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Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition, which means that some degree of abnormal brain development occurs very early in life. Currently, approximately 1 in 59 children are diagnosed with ASD. Although there is not a known single cause, genetics likely plays a big role. ASD is a complex condition, and like other brain disorders, can range from mild to severe. The symptoms include: Because their brains are wired differently, people with ASD often have a more difficult time processing information from their senses and can become easily overwhelmed because of this. Poor eye contact is one of the familiar visual issues people on the spectrum usually have, but did you know there are a number of other ways visual processing is different in ASD? Poor eye contact is one of the familiar visual issues people on the spectrum usually have, but did you know there are a number of other ways visual processing is different in ASD?
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6 Visual Processing Differences in ASD

1. Visual Defensiveness

Though some people with ASD may have low sensitivity to visual stimulation, many are actually hypersensitive to it. This is known as visual defensiveness. In other words, the acuity of their vision can be overwhelming and confusing, so they need to turn away from whatever it is that’s overstimulating to them. It’s as though the brain signals that normally allow us to dampen down stimuli do not work in this same way in ASD. Since this is a developmental disorder and the integration of vision with other senses is impaired, it can affect other areas of development such as cognitive function, motor skills, and speech and language.

2. A Strength in Seeing Details

There are some theories regarding the abnormal visual processing in ASD, but one of the more common ones is known as “weak central coherence.” This basically refers to the preference for those with ASD to focus on details, rather than the big picture. They see the trees, not the forest. If you have a child on the autism spectrum or know someone who is, it’s likely you have observed them with focused attention on singular aspects of toys, games or pictures, rather than engaged with the whole thing. Interestingly, a number of research studies have found that many people with ASD are able to see details more clearly and actually have enhanced non-social perception compared to those not on the spectrum. This of course can be a blessing and a curse. Their perception acuity is also what lets them notice when things are out of place, which can cause them to become upset.

3. Sensitivity to Color

It’s not unusual for those on the autism spectrum to only like certain colors and intentionally try to avoid others. This could even include not wanting to eat foods of a particular color or only play with toys in a favored one.

4. Sensitivity to Light

Children and adults with ASD may have a preference for regular incandescent light (i.e., table lamps) rather than fluorescent light. Some research suggests that those with ASD can actually observe the flickering of fluorescent bulbs—something that’s nearly imperceptible to the rest of us. It’s understandable how this kind of visual overwhelm could be very distressing!

5. Visuo-spatial Processing

This term refers to knowing where we are relative to the space around us. Because of the sensory integration differences in ASD, they can have a harder time with visuo-spatial processing which may account in part for clumsiness or bumping into things. You may notice children or adults on the spectrum doing things that engage some of their other senses. This can be soothing and help them better understand where their body is relative to their surroundings—or other people. Such behaviors may include:

6. Problems with Peripheral Vision

Since most people with ASD are more adept at focusing on objects of interest (called central processing), their peripheral vision may not be as well developed. What many of us think of as “seeing something out of the corner of our eyes,” may actually be frightening to someone with autism. As with all developmental disorders, the sooner autism spectrum disorder is diagnosed and treatment begins, the better outcome. There are many therapies and support tools available to help those with ASD and their families manage symptoms and behaviors. At Amen Clinics, we’re here for you. If you would like to learn more about how we can help with Autism Spectrum Disorder, you can speak to a specialist today at 888-288-9834 or visit our contact page here. We offer in-clinic brain scanning and appointments, as well as mental telehealth, remote clinical evaluations, and video therapy for adults, children, and couples.   “You’ll see me just show up with a black wig and a new personality. I was this tough little baddy, and then I’d be the Bohemian flower child.” That’s how actress AnnaLynne McCord, perhaps best known for her work on Nip/Tuck and 90210, described her history with multiple personality disorder in a session with Daniel Amen, MD, a psychiatrist, neuroscientist, and founder of Amen Clinics.   In an effort to destigmatize mental health problems, AnnaLynne agreed to let her session with Dr. Amen be filmed and talked candidly about having a split personality, which is currently referred to as dissociative identity disorder.

