I don't think too many people quietly and peacefully commit suicide.
It's always a bummer when stuff like that happens.
There were certainly some peculiar word choices made by the reporter in that case. (I don't think he or she is a very good writer -- and some of the stuff that is said in there is just plain weird. Especially the article's attitude to suicide.)
Stuff it I sent them an email:
"Read the article on Angie Dickinson's daughter committing suicide. Tragic.
I was wondering however firstly how someone commits suicide peacefully (?) and secondly how Asperger's Syndrome "ravages the mind".
Yes, I have Asperger's Syndrome. As you probably know there is a genetic predisposition with Autism and my little boy (though not my daughter) has High-functioning autism.
As yet neither my son nor myself have had our mind ravaged by our condition. Should we expect it any time soon?"
Wonder if I get a reply?
I agree, crap writing.
"Nikki Bacharach died of suffocation using a plastic bag and helium, said Mike Feiler of the Ventura County coroner's office.
Born prematurely in 1966, Lea Nikki Bacharach studied geology at Cal Lutheran University, but could not pursue a career in the field because of poor eyesight."
I think the "not being able to pursue a career" in geology because of her eyesight was more the problem than the Asperger's. That no employer would buy some software that enlarges script on the computer just sucks. Obviously, her special interest was geology.
Describing the suicide method is also tacky and could lead to other people using that method. Most people who want to kill themselves are looking for simple and nonpainful and quick methods. I am I being sick and morbid now?
And the writer did not mention how unhappy her family and friends must have felt when they hear she died.
Do reporters for any newspaper anywhere actually ever write positive, accurate, intelligent, factual representations of HFA. I have seen a lot of real weird crap written which would get anyone ignorant of autism thinking all the wrong things about the condition and of how people with the condition think. It willl definately lead to weird stero-typing behaviours and more aversion and negativity in society, as if we needed that!
Looks more like misswording. There isn't enough detail, if there was any to start with. I couldn't say it blames AS or certain curcumstances of stress because it just doesn't tell anything to clarify. Surely an article would have been published with at least some background of the girl's history, so that readers can understand the material.
As for suicide, Aspergers certainly isn't a root cause of suicide. It might be higher amung Autistic people simply because of all the garbage we recieve from others. It mentioned her getting a degree for geology, but thus far no one hired her because of poor eye sight. Not hireing just because they need glasses is officialy stupid. Some people fly in fighter jets with glasses! I can possibly see how all the hard work and all her talent could end up into a frustrating mess.
It really does hurt very much to be continueously rejected and told "no you can't" despite all the effort, and achievment. I personaly feel that it is often human ignorance and selfishness that really causes the emotional turmoil in the people they give it to. I have met too many aspies that were rejected with their bosses or interviewers' stupid bs reasons, despite talent and effort that diserved more respect. example: "You have
done a
great job, and
work great with customers,
but I have to let you go. You're a distractiong to our department." Bung like that happens far too often for real.
Another private tragedy being abused for PR reasons. Great.
"spent years battling the brain disorder Asperger's syndrome"
don't we all....
Message: If you're not "normal" there's no place in this world for you.
That's a really sick, ignorant message.
Yes very sick indeed. Suicide is no laughing matter! Normally it's briefly plotted out or spontanious, but it happens because someone is suffering from emotional torture. Gee, I don't suppose that her parents thinking she was unintellegant, as well as other people, brought it on? Naw, it always has to be the victim's fault right?
The journalist who wrote the article sent this back to me as a reply:
hi, my son has that as well. Quite challenging at times, but no ravaging of the mind. But if that is what the family wants to say, they can say it. It is always odd to see it characterized as a type of autism, even though apparently it is. I explain it as high functioning with "a dash of autism."
Glenn Abel
So maybe it was just the reporter quoting the family's ridiculous comments and failing to explain the condition to the readers. Poor editing ?
Nobody even bothered to mention that she likely had depression, a common comobrid condition. In a large part, we tend to get depression because of how we're treated in society, and often by our families, it's enough to trigger the gene for depression to take over.
Don't know what use it will do but I posted this back
"Thanks for your reply.
What actually disturbs me most about people reporting on HFA or Asperger's and please do not take this the wrong way is that the public, by and large, is very ignorant of the condition. This ignorance is not due to stupidity but rather a lack of knowledge and exposure. One form of getting that knowledg is through media. I have seen in the last couple of years more media information given through different media to the public which is not in the interests of the public or people with the condition.
Recently articles have been written on people with Asperger's murdering people. Dr Phil had a family on tv where the "poor parents" were in fear of their teenage son's voilent outbursts. There are like your article, articles on people with Asperger's committing suicide.
The way these are all framed seems to imply Asperger's is responsible for the acts. However if we look into them. People committing suicide - why? Because they are suffering depression. Dr Phil's Apergic boy was also diagnosed with ADHD. Murderers - Mental illnesses, each and every one of them. All in addition to Asperger's. What the public will see though is Asperger's caused people to murder, become voilent or commit suicide. It is not representative of people on the spectrum and not true. It can lead an uninformed public to make badly informed views on people on the spectrum.
People on the spectrum already have to try to overcome the difficulties of living with the condition and the deficits (such as poor socialisation skills and the like). Many of us have been previously misdiagnosed. Me included (I was diagnosed as slightly mentally *** as a child). Most HFA/Aspergic people find themselves at odds to fit in with a society that is made up of at least 98% of people not like them and try very hard to cope and fit in to that society.
What we could always use is support in the media, to portray us in, if not a positive light, then at least a realistic light. What does go against us is any associations made against the condition which are not accurate.
I don't think any of us would be terribly offended if an article was written which highlighted our deficits, as long as it was equally balanced with our positives.
Anyhow. If you ever want to discuss HFA with someone that has the condition feel free to contact me.
Thanks for listening
Ross"
Hope maybe something may come out of it.
tom - I don't know you - but I wonder --- maybe you should give up the battle and rather seej to adapt your life to fit.
If you feel sad - maybe it is depression that makes you feel this way. Stress can bring on depression - by throwing out of sync. the chemicals in the brain.
It depends on why you are telling us about it Waldo. If you want to chat to someone my PM is always available. I will be non-judgmental and listen and do my best to help.