5 ms·

I've been diagnosed bipolar, but everything I know about my non-neurotypical character plus what I've observed in computer programmers who've been diagnosed wit

I've been diagnosed bipolar, but everything I know about my non-neurotypical character plus what I've observed in computer programmers who've been diagnosed with autism tells me that I'm autistic. Is it possible for autism to look like bipolar disorder type II (no manic psychosis)?

SubiculumCode 5y ago
Bipolar disorder and autism do frequently co-occur, but I am not qualified to speak about whether type II is more or less prevalent. One of the reasons I am interested in autism is because it frequently co-occurs with ADHD, BP, Anxiety disorders, and pretty much any and all other developmental disorders, which suggests that beyond "autism is a spectrum", all developmental disorders are also belong on that spectrum.
- okareaman 5y ago
  > Bipolar disorder and autism do frequently co-occur Thanks for responding. I thought it was a offbeat idea of mine, but now I'm going to research it.
  - mercer 5y ago
    iirc, women with autism in particular are often misdiagnosed with bipolar disorder or borderline personality disorder.
- DaiPlusPlus 5y ago
  > autism is because it frequently co-occurs with ADHD Fun-fact: Until very recently, psychiatric handbooks proscribed comorbid diagnoses of ASD and ADHD - which is outrageous. Especially in the 1990s.
novok 5y ago
Mental conditions can have a lot of symptom overlap, which is why if you have a suspicion, you should get assessed by a neuropsychologist, and not the simple kind of 30 minute self done questionnaire type, but a proper 1 to 3 day assessment. ADHD, Autism and Sensory Processing Disorder all have overlapping symptomology, and sometimes people can have all 3. You might not have autism, but you have might sensory processing disorder and adhd which can still effect your ability to socialize and make friends for example, which might make you think you have autism when you dont. Also if you dig into the DSM, you'll see that things like ADHD have subtypes too. If you suspect it, you should check it!
- okareaman 5y ago
  > all have overlapping symptomology Yes, I did a bit of searching and it appears I may have both. My extreme focus and interest in computer programming has made me successful, but doesn't feel manic at all. It feels like a form of autism that I saw when I met some trainspotters. On the other hand, I do get manic and talk a lot, express a lot of far out ideas, want to spend money - classic manic symtoms - but I don't write very good code in this condition. I do and say dumb things, which my introverted, focused, autistic self later feels is out of control and embarassing.
  - novok 5y ago
    > talk a lot, express a lot of far out ideas, want to spend money That might be impulse control from ADHD and not mania. Hyperfocus is also another aspect of ADHD. Introversion can also come from ADHD too, and if you get medications, you might notice yourself becoming more extroverted. Or you could have some autism. This is why you should go get a proper assessment and stop doing the equivalent of Dr. Web MD on yourself.
guerrilla 5y ago
If it helps you, I'm diagnosed with bipolar and Asperger's.
- okareaman 5y ago
  That does help. So it is possible. Don you care to share the diagnostic criteria you met?
  - guerrilla 5y ago
    I'll email you.
pvarangot 5y ago
It's possible to be diagnosed for bipolar type II together with a plethora of other things in the DSM that I'm not qualified to list. But in my anecdotal experience dealing with diagnoses, there's at least like five or six major diagnoses that sometimes co-occur with bipolar type II. If you think you fit the autism umbrella I would recommend you seek a specialist that is willing to work with you on treating those symptoms. The whole deal about this diagnoses is helping the people who get them, it's not just a very convoluted personality test or something. You have to go follow the path that actually helps you and others, and the mental health professionals job is navigating that with you.
- okareaman 5y ago
  Thank you. I don't necessarily need a diagnosis, I'm just looking for an explanation for some of my non-neurtypical traits that bipolar doesn't account for. I don't blame my pdocs for not being to tease out the difference because it's subtle and I couldn't describe it well. But it might be interesting to investigate further now that I know it's possible.
kayodelycaon 5y ago
I’m bipolar type 1 and I share a great many traits with people who are autistic. I’ve narrowed down the difference in our experiences into the same sensory processing issues from opposite directions. One example: Very broad, inaccurate terms, my friends do not understand other people’s emotional state. I understand emotions very deeply but my own emotions are over-reactive and intense, they are useless in reading and understanding other people. Both my autistics friends and I have had to learn social skills by logic, rather than intuition.
magnetowasright 5y ago