COMMON SYMPTOMS OF DISSOCIATIVE IDENTITY DISORDER (DID)

In her session with Dr. Amen, AnnaLynne openly talked about her experiences with multiple personalities, including gaps in her memory, which is one of the most common dissociative identity disorder symptoms. In general, common symptoms of dissociative identity disorder include: The distinct identities may have different names, temperaments, and self-image. These distressing symptoms tend to cause problems in other areas of life, including in relationships and at work or school. AnnaLynne had been diagnosed with DID prior to her visit to Amen Clinics. She thinks that being an actress played a role in her ability to split. “All of my roles were splits, but I didn’t even realize I was doing it at all until I did a project 90210,” she says of the show she was on for 5 years. For that role, she played a popular high schooler. During a hiatus from the series, she acted in an independent film call Excision, where she played a very different character. “I played a very cerebral, disturbed, strange little girl that was very close to who I feel I am on the inside. It was very exposing, very confronting, probably a bit retraumatizing without realizing it,” she says. “The crazy thing about it was that I wrapped that film at 2 AM on a Tuesday and had to be happy, crazy Beverly Hills blonde bombshell on Wednesday at noon. I couldn’t find her, she was not accessible. I was dark, I was very deep into this character Pauline and I couldn’t get [out].” For many people who struggle with dissociative identity disorder, they remain unaware of their alters or splits. Not so for AnnaLynne. She recalls times when she was “co-conscious” of her true self and the split she was at age 13 that she calls “little Anna.” “She was a balls to the wall, middle fingers to the sky, anarchist from hell who will stab you with the spike ring that she wears, and you’ll like it. Then she’ll make you lick the blood from it,” she says. “She was a nasty little creature, but I have so much gratitude to her because she got me out of the hell that I was in.” That hell was childhood sexual trauma.

WHAT CAUSES DISSOCIATIVE IDENTITY DISORDER?

Prolonged childhood trauma—physical, emotional, or sexual abuse—is believed to be the primary cause of dissociative identity disorder. Childhood sexual abuse is commonly seen in people with a dissociative identity disorder. In a Canadian study on 102 cases of multiple personality disorder, researchers found that 90% of the individuals had been sexually abused as children, 84% had been physically abused, and 95% had been subjected to one or both forms of abuse. Over half of those abused said their initial sexual or physical trauma started prior to the age of 5. Prolonged childhood trauma—physical, emotional, or sexual abuse—is believed to be the primary cause of dissociative identity disorder (aka multiple personality disorder).
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AnnaLynne has said publicly that being raped at age 18 triggered memories of child sexual abuse. “I don’t have anything until around 5. Then from 5 to 11, I recount incidents throughout,” she says. “Then when I was 13, I have a singled-out memory that was one thing, but I don’t have the sense of anything else at that time.”

MULTIPLE PERSONALITIES AND THE BRAIN

According to Dr. Amen, the brain is the key to the development of dissociative identity disorder. Low blood flow to the front part of the brain, which AnnaLynne’s brain SPECT scan revealed, is involved. The frontal lobes are the brain’s brake. When activity is low in this region and you’ve had intense childhood sexual trauma, people may split as a way to manage it. Head trauma can also be a contributing factor. AnnaLynne experienced a couple of car accidents that caused whiplash. As Dr. Amen has explained to tens of thousands of patients at Amen Clinics, head trauma is one of the primary causes of mental illness, but few people know it because traditional psychiatry doesn’t look at the brain. Functional brain SPECT imaging changes that. AnnaLynne’s SPECT scan showed low activity in the back of her brain too, which is commonly seen in people who have experienced whiplash. Healing the brain with natural therapies, such as hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT), nutraceuticals, and a brain healthy diet can help.

