21. S2, Ep9: Getting the right diagnosis: from borderline personality disorder to autism

Beth Rees is currently waiting for her autism assessment after being initially diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder.

She’s a mental health blogger in her thirties, and lives in Caerphilly in South Wales, where she also works for a local charity.

She’s hoping that sharing her story will help other autistic people who have been misdiagnosed with BPD.

In my conversation with Beth we talk about:

➡ Being diagnosed with BPD, then realising that the diagnosis doesn’t fit

➡ The journey of discovery - discovering all the things about ourselves that are actually autistic traits

➡ Questioning mental health diagnoses - is it depression or autistic burnout?

➡ Experiencing imposter syndrome when you don’t yet have a formal diagnosis

➡ Why parents need to be asked better questions during the diagnosis interview

Squarepeg is a podcast in which neurodivergent women, and trans and nonbinary people, explore navigating a neurotypical world and share their insights, challenges and successes.

I hope that these conversations will be inspiring and thought provoking, open you up to new ways of thinking about being neurodivergent, and help you feel more connected to a worldwide community of people with similar experiences.

I’m Amy Richards, and after being diagnosed autistic at the age of 37 I’m now on a mission to learn more about different perspectives and issues around being a neurodivergent adult in a world that feels like it doesn’t quite fit.

EPISODE LINKS:

Information about BPD from Mind UK: https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/types-of-mental-health-problems/borderline-personality-disorder-bpd/about-bpd/ 

From Mind UK - What to do if you suspect your diagnosis is wrong: https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/types-of-mental-health-problems/personality-disorders/why-is-it-controversial/#CouldMyDiagnosisBeWrong 

Beth’s blog: www.justasquarepeg.com  

Her Instagram: https://instagram.com/justasquarepegblog

Facebook page: https://facebook.com/justasquarepeg

Twitter: https://twitter.com/justasquarepeg

Books: 

Women and Girls with Autism Spectrum Disorder (Sarah Hendrickx)

Spectrum Women: Walking to the Beat of Autism (Barb Cook and Dr Michelle Garnett)

Autism in Heels: The Untold Story of a Female Life on the Spectrum (Jennifer Cook O'Toole)

I Think I Might Be Autistic: A Guide to Autism Spectrum Disorder Diagnosis and Self-Discovery for Adults (Cynthia Kim)

If you'd like to connect or get in touch with Squarepeg, you can find me on:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/squarepeg.community/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/squarepegautism 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/squarepegautism/ 

Or on my website: https://squarepeg.community/ 

Become a member of the Squarepeg community on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/squarepegpodcast