SubiculumCode 5y ago

Bipolar disorder and autism do frequently co-occur, but I am not qualified to speak about whether type II is more or less prevalent. One of the reasons I am interested in autism is because it frequently co-occurs with ADHD, BP, Anxiety disorders, and pretty much any and all other developmental disorders, which suggests that beyond "autism is a spectrum", all developmental disorders are also belong on that spectrum.

okareaman 5y ago
> Bipolar disorder and autism do frequently co-occur Thanks for responding. I thought it was a offbeat idea of mine, but now I'm going to research it.
- mercer 5y ago
  iirc, women with autism in particular are often misdiagnosed with bipolar disorder or borderline personality disorder.
DaiPlusPlus 5y ago
> autism is because it frequently co-occurs with ADHD Fun-fact: Until very recently, psychiatric handbooks proscribed comorbid diagnoses of ASD and ADHD - which is outrageous. Especially in the 1990s.

novok 5y ago

Mental conditions can have a lot of symptom overlap, which is why if you have a suspicion, you should get assessed by a neuropsychologist, and not the simple kind of 30 minute self done questionnaire type, but a proper 1 to 3 day assessment. ADHD, Autism and Sensory Processing Disorder all have overlapping symptomology, and sometimes people can have all 3. You might not have autism, but you have might sensory processing disorder and adhd which can still effect your ability to socialize and make friends for example, which might make you think you have autism when you dont. Also if you dig into the DSM, you'll see that things like ADHD have subtypes too. If you suspect it, you should check it!

okareaman 5y ago
> all have overlapping symptomology Yes, I did a bit of searching and it appears I may have both. My extreme focus and interest in computer programming has made me successful, but doesn't feel manic at all. It feels like a form of autism that I saw when I met some trainspotters. On the other hand, I do get manic and talk a lot, express a lot of far out ideas, want to spend money - classic manic symtoms - but I don't write very good code in this condition. I do and say dumb things, which my introverted, focused, autistic self later feels is out of control and embarassing.
- novok 5y ago
  > talk a lot, express a lot of far out ideas, want to spend money That might be impulse control from ADHD and not mania. Hyperfocus is also another aspect of ADHD. Introversion can also come from ADHD too, and if you get medications, you might notice yourself becoming more extroverted. Or you could have some autism. This is why you should go get a proper assessment and stop doing the equivalent of Dr. Web MD on yourself.

guerrilla 5y ago

If it helps you, I'm diagnosed with bipolar and Asperger's.

okareaman 5y ago
That does help. So it is possible. Don you care to share the diagnostic criteria you met?
- guerrilla 5y ago
  I'll email you.

pvarangot 5y ago

It's possible to be diagnosed for bipolar type II together with a plethora of other things in the DSM that I'm not qualified to list. But in my anecdotal experience dealing with diagnoses, there's at least like five or six major diagnoses that sometimes co-occur with bipolar type II. If you think you fit the autism umbrella I would recommend you seek a specialist that is willing to work with you on treating those symptoms. The whole deal about this diagnoses is helping the people who get them, it's not just a very convoluted personality test or something. You have to go follow the path that actually helps you and others, and the mental health professionals job is navigating that with you.

okareaman 5y ago
Thank you. I don't necessarily need a diagnosis, I'm just looking for an explanation for some of my non-neurtypical traits that bipolar doesn't account for. I don't blame my pdocs for not being to tease out the difference because it's subtle and I couldn't describe it well. But it might be interesting to investigate further now that I know it's possible.

kayodelycaon 5y ago

I’m bipolar type 1 and I share a great many traits with people who are autistic. I’ve narrowed down the difference in our experiences into the same sensory processing issues from opposite directions. One example: Very broad, inaccurate terms, my friends do not understand other people’s emotional state. I understand emotions very deeply but my own emotions are over-reactive and intense, they are useless in reading and understanding other people. Both my autistics friends and I have had to learn social skills by logic, rather than intuition.

magnetowasright 5y ago