Expert: Paul Johnson - 11/20/2009

Question
This story has several parts:
My cousin has been diagnosed as schizophrenic aprx 10 years ago after an "episode." His parents are highly protective and often in denial and even without the issues of their son, both parents are high anxiety. Their son is now 30 years old. The mother has had panic attacks, won't drive on the freeway and the mere mention of it induces 'fear.' I say this because this is the only influence my cousin has had (coping mechanism are not evident in the family role models). As a child he always had a hard time in social situations (exhibits almost all of the symptoms of Aspergers). However, Aspergers was not well known 20 years ago. I believe he had his 'episode' after having a rough go in high school and not understanding 'what was wrong with him.' He threw out all of his belonging, cut his clothes up and ran away. He was found a day later in a field, the parents did not express to the doctors at the time the prior events of his life as they were in denial of his 'difference' despite enormous warning signs. The doctor was presented with only the event or episode as if it came from nowhere, so it seems that he had psychotic delusions, he was then diagnosed with schizo and then put on med's. However, I feel that he became suicidal based on having Aspergers and not understanding what was going on or how to deal with it at such a critical time of social development (teen years). The med's prevented delusions but he didn't become 'normal', he still retained the 'differentness' of AS. 10 years later the medicine doses have kept piling up to the point where he is often in a zombie like state and has put on at least 100 pounds in the last couple of years.
The question is:
Is there any doctors in Michigan that could possible relate to this and re-examine the case history?
Is there any doctors that can work with adult AS individuals in Michigan or a network that we can contact to at least explore the possibility of a rediagnosis?
The parents are fearful, so of course they see any new diagnosis as the dangerous.
He is currently on the gov't system and my impression is that he is not receiving the best care.

I know you can not offer medical advice and would ask that at all, we just want to know what direction to start heading, where to look for answers, who to call, what to ask etc etc. We can do our own digging, we have the shovels we just don't know where to start. It is difficult and he is definitely getting worse, the parents are in their 60's, who will take of them? Who will take care of him?
Thank you for your time,
Mark

Answer
Hey Mark,

Thank you for your impassioned question. It demonstrates the level of compassion you have for your cousin. There is a problem with home made treatment that is not based upon professional diagnosis.
What I like about you and so many people these days is you were willing to do your research and learn about the symptoms. Asperger's Syndrome is a difficult diagnosis to make because there are so many puzzling characteristics and expressions of it. One of the many diagnoses that is confused with A.S. is Schizophrenia. There are times when my hold on reality is so skewed from that of others, I wonder if I am psychotic.

I think you are on the right track by doing your homework and seeing what symptoms and match them to what you see in your cousin. In you area the most prestigious Autism center is called the Gray Center. I am not sure what part of Michigan it is in but they do wonderful and creative treatment with all level of the Autism Spectrum of Disorders. Look them up and contact them with the concerns of your cousin. I am confident they will be useful in your search for answers for your cousin.