OVERCOMING STIGMA RELATED TO MULTIPLE PERSONALITY DISORDER

There are many myths about multiple personality disorders, which increase stigma and prevent people with this misunderstood mental health issue from seeking treatment. AnnaLynne is determined to change that. “I am absolutely uninterested in shame,” she says. “There is nothing about my journey that I invite shame into anymore, and that’s how we get to the point where we can articulate the nature of these pervasive traumas and stuff, as horrible as they are.” By sharing her session with Dr. Amen, she is hoping to increase awareness about dissociative disorder and childhood sexual trauma so other people don’t need to suffer in silence. Dissociative identity disorder, childhood sexual trauma, and other mental health issues can’t wait. During these uncertain times, your mental well-being is more important than ever and waiting until life gets back to “normal” is likely to make your symptoms worsen over time. At Amen Clinics, we’re here for you. We offer in-clinic brain scanning and appointments, as well as mental telehealth, remote clinical evaluations, and video therapy for adults, children, and couples. Find out more by speaking to a specialist today at 888-288-9834 or visit our contact page here. Commonly referred to as OCD, obsessive compulsive disorder is a distressing mental health condition that can significantly interfere with day-to-day functioning. It is characterized by obsessions, which are intrusive, frightening, or repulsive thoughts, urges, or images along with repetitious behaviors, called compulsions. OCD can become all-consuming, and if left untreated, it can lead to significant impairments in personal, interpersonal, social, academic, and occupational functioning. Although there is a similar pattern of symptoms, did you know there are multiple types of OCD, and that each type requires a different treatment plan? It’s true! Before describing details about these differences, let’s take a look at some general information about OCD.

Common Symptoms in OCD

While all of us have unwanted or unpleasant thoughts at times, they typically pass quickly and don’t get stuck in a loop inside our heads. However, with OCD, the thoughts become uncontrollable obsessions and tend to revolve around themes related to: Depending on what the obsessive thoughts are, people with OCD will usually engage in compulsions to help diminish the anxiety or fear associated with the thoughts by doing things such as: Though many who suffer from OCD intellectually recognize the irrationality of their thoughts and behavior, they cannot seem to stop themselves, and without treatment, it is likely their symptoms will persist.

Underlying Causes of OCD

It is estimated that during their lifetime, between 2-3% of people will develop OCD. Research has found there is a genetic component in some, but not all, cases. Published studies on twins have found a heritability range of 45% – 65% in children with obsessive-compulsive symptoms and a range of 27% – 47% for adult-onset OCD. The exact mechanisms of OCD are still not fully known, but there are indications that certain circuits in the brain are—or can become—disrupted and lead to the development of symptoms. This may be caused by events or circumstances in a person’s environment that trigger the symptoms, or it could stem from insults to the brain such as seizure disorders, infections, exposure to toxins, head trauma, or other conditions that adversely impact normal brain function.

Brain SPECT Imaging Patterns in OCD

Since OCD can arise from different underlying causes, one of the challenges with treating it is that without understanding exactly what is going on in a person’s brain, it can be hard to know which strategies will work best to control symptoms. With more than 170,000 brain SPECT (single photon emission computed tomography) scans on patients from all over the world, the doctors at Amen Clinics have found that OCD—like other mental health conditions—is not a single or simple disorder. Rather, there are various sources of dysfunction in the brain that can drive symptoms, and these can be revealed in the SPECT scans. With more than 170,000 brain SPECT scans on patients from all over the world, the doctors at Amen Clinics have found that OCD—like other mental health conditions—is not a single or simple disorder.
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Here are 3 examples:

  1. The most common OCD pattern involves increased blood flow in two areas of the brain—the anterior cingulate gyrus and the basal ganglia.
  1. Exposure to toxins, such as mold or acquiring infections like Lyme disease can lead to the development of OCD symptoms. A 2018 study in the journal, General Hospital Psychiatry, found that 84% of those who had been diagnosed with Lyme disease developed symptoms of OCD.
On SPECT scans, toxic or infectious injuries show multiple areas of low blood flow in the brain, which can interfere with how neurons (brain cells) are able to communicate.
  1. In seizure disorders like epilepsy, OCD symptoms are much more common than in the general population. A research study published in Epilepsy and Behavior found that up to 25% of patients with temporal lobe epilepsy also had OCD.
On SPECT images, this pattern can present as decreased activity in one or both temporal lobes, along with overactivity in the anterior cingulate gyrus. By actually looking at the brain with SPECT imaging, a doctor is able to see the biological issues that underlie a patient’s OCD. With this information, a personalized and targeted treatment plan can be created to help balance brain function and get symptoms under control. OCD and other mental health issues can’t wait. During these uncertain times, your mental well-being is more important than ever and waiting until life gets back to “normal” is likely to make your symptoms worsen over time. At Amen Clinics, we’re here for you. We offer in-clinic brain scanning and appointments, as well as mental telehealth, remote clinical evaluations, and video therapy for adults, children, and couples. Find out more by speaking to a specialist today at 888-288-9834 or visit our contact page here.