Borderline Personality Disorder or Autism? How About Both?
It is indeed possible to have a personality disorder and be on the autism spectrum. Many of us autistics have a background loaded with trauma, especially those who grew up undiagnosed or with an intersectional minority identity (LGBTQIA+, BIPOC). There are also overlapping features between borderline personality disorder and autism spectrum disorder. Here are some overlapping features that come from not only research, but my experience of living with both conditions:
1. I struggle with regulating my emotions, mood swings, anxiety, and irritability.
2. I sometimes feel lost in my identity, especially from growing up with undiagnosed neurodivergent conditions (autism, ADHD, learning disabilities, for example).
3. I have social challenges that I have learned to overcome via masking. Both conditions can be associated with inappropriate “oversharing” and excessively focusing on oneself in order to make connections. I don’t see this as entirely a bad thing, although I do work on making sure my conversations are mutual and reciprocal for those I talk with.
4. Sensory and concentration issues can stem from both conditions. When I say “sensory issues,” I mean both sensory seeking and sensory avoidance: being both underwhelmed and overwhelmed by sensory input.
5. Comorbidities galore! Autism often coexists with OCD, ADHD, Tourette syndrome, depression, and anxiety. Borderline personality disorder is often seen with these conditions too, as well as bipolar disorder and PTSD. Let’s not forget anxiety, eating disorders, and substance use, which are common for autistics and those with borderline.
6. I have had attachment issues and separation anxiety all my life. I don’t know which “disorder” this is a product of, but I know they are common with both.
Are you autistic and/or neurodivergent? Have you been diagnosed with a personality disorder, such as borderline personality disorder? Regardless of your diagnosis, both disorders have stigma. Let’s end the shame and stigma by talking about it!
Getty image by Guido Mieth.
Kaden M (he/they) is a graduate student, working towards obtaining an MFA in creative writing. He is writing a fiction novel, a nonfiction memoir, and a book of poems. He loves traveling, books, dogs, and is an advocate for mental illness and neurodiversity. He has also recently come out as queer and trans and wants to be an advocate for this community as well. He writes about many conditions, including: Bipolar disorder, depression, OCD, ADHD, anxiety, (C)PTSD, Anorexia, Borderline Personality, learning disabilities, Autism/Sensory processing issues... in other words, his experiences with mental illness and as a neurodivergent individual. Kaden also advocates, shares his stories, and general positivity (Oh, and photos of his two dogs!) on his public instagram account @obsessive.but.awesome
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