Nostr Web Client

Listening to the autists on 80m also suggests correlation with colorectal abnormalities.

Funny joke, but also actually true. Autistic people have much higher rates of food allergies than the general public. Especially non IGE type allergies which have very delayed reactions and the primary symptoms are GI related. Non ige allergies don't show up on allergy pin prick or blood tests. They are often undiagnosed for years or misdiagnosed as IBS, Crohn's or other GI disorders.

There is a question of correlation or causation with the allergies. My autism symptoms are worse if I've made a mistake with my food, which I think causes that question. My autism symptoms never go away no matter how clean I eat so I don't think the allergy is the cause. My guess is an unknown single mechanism is behind both. Traditional medicine is happy to label us as genetically inferior and just write it off like that rather than look for a causal link. I'm not inferior, I'm just different. Better at some things and worse at others than an average neurotypical.

As an aside, I only typically here people use "autists" if they are an asshole. I'll give you the benefit of the doubt for now.

Psychology has made such a mess of autism and ADHD diagnosis and clearly failed both groups. Most people just call themselves neurodivergent now. That doesn't come with the baggage of symptom assumptions that are false because we vary so much. You are forced to get to know the individual instead. Almost like we're regular humans that way.

Reply to this note

Please Login to reply.

Discussion

mrecheese 🧀 8mo ago

I did not know about that correlation, but the gears are turning now. It all makes a lot of sense.

Is autist a dirty word? I'm probably an asshole, but not in that particular area. I'd consider myself one of those 80m guys in any case.

Your description of yourself is also frighteningly similar to my situation. I don't know if it would be beneficial to see a doctor about it, though.

Bill Cypher 8mo ago

My experience is that the doctors were useless for a non IGE allergy. In the end I tested and diagnosed myself. I told them and they just said "OK" and added it to my chart based only on I figured it out by elimination diet and no other questions.

Here is what they will tell you to do, do it yourself and save the doctor bill. The list of common allergens is the same for both types. Start at the top of the list and do strict elimination diets for a minimum of a week for each food. Read every food label, some are easier to avoid than others. Research that allergy before the test so you know what you are looking at. For example I got tested for that lonestar tick meat allergy because I had a reaction to pepperoni. Turns out the lactic acid starter culture in some cured meats is derived from milk. Keep a food and symptom journal. If you are systematic you can do this by yourself. Simple but maybe not easy.

mrecheese 🧀 8mo ago

Oh, I meant the autism or ADHD part. So far, the other stuff is okay. I just wonder if there's any reason to get myself "labeled" with some kind of neurodivergence.

Bill Cypher 8mo ago

Honestly, not really unless you need the legal protections for some reason. Most people who decide to share find that most people's response is "I already knew"

What is useful about knowing without official diagnosis is the ability to study up on tips and tricks from other people for making adjustments in life. RAADS-R for autism is clinically validated and free online so you can know without formal diagnosis. That way you don't end up being one of those fake disorder cringe people.

mrecheese 🧀 8mo ago

I'll check that out. The hyper-focus thing is a major problem sometimes. It gets better with alcohol, but I don't need to add alcoholism to the stack. I'm just glad I married a patient woman...

Bill Cypher 8mo ago

Alcohol and nicotine both work because there is a dopamine regulation issue with autism and ADHD. External dopamine regulation by drugs, same as why Adderall is basically speed but it works. I used alcohol and nicotine heavily before but now I don't even do caffeine and maybe a beer a week. It is possible to learn to control your focus without drugs.

There are tons of non drug dopamine management tricks you can play. Think of it as the novelty hormone. Suddenly inability to focus on boring things with hyperfocus on new and interesting makes total sense. You can mess with the novelty in your environment to get through otherwise boring things.

For work I do Pomodoro and I change my work environment every sprint. Music or not, now different music, balance board, standing mat, stool, treadmill. Anything to change my environment for novelty while doing the same boring computer work. Breaks are always off the computer and phone. Phone or personal browsing simply isn't different enough for your brain to feel the break as different from the task. Do some mind body connection movements or pick a lock instead.

I also use the timer to break my hyperfocus stretches on purpose. I used to let them ride but I'd get one a day maybe. Cutting them off plus environment management gives me more total focus time at my disposal. It also helps me have more control over when I focus throughout the day. Kind of like making a roller coaster less extreme but a longer ride.

mrecheese 🧀 8mo ago

You're freaking me out now. It's like you're watching me work, right down to the balance board. 😂

Crap, I guess I'm on the right track at least. I've discovered most of these things on my own through trial and error. I'll have to try limiting the "fun" stuff time, also. Never thought about drawing that out rather than letting it run wild after the work is done. It also didn't occur to me that I probably like locks and soldering things so much because they're so different from the "boring" computer work. I also get more productive if I swap keyboards or pens.

This is all very interesting...

Bill Cypher 8mo ago

I started doing that because it feels like that level of focus is finite and responds a bit like weight lifting. If I let myself go until I naturally stop the recovery period is much longer.

mrecheese 🧀 8mo ago

That makes sense. Geez...I did the test and scored 161. Kind of tough because it forces a yes/no when there's probably some grey area. I took it again and went with what I thought was the more "normal" answer and scored 143. So now I think I have no idea what the hell anyone else would answer. 😂 I don't even know what the "right" answer set would be to score as neurotypical. I couldn't even game it to get a lower score without outright lying.

Bill Cypher 8mo ago

Well on the plus side, nothing actually changed except that now you know.

I got a 208 first time I took that. Some gray in a few questions but certainly no way I'm getting out of it.

mrecheese 🧀 8mo ago

Results are coming in from my buddies and they are half my score.

nostr:nprofile1qqszd44fgen4ucpl3hjt7muuaazzqdahp3lwu9c07phdweelcdxf3ugpz4mhxue69uhkyetkduhxummnw3erztnrdakszxnhwden5te0wfjkccte9enk2arpd338jtnrdakj7a33qyxhwumn8ghj7mn0wvhxcmmvhj9400 called it the other day, so she has validation now. 😂😂

Thank you for this enlightening journey, Dr. Cypher.