Mental Illness and Autism

MY COGNITIVE BRAIN

BY KEITH MAKAR

Getting to this point, where I can spell relatively easily, has taken the better part of 4 years. It was considerably harder for me than most people. Definitely I am grateful that Judy persisted, even though I am difficult. It is hard for me to control my hand even now, but I can do it.

All my life I’ve been thought cognitively impaired because my mouth has a mind of its own. It babbles idiocy all day. I am not my mouth. I am what Judy calls my cognitive brain.

9/30/2024 0 Comments

Mental Illness and Autism

I started ECT last week. My OCD had gone off the rails since my uncle died. The treatment saved the life of Judy’s son, Alex, who suffers from catatonia. I suffer from depression that didn’t respond to medication. I couldn’t think of anything but death for two years. It is already working, and I have had only four. I feel better and calmer. Definitely my Mom’s persistence is paying off. I am so relieved there are no words.

The thing is, no one looks for mental illness in us. I’ve suffered from depression for two years - but four plus for Alex. A diagnosis of autism does not preclude mental illness. There needs to be much greater awareness in the medical profession. All this suffering needs to stop.