Reader’s Question

I guess this all started when I found out I had Asperger’s Syndrome in my Senior year of high school. I know I shouldn’t use it as an excuse, but I can’t help it. I’ve been feeling so down since I’ve been out of high school. I’m 19 and I do attend a community college, but I have no desire to attend any longer. I’ve failed over half of my courses; I should be almost done with by now, but I’m just halfway done. I’m always on the computer, and I’m very experienced at web developing and gaming, but that doesn’t even make me happy no more. All I feel like doing is sleeping, waking up to eat and then sleeping again. I’ve tried getting jobs, but every job I get I NEVER hear back from them even after I call them, never been on an interview or anything. My case manager is depressing me more because I have no desire to complete goals they have set, etc. My personal mentor type person can’t help me, I have no desire, nothing I do makes me happy.

Thank you for listening.

Our Clinical Psychologist’s Reply

We can all have more than one condition at a time. While you mentioned your diagnosis of Asperger’s, your symptoms now tell us that you are experiencing Depression. For a young man with Asperger’s, your situation is not uncommon. In high school, you were in a semi-supportive environment with individuals who have known you for years. Enrolling in community college, you’ve entered a new educational and more importantly, social environment. The increase in stress has created a depression.

You are showing all the clear signs of depression — chronic fatigue, sleep problems, social withdrawal, lack of interest/motivation, social hypersensitivity, poor concentration (grades dropping), feelings of gloom/despair, and sadness. Your Depression exhibits in combination with your Asperger’s Disorder, only increasing your social and personal discomfort.

The Depression will require additional treatment and intervention. I’d first read about depression on this website and take a few of the screening tests. Additional information about depression can be found on my website at www.drjoecarver.com. Next I’d discuss treatment options with your case manager and personal mentor. You would be a good candidate for antidepressant medication as these medications are often used with Asperger’s as well as depression. I would recommend consulting with a psychiatrist for medication as they have advanced training in combination Depression and Asperger’s in a treatment program.

In summary, this is a very treatable situation.