What is Asperger’s syndrome?
It is an autism spectrum disorder, but it does not cause impairment of mental and cognitive development. It is diagnosed not only in children and adolescents, but also in adults. It takes its name from the Austrian paediatrician and psychiatrist Hans Asperger, who first studied the condition. The syndrome shares common features with autism such as communication difficulties, speech development disorders, difficulties in understanding, as well as anxiety disorders and social withdrawal. Asperger’s is not a disease, but a dysfunction that is far more common in boys than in girls. People with this disorder often struggle with an ailment such as savant syndrome. Despite having a low intelligence quotient, they have mental abilities in a particular area in which they may be geniuses.
Causes of Asperger’s syndrome
In fact, the causes of this disorder are not exactly known to this day, with most experts claiming that its origin is in the genes. Hans Asperger pointed out that the disorder most often affects children whose fathers are over forty years old. In addition to this, basic and known factors include:
- Diseases at the foetal life stage – rubella, chickenpox, toxoplasmosis, coeliac disease
- Complications during childbirth,
- Transferred pregnancy,
- Preterm birth,
- Brain infections,
- Postpartum birth,
- Injuries sustained during fetal life,
- Damage to the central nervous system,
- Heavy metals in the body.
However, it is still unclear where Asperger’s syndrome actually comes from. Research has confirmed that it is definitely not caused by emotional trauma.
Symptoms of asperger’s in a child and adolescent
They can be diagnosed at preschool age at the earliest. Among the most common are:
- Lack of ability and willingness to cooperate in a group,
- Problems with emotional contact,
- Lack of empathy,
- Problems making friends,
- Lack of self-confidence,
- Problems with eyesight,
- Sleep disorders.
Asperger’s – symptoms in adults:
- Having an unusual hobby,
- Lack of ability to sustain a conversation,
- Ritualisation of behaviour (repeating the same activities),
- Aggression,
- The presence of comorbid disorders in the form of depression, psychosis, mania, anxiety and even schizophrenia.
Treating Asperger’s syndrome with medical marijuana?
Studies have confirmed that cannabis has a positive effect on the autism spectrum. Many sufferers have problems with stress, panic and the previously mentioned depression. On top of this, it has been proven that there is an imbalance of natural endocannabinoids in their body and a malfunction of the CB1 and CB2 receptors. CBD cannabidiol is devoid of psychoactive effects and can therefore be safely administered to children. It is valuable to patients because of its anticonvulsant, anti-anxiety and anti-inflammatory properties. Medical marijuana is well tolerated and is effective and safe in alleviating symptoms of the autism spectrum. In this case, this is borne out both in the form of positive feedback from recovering patients and a wealth of scientific evidence. We should remember that the inclusion of such a therapy in a treatment plan should always be consulted with the treating physician.
