Can Oxytocin Help Those with Autism?
A true spectrum disorder, it’s hard to treat autism with a standard plan. Instead, each individual is assessed and through therapy improves over time in different facets according to what works for him. A child with autism works hard through his treatments and therapies to be comfortable in his surroundings and with his peers.
An anti-social disorder, autism can make it hard for adults and children alike to function in a bustling, increasingly social society. Finding ways to relax and routines to help functionality becomes crucial to those living and working with the condition, and Oxytocin might be a new treatment to reduce anxiety and improve communication for those with autism.
Why Oxytocin for Autism?
It was only two decades ago that Oxytocin was identified through nursing mothers and the effects of the human hormone are still being studied today. Today Oxytocin is widely known as the hormone responsible for cuddling after sex or perhaps for building trust and nurturing between nursing mothers and their babies.
But Oxytocin can do much more than make you want to hug a complete stranger after an hour in the sack. Studies have shown multiple times that Oxytocin can help individuals relax and feel calmer after just a quick spray of the mist form of the hormone. Animals in studies are put in stressful situations. When they are spritzed or injected with Oxytocin, they almost instantly are able to relax and be calm, despite remaining in the stressful situation – in most cases this stress is a form of isolation.
When an individual is suffering from autism, he or she is in her own state of isolation. Comfortable in favorable conditions, but extremely agitated in new or unfavorable situations, the child with autism is likely to react the same way as the stressed test subject. Using a quick spray of hormones that makes the child or adult suddenly feel comfortable and capable rather than anxious and frightened would be a huge service.
Studies for Oxytocin and Autism
Scientists and researchers are still digging into the benefits of Oxytocin, and one of those researchers, psychiatrist Eric Hollander, MD, of Mount Sinai School of Medicine, believes that injections of Oxytocin are hugely benefit to adults suffering from autism. In his research, he determined that adults who had been diagnosed with Asperger’s or other areas of the autism spectrum were able to react with more depth and clarity in social situations following an injection of Oxytocin.
The test used was one that asked the adults to identify emotional content based on speech. Typically, those suffering from autism have some difficulty with inflection and emotional aspects of conversation. When using a boost of Oxytocin, the subjects were able to sense more about the emotions of those speaking. Those who were taking a placebo, however, did not have any noticeable improvement.
This was not a huge, comprehensive study, but it is one that opens yet another door to treatment options for those looking to overcome the symptoms of autism. Additional research is being done to see if there is a similar effect when Oxytocin is used for patients suffering from social anxiety disorders as well as schizophrenia and depression.
Why Wait? Oxytocin Is Already Available
Unlike many preliminary studies on possible treatments and therapies, parents or adults looking to try out Oxytocin don’t have to wait. The hormone is readily available in liquid form and the misting spray is sold for many other social situations. While you might find the Oxytocin sold more for romantic trust or emotional attachment in the bedroom or boardroom, the hormone is the same regardless of use. In fact, the spray may help you in all areas of your life if the Oxytocin works for you – a nice side benefit.
Studies on treatments for autism are ongoing and any parent whose child has been in therapy or an adult living with Asperger’s can tell you that there is not a one-size-fits-all solution or band-aid for the condition. Every person living with autism tries to find the best means to hold symptoms and stims at bay, but even the most practiced patient is ready to change or modify his program at any time to stay ahead of the condition as much as possible.
The possibility that a hormone spray can make a difference in how well you interact with your peers is a huge finding, and since it’s impossible to know how well the treatment may work for you, the only way to really be sure is to give a bit of Oxytocin – either in injections or a spray – a try and simply see what sort of results you have – here’s hoping for outstanding ones!
