Type E Brain Theory

Discussion of the theory currently in development by Aspies For Freedom.

A small group of people are working together as part of an Aspies for Freedom project to further develop a new theory on Autism,
Schizophrenia, Bipolar disorder and some other different conditions.
The theory is that there is a genetic brain difference which causes all of the above conditions, and differences in stress levels,
environmental factors (such as maternal infections), and nurturing, can trigger, reveal or mask the various elements of behaviour
associated with the conditions.
Therefore a baby is born with a specific brain type, a clear genetic difference in brain structure, which we will refer to as the Element
type brain (Type E for ease of use).
The Type E brain person will have a very high chance of developing Autism spectrum conditions (including Asperger's syndrome,
PDD-NOS, NVLD), Schizophrenia, Bipolar disorder, ADHD, OCD, OCPD, Borderline personality disorder, Narcissistic personality
disorder, extreme anxiety conditions, or extreme depressive conditions. It is unknown currently what factors will determine which
condition will develop as the person grows, the person may develop more than one of these conditions, and they may receive multiple
diagnoses over their lifetime.
The theory of Type E brain is that the various diagnoses are not always useful, as the person can become confused and disenchanted
with the psychiatric system where they can be described in negative terms with multiple conditions. In fact the person may simply have
the same behaviours which overlap Autism, Schizophrenia and Bipolar disorder for example. The DSM defines clusters of behaviours
as specific conditions, however we feel that this is inadequate in explaining the real root causal factor, and the actual expression of
characteristics.
Aspects of these behaviours can appear prominent at times, and lessen, the genetics of the person remains the same.
If we break it down to basic elements a Type E brain will have one or more of these factors:
Extreme phobias, including social phobia, agoraphobia
Paranoia
Manic behaviour
Extreme obsessive behaviour
Asocial behaviour
Extreme anxiety
Extreme depression
Ritualistic behaviour
Psychotic symptoms
Hyperactivity
Compulsive behaviour
Anorexia nervosa
Gender identity dysphoria
Please note, this is not an exhaustive list. This list does not mean that if you have Anorexia nervosa, for example, that you will be Type
E brain, but that Type E brain can have Anorexia as a part of their neuropsychology.
One or all of these can be present at varying times. The behaviours will be extreme enough to be life impairing. That is to say, affect
the person's quality of life adversely, and not simply be an aspect of personality. A person can receive a different diagnosis, different
help and support, and different medication depending which seem to be prominent at any particular time.
We would prefer an holistic approach which recognised Type E brain, professionals which would anticipate possible changes in
behavioural issues, and less pigeon holing in the media which has resulted in cries of an autism epidemic, for example.
This recent study parallels some of our conclusions which we have come to over many years of seeing people who have been
diagnosed with various overlapping conditions.
http://www.webmd.com/mental-health/news/20130811/genetic-overlap-seen-in-five-mental-disorders
To quote the link "The investigators analyzed the genomes of several thousand people with the five mental disorders and people
without the disorders.
"Since our study only looked at common gene variants, the total genetic overlap between the disorders is likely higher," study co-
leader Naomi Wray."
This paragraph from this link http://www.cbc.ca/news/health/5-mental-disorders-share-genetic-links-1.1300339 also ties in well with
our ideas "The findings make sense, as there is some overlap in the symptoms of the different disorders, he said. People with
schizophrenia can have some of the same social withdrawal that's so characteristic of autism, for example. Nor is it uncommon for
people to be affected by more than one psychiatric disorder."
We are proposing that these different disorders are in fact simply clusters of behaviours which can vary or remain constant, and
depending upon the specific grouping that a person is experiencing when a person sees a psychiatrist, anyone of the aforementioned
list of conditions could be applied.
Case Studies:
Person Y is female, 44, married, living in Europe. She has a previous diagnosis of Asperger's syndrome, Bipolar disorder, OCD,
Anorexia nervosa and Agoraphobia. Her mother was diagnosed with severe depression, an anxiety disorder, and OCD. Her
grandmother was diagnosed with Paranoid schizophrenia, as was her great grandmother.
Person A is male, aged 32, and single, living in USA. He has a long history of psychiatric hospital treatment. He has received
diagnoses of Schizophrenia, Bipolar disorder, Borderline personality disorder and Autism spectrum disorder. Successive
psychiatrists have given a new diagnosis at each hospital admittance.
Person T is male, aged 57, divorced, living in USA. He had no diagnosis until getting divorced at aged 45, whereupon he sought
therapy for depression. He was subsequently diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome. At age 50 he developed paranoid delusions with
voices which severely affected his ability work and he was diagnosed with Paranoid schizophrenia. Treatment with anti psychotics
removed the negative voices he heard and he was able to continue to work.
Thank you to Rdos of Rdos Neanderthal theory for his supportive and helpful input so far. Also to Gerrit Holl, aspie scientist.
Notes:
We prefer to use positive terms instead of words such as disease or disorder.
This is a work in progress and we are interested to receive input from any interested parties via the chat room available on
www.aspiesforfreedom.com
Questions:
How can this help people with an autism spectrum diagnosis?
Many people with an autism spectrum diagnosis have more than one condition, there can be confusion when a person presents
themselves as having, for example autism, OCD and ADHD, from people who feel having more than one condition is impropable and
unlikely, they may accuse the person of exaggerating or malingering. In fact it is highly likely that a person with autism will have various
problem behaviours seen in the list above.
This theory can also help younger people with autism to anticipate the possibility of future conditions occurring, it is not something that
they have done wrong, or their parents, but biological triggers of some sort yet unknown.
Additionally some sections of society blame vaccines as a cause of autism, or feel that it is a new epidemic, if it can be shown that
autism, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder are really a cluster of symptoms that are genetic in origin, it could shift the focus to
something that actually helps autistic people, rather than so much time and effort being spent on laying false blame.
What about charities like Autism Speaks who are spending all of their money on a cure for autism, what does it mean for them?
In order to cure autism the actual brain structure itself would have to be altered, Type E brain is present from birth, therefore Autism
Speaks are really trying to cure a large group of brain conditions all in one go. Is it really feasible to cure every behaviour on the above
list? We feel it is much more likely that Autism Speaks or a similar research group we target the genes present in the Type E brain
and use a prenatal test to detect and abort.
If that does happen it would be a watershed in the history of the world, as all babies with the potential for OCD, ADHD, Bipolar
disorder etc would be aborted, not just autistics.
Without the unique minds of people with neurological differences, the world would be a very boring and sterile place.