Anxiety, lack of concentration and confusion in Aspergers

[Jena_C]

Our daughter who is now 28 was dx in 2007 (Jan) as Aspergers after having a major breakdown.    She's always been
prone to stress with her study and exams although her desire to go ahead with study courses is an ongoing process.
She finds awkward in social situation and lacks confidence for which she likes to avoid starting with job and keeps
herself isolated in the university.  
Recently she's been extremely stressed out with  ongoing course assignments and kept studying  until well past 2am most days/night.    Before she started this new course her symptoms were largely resolved with meds and she's still
taking meds on a regular basis.   While staying up at night and doing these course work she seems to be getting
extremely anxious and confused at times.   Her stress is visible and I think with this condition she's making errors
in her judgement.   The consequences might put her in trouble..
Do you think confusion, lack of concentration etc are  possible with people who have Aspergers under these circumstances?  Could it be the impact after a major breakdown or is it just Asperger syndrome?
Your experience would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you.

[MJIthewriter]

I remember my college experience. I can handle a few active assignments any given time, but when I had several active assignments to do and given different deadlines, it became a serious problem.  For one thing, even with a course planner, I tend to keep track of things mentally, and when it got to be too many activities for my mind to process, then I reached melting point.  

Usually when I tackle assignments I tackle the assignment that I enjoy the most or can figure out first. I focus on that project. Get that done. Go onto the next one. Get that one done...then go to the next one. I don't like to split my attention between several projects... I'm not a juggler...never was good at it. To juggle assignments is not much different.  It got overwhelming when the easiest assignment (or one I mentally mapped out the process) has a later deadline than something I have no clue how to tackle or just can't get my mind wrapped around.

As a result the assignments that I couldn't get my mind to focus on (think of there being a physical wall maybe that will help you understand the mindset.) just went by the wayside...  I'd apologize to the instructors and plea for extra time. If I was given that extra time, eventually I'd likely pull those assignments off. But in order to do so I can't be backlogged with other, newer assignments to tackle. Though I did well initially, when it got to later sophomore classes, it was too much too fast.

Ever play tetras?  It's like that. Eventually the bricks fall faster than you can place them. That's how it feels to be overwhelmed. No wonder why when I reached that burnout, I found other things to reduce my stress such as seek out MMORPG's (mass multiplayer online games) to waste my time on.
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A possible solution to this would be to talk with the instructors. There should also be program/ group of counselors to help with matters like these. (I’m blanking out on the specific name). They can help to an extent. Also she may need to have her class load reduced. I could manage about three classes per semester, but any more got to be too much.

[Jena_C]

Thank you very much for your kind suggestions.   She has to learn a lot or there
may be trouble ahead.    She comes across many new things and has no idea
how to handle it.    Not being dx in childhood she only coped by isolating herself
which stopped her learning many social skills and lack of confidence in conversation.

[spunkykitty]

i agree with MJ, i m sure u can find some help if u approached the individual faculty teaching ur daughter. i hv had similar experiences ... and now i m back doing a research postgraduate degree, it is much the same, except being far older now than i was before at college, i can see what is happening to me... still, the battle is intense... and i m also coping thru Cognitive Behavioral Therapy...

other than approaching the college for assistance, here are some links which may be of help:

http://www.aspfi.org/college/
http://www.jkp.com/   - type in 'college' in the search form and u will find many books on this subject

and a great video for the teachers:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=233-3jtEZck
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Imv-KA5VQBE

[Jena_C]

Thanks for your response.   Yes, the battle is always intense with her too.  It's not
just Asperger's, she also went through a major breakdown with the same and was treated prior to her university admission.   She has always been too concerned regarding
"confidentiality" issue and never mentioned her disability to the uni. until recently.
She did put an awful lot of effort in her study and I feel if the result is dissapointing and not upto her expectation then she could slip back into illness again which makes me
really concerned.    The trouble with Asperger's people is, that some of them are more prone to breakdown as the condition is unique for an individual.