It happens the other way too. My BPD was originally diagnosed as autism. As a person with autism, I was denied mental health support on the grounds that my problems were the result of my own social misconceptions. I was told 'facts' about myself that seemed inaccurate, but because I had an autism diagnosis, I was not considered to have the right cognitive tools to judge whether the 'facts' were accurate or not. BPD for the most part feels much more natural. There is still stigma and judgement (I don't consider myself to have a personality defect, more a difficulty in regulating my emotions), but a lot of the 'facts' stated about me feel a lot more familiar and the treatment and support available is more helpful. It is possible I have autism too - my new therapist thinks I'm certainly neurodivergent in some respect - but you're so right, a wrong diagnosis can be very harmful.
I think my mother was both, undiagnosed , untreated, and the results were harsh for her and everyone near her. She married an abusive, possibly also audhd man and he liked to spite her and his children, controlling with financial and emotional neglect and covert narcissistic games. I was just late diagnosed audhd and also cptsd. It is interesting to reflect back on my parents who are passed now with what I keep learning. I struggle with anger myself bc I was parentifed and neglected in so many ways. But I also see my parents' pain since I am a parent. The difference is that I don't rage and shame my child.
Diagnosed BPD & CPTSD in 2020. Connected with Autism community on X. I know now, it's Autism and it always has been. I actually worked as an Autism sped teacher and wondered why I connect so easily and feel at home in that setting. Internalized ableism kept me thinking I was the problem. I'm gentler with myself, using self compassion 💜🫂
It happens the other way too. My BPD was originally diagnosed as autism. As a person with autism, I was denied mental health support on the grounds that my problems were the result of my own social misconceptions. I was told 'facts' about myself that seemed inaccurate, but because I had an autism diagnosis, I was not considered to have the right cognitive tools to judge whether the 'facts' were accurate or not. BPD for the most part feels much more natural. There is still stigma and judgement (I don't consider myself to have a personality defect, more a difficulty in regulating my emotions), but a lot of the 'facts' stated about me feel a lot more familiar and the treatment and support available is more helpful. It is possible I have autism too - my new therapist thinks I'm certainly neurodivergent in some respect - but you're so right, a wrong diagnosis can be very harmful.
I think my mother was both, undiagnosed , untreated, and the results were harsh for her and everyone near her. She married an abusive, possibly also audhd man and he liked to spite her and his children, controlling with financial and emotional neglect and covert narcissistic games. I was just late diagnosed audhd and also cptsd. It is interesting to reflect back on my parents who are passed now with what I keep learning. I struggle with anger myself bc I was parentifed and neglected in so many ways. But I also see my parents' pain since I am a parent. The difference is that I don't rage and shame my child.
Diagnosed BPD & CPTSD in 2020. Connected with Autism community on X. I know now, it's Autism and it always has been. I actually worked as an Autism sped teacher and wondered why I connect so easily and feel at home in that setting. Internalized ableism kept me thinking I was the problem. I'm gentler with myself, using self compassion 💜🫂
Thanks - really interesting. ’d love to read more about this, have you any suggestions of articles I might read too?