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Autism And Bipolar Disorder

S

SL JediKnight

Well-Known Member
So I'm Autistic but I think I might be Bipolar to because I have mood swings all the time are there similarities between the two can you have both?
 
It can be difficult to determine because autism can present with it's own anger management problems that you might see in someone who is manic or depressed. I think it depends on who you see, they'll all give you different opinions on what you have, a autism specialist will say autism and a mental health specialist will say bipolar. Some may say both.

But in the bigger picture a diagnosis isn't as important as the coping strategies that can be put in place to allow you to have a fulfilling life. A diagnosis can help in you coming to terms with yourself and explaining to others why you might do certain things but it's only a step towards something better.
 
There are typically other issues with Autism besides Autism, this might be something though for a psychologist/doctor to diagnose.
 
ScottyLambertJediKnight said:
So I'm Autistic but I think I might be Bipolar to because I have mood swings all the time are there similarities between the two can you have both?
Click to expand...

I'm ASD and lots of other garbage but not bi-polar as far as I know... Yet when I get truly tired, or I'm fighting depression, I can sort of get snappy... Also I will let stuff just build up, and build up, and not say anything until I basically just let it out... I don't really have "meltdowns" but at times lately I have become more prone to telling people what I think when I finally get enough...

This is sort of new for me and basically its uncomfortable and I don't really know what to do or say after I have let someone know how I feel. I spent my whole life not allowing anyone to know much of anything about me, so I went from the silent jerk to the full blown jerk... Its not really a win win at any level, but it helps my sanity I suppose.

My aunt is bi-polar and she can be a little scary at times but she is also deeply caring and knows how she is, and she will catch herself (sort of) and mend what she was about to verbally shred most the time...
She seems to only get that way when she is under lots of stress, which isn't good for anyone of us.
 
Yes, you can. I was with someone who has aspergers, bipolar, and depression. It is very hard and we did not make it as a couple, but I would celebrate small wins if you can and just like everyone else try to be the best version of yourself if that makes sense.

I struggle with depression as well but the trick is to not get too sucked into the disease and either get help dealing with the battle or have healthy coping mechanisms. No matter what there will always be challenges in life - Best of luck to you and everyone else in this world we are all in it together!
 
I was misdiagnosed as a teen as bipolar, and only recently have they worked out that it is in fact Autism.

My intense emotions have been labeled as "mood swings" my whole life, and thus over the previous decades I have gone through great lengths to squash my feelings.

However, my doctor recently told me they are not mood swings, because my mood does not change without a reason (as in, they are not involuntary mood swings without a cause, no unforeseen chemical imbalance).

My emotions are a normal response to internal thoughts or external situations, and they do not just come out of nowhere. This and the fact I voluntarily shut them down of my own accord means they are not mood swings. They are binary emotions, on or off, with no "middle ground".

I share this because I have lived many years of forcibly trying to negate my feelings for fear of disapproval and invalidation from others. This has caused great suffering on my behalf, and made me "feel crazy".

I am certain one can have both bipolar and ASD. However, I throughly recommend good help from a great doctor to ascertain that is indeed the case.

❤
 
Solphire said:
I was misdiagnosed as a teen as bipolar, and only recently have they worked out that it is in fact Autism.

My intense emotions have been labeled as "mood swings" my whole life, and thus over the previous decades I have gone through great lengths to squash my feelings.

However, my doctor recently told me they are not mood swings, because my mood does not change without a reason (as in, they are not involuntary mood swings without a cause, no unforeseen chemical imbalance).

My emotions are a normal response to internal thoughts or external situations, and they do not just come out of nowhere. This and the fact I voluntarily shut them down of my own accord means they are not mood swings. They are binary emotions, on or off, with no "middle ground".

I share this because I have lived many years of forcibly trying to negate my feelings for fear of disapproval and invalidation from others. This has caused great suffering on my behalf, and made me "feel crazy".

I am certain one can have both bipolar and ASD. However, I throughly recommend good help from a great doctor to ascertain that is indeed the case.

❤
Click to expand...

Thank you very much for posting. This definite has me thinking differently that maybe my ex-gf perhaps didn't have bipolar but absolutely extreme mood swings pertaining to all the stumuli. Anyway I appreciate the information.
 
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