Tony Attwood - Exploring Depression, and Beating the Blues

This user-friendly self-help book is a must-have for teens and adults on the spectrum looking for evidence-based tools to help them lead happier lives.

Angela Scarpa, PhD, Associate Professor of Psychology and
Director of the Virginia Tech Center for Autism Research

by the same authors

The Complete Guide to Aspergers Syndrome

Tony Attwood

ISBN 978 1 84310 669 2

eISBN 978 1 84642 559 2

Been There. Done That. Try This!

An Aspies Guide to Life on Earth

Edited by Tony Attwood, Craig R. Evans and Anita Lesko

ISBN 978 1 84905 964 0

eISBN 978 0 85700 871 8

Aspergers Syndrome

A Guide for Parents and Professionals

Tony Attwood

ISBN 978 1 85302 577 8

eISBN 978 1 84642 697 1

From Like to Love for Young People with Aspergers Syndrome (Autism Spectrum Disorder)

Learning How to Express and Enjoy Affection with Family and Friends

Tony Attwood and Michelle Garnett

ISBN 978 1 84905 436 2

eISBN 978 0 85700 777 3

CBT to Help Young People with Aspergers Syndrome (Autism Spectrum Disorder) to Understand and Express Affection

A Manual for Professionals

Tony Attwood and Michelle Garnett

ISBN 978 1 84905 412 6

eISBN 978 0 85700 801 5

of related interest

The Autism Spectrum and Depression

Nick Dubin

ISBN 978 1 84905 814 8

eISBN 978 0 85700 242 6

EXPLORING DEPRESSION AND BEATING THE BLUES

A CBT Self-Help Guide to Understanding and Coping
with Depression in Aspergers Syndrome [ASD-Level 1]

Tony Attwood and Michelle Garnett

Illustrations by Colin Thompson

Jessica Kingsley Publishers
London and Philadelphia

First published in 2016

by Jessica Kingsley Publishers

73 Collier Street

London N1 9BE, UK

and

400 Market Street, Suite 400

Philadelphia, PA 19106, USA

www.jkp.com

Copyright Tony Attwood and Michelle Garnett 2016

Illustrations copyright Colin Thompson 2016

Front cover image source: Colin Thompson

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any material form (including photocopying or storing it in any medium by electronic means and whether or not transiently or incidentally to some other use of this publication) without the written permission of the copyright owner except in accordance with the provisions of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 or under the terms of a licence issued by the Copyright Licensing Agency Ltd, Saffron House, 610 Kirby Street, London EC1N 8TS. Applications for the copyright owners written permission to reproduce any part of this publication should be addressed to the publisher.

Warning: The doing of an unauthorised act in relation to a copyright work may result in both a civil claim for damages and criminal prosecution.

Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data

Names: Attwood, Tony, author. | Garnett, Michelle, author.

Title: Exploring depression, and beating the blues : a CBT self-help guide to

understanding and coping with depression in Aspergers syndrome / Tony

Attwood and Michelle Garnett ; illustrations by Colin Thompson.

Description: London ; Philadelphia : Jessica Kingsley Publishers, [2016] |

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Identifiers: LCCN 2016010238 | ISBN 9781849055024 (alk. paper)

Subjects: LCSH: Aspergers syndrome--Psychological aspects. | Depression,

Mental.

Classification: LCC RC553.A88 A824 2016 | DDC 616.85/88320651--dc23 LC record available at https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__lccn.loc.gov_2016010238&d=BQIFAg&c=euGZstcaTDllvimEN8b7jXrwqOf-v5A_CdpgnVfiiMM&r=VCKr2NBFNTs4O_kp07esGY2J-doQEb4zTq5sCaeXa-I&m=VUpur47PjhtJUKVoc421FpqNV6ORtfKX3NDfTB2TiE4&s=Q8a9y0MuDUqLsqrnAYAwYRiqBwdpo3GZinQvlcaUI-o&e=

British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data

A CIP catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library

ISBN 978 1 84905 502 4

eISBN 978 0 85700 907 4

Contents

INTRODUCTION

Exploring Depression and
Aspergers Syndrome

There is a growing recognition among families and clinicians that there is an association between Aspergers syndrome and depression. The depression does not appear to be pre-wired, that is, an inherent aspect of Aspergers syndrome, but a legitimate reaction to the many adverse life experiences of those who have Aspergers syndrome. As clinicians, we have been concerned about the depth, duration and recurrence of depression in our clients at the Minds and Hearts clinic, and were determined to design and evaluate a Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) programme based on our clinical experience. The programme would also need to incorporate advice from a range of people: participants in the programme, our colleagues, and our friends and relations who have Aspergers syndrome.

We were also aware that there are some unusual aspects of the nature and expression of depression in Aspergers syndrome. These can include a difficulty conceptualizing and expressing emotions in conversational speech, occasions of brief but very intense despair, and a limited range of emotion repair mechanisms. The programme needed to be written in Aspergerese that is, in a style that would resonate with someone who has Aspergers syndrome and be logical, structured and clear.

The programme evolved over several years, originally in the form of a manual for clinicians. However, we were aware that the key components of the programme needed to be incorporated in a self-help manual so that many more teenagers and adults who have Aspergers syndrome could benefit from the programme. We also needed to include aspects that would be only briefly included in a conventional CBT programme for depression, but are essential components for those who have Aspergers syndrome. The programme includes a range of activities for the creation of a positive and resilient self-identity and offers a new perspective on how we perceive and think about ourselves and our experiences.

If you have Aspergers syndrome, there is no doubt that you may have many reasons to feel depressed; however, you do not have to stay that way. The information in Exploring Depression, and Beating the Blues will help you better understand your depression, and, more importantly, teach you skills and strategies that you can use to manage anxiety and depression throughout your life.

PART ONE

Understanding Depression
and Its Relationship to
Aspergers Syndrome

CHAPTER 1

Why Does Someone with Aspergers
Syndrome Become Depressed?

People with Aspergers syndrome appear especially vulnerable to feeling depressed, with about one in three adolescents and two out of three adults with Aspergers syndrome having experienced at least one episode of severe depression in their life. More adults than adolescents may experience clinical depression because the reasons for depression in Aspergers syndrome may intensify during the adult years.

The reasons people with Aspergers syndrome become depressed

Feelings of social isolation and loneliness

People with Aspergers syndrome have the desire for friendship, connection and social approval, but may lack the innate ability to easily achieve these outcomes. The result can be extreme feelings of social isolation and loneliness: as described by Debbie, the heartache of having unmet needs. There can also be a tendency to over-analyze social situations and social performance, which can be exhausting and significantly contribute to feeling depressed.