Similarities Between Autism and Borderline Personality
Why Autistic women tend to be misdiagnosed with personality disorders
Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is described as “a mental health disorder that impacts the way you think and feel about yourself and others, causing problems functioning in everyday life. It includes self-image issues, difficulty managing emotions and behavior, and a pattern of unstable relationships.”
I’ve mentioned previously that my Autism and ADHD were initially misdiagnosed as Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD).
Because this was 12 years ago, I’d hoped this would be less likely in 2022. I’d sort of assumed clinicians would have taken steps to better understand Autism and BPD, as well as how to differentiate them.
Yet even now, I continue to hear and read stories about people — especially women and other marginalized genders — being misdiagnosed with BPD because they experience intense emotional dysregulation, self-harming behaviours, and have significant relationships.
The assumption being Autistics lack meaningful connections with others and are too naïve and innocent of engaging in risky behaviour or intentionally self-harm.
The reality is quite the opposite.
Autistics are much more likely to self-harm and experience emotional dysregulation when compared to the general population. We can and do have romantic and other significant relationships. They just might look different from neurotypical (NT) relationships. That doesn’t make them any less important or meaningful.
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