A thread on the confusions of diagnosing an Autism Spectrum Disorder and Borderline Personality Disorder / Emotionally Unstable Personality Disorder. /1

Many autistic people are at first misdiagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder or Emotionally Unstable Personality Disorder (these are the same thing). Many autistic people are also diagnosed with BPD/EUPD. The overlap between ASD and BPD/EUPD raises a lot of confusion. /2

I was diagnosed with traits of EUPD aged 16 in an adolescent unit. 6 months later I was diagnosed autistic and there they said I didn't have EUPD as my autism was the reason for my behaviour/emotions, so the diagnosis was removed. It was then put back by my psychiatric team. /3

I think there is a huge lack of understanding of both these conditions. Autism isn't widely understood, esp in girls. Many also criticise the diagnosis BPD/EUPD due to it being very varied and unspecific, with many arguing it should be split into different disorders. /4

Lots of autistic traits and BPD experiences overlap. For instance, sensitivity, distress, anxiety, self-destructive behaviour, black and white thinking and feeling misunderstood. Many autistic's relate to those with BPD when they speak about their experiences and vice versa. /5

Autistic people can be seen as having BPD symptoms but as a response of something affecting their ASD. For instance, 'extreme emotional mood swings' may be meltdowns about special interests, or about a change in routine. /6

For many autistic people, when they begin to present with mental health issues, they are diagnosed with BPD. For sure, some may have BPD too. But do they all, or is this their distressed presentation, often as a result of autistic traits, seeming like 'BPD' to professionals? /7

I think this is all very complicated. More research is needed. There are many autistic girls esp who are diagnosed with BPD because autism in girls isn't understood. Equally, there may be some who relate to many autistic traits but have BPD, which is also misunderstood. /8

I don't really identify as having BPD, even though I am diagnosed with it, and I relate to those who post about their experiences with it. But I think I relate to their experiences because a lot of the time they are similar to autistic traits and experiences too. /9

This thread has just been a ramble really. The confusion of those misdiagnosed with either condition does raise uncertainty about the validity of diagnoses. Both ASD and BPD/EUPD are misunderstood and complex conditions. Does anyone else relate to confusion betw ASD and BPD? /10