned above was the absence or presence of empathy difficulties).

If the problem has been detected in previous life phases, it is possible that the difficulties in understanding emotions and even figurative use of language have improved compared to those that a child would have, although some difficulty usually persists. The subject has probably had to learn mentally or cognitively to react emotionally. Spontaneity is also usually minimal.

At the work level these difficulties can have a negative effect, something that at the work level can lead to conflicts with colleagues, subordinates or superiors. Teamwork can be a big problem.. In spite of this, and especially if they manage to perform a job that is part of one of their interests, they can show high capacity and performance.

Rigid and stereotyped behaviors can reach obsessive levels and absorb much of the person's time. Behavior may be extravagant and their language monotonous and excessively formal and grandiloquent. They can be extremely sincere, to the point of appearing cruel. They also tend to acquire a great perfectionism, in addition to being extremely rational.

The person with Asperger's may have trouble forming his or her own identity.. On an emotional level, it is not uncommon for adults with Asperger's to come to see themselves as peculiar and even odd compared to others. This can lead to self-loathing, depression and problems such as anxiety due to the perception of differences from others.

When the diagnosis is made in adulthood

We have been seeing what Asperger syndrome is like in adults and what characteristics it has. But in addition to what has been mentioned so far, it is necessary to take into account that Asperger's syndrome is not always detected in childhood, but sometimes it is detected for the first time when the subject is an adult. And it is not that the syndrome appears suddenly: that person has had Asperger's all his life. But sometimes the symptomatology has been associated with a character or way of being of the person, it has been associated with another problem (in some cases with unique characteristics it may have been confused with schizophrenia, for example) or it has simply gone unnoticed.

These cases, who may even come for consultation themselves after having read or seen something about the syndrome that they suddenly realize is what is happening to them, have lived a life in which their difficulties have probably not been understood. In this sense they may have developed a high degree of isolation, been misunderstood or even rejected by what other people may have thought was coldness or even cruelty (when in fact it may have been the product of misunderstanding), and have had difficulties academically and at work as well as socially.

A good diagnosis can lead to a better understanding of some of the situations that the person may experience, to a greater awareness of the environment (for example, difficulties in figurative language or reading emotions) or even to work at the level of therapy and education with procedures aimed at improving their ability to understand what is happening in the environment. In any case it is also possible to work on it as an adult, although normally if it is detected in childhood it may be easier to treat possible problems..

Dealing with Asperger's in adults

Asperger's is a condition that does not have any kind of "curative" treatment, and in fact what is treatable is the presence of possible difficulties derived from this condition. However, it is possible to use different it is possible to use different treatments to favor their social functioning and to diminish possible problems.. Treatment is usually multidisciplinary, and may include psychologists, psychiatrists, occupational therapists, speech therapists or social educators among others.

Mostly we are facing a psychoeducational intervention, in which the patient is gradually taught to identify his own and other people's emotions, to manage his own emotions or to improve social skills. Training communication skills is also useful. It may also be useful to resort to psychotherapy to alleviate possible depressive or anxious problems, in addition to trying to combat frequently used cognitive biases that make day-to-day life or social participation difficult (for example, the feeling of being different or strange).

Speech therapy may also be recommended to improve fluency, rhythm and tone, as well as regular exercise to improve mobility and reduce motor clumsiness. If there is a partner, it may be helpful to work on aspects such as communication with the partner. It may also be helpful to work on communication and transmission of affection towards the children, through different techniques and psychoeducation.