Cross over with symptoms of BPD and Autism

[Joyinrepetition]

I just wondered if any of you have noticed if there is a cross over between symptoms of autism and BPD in any of your loved ones? Some of my family members have autism, it seems a common condition in my husbands side of the family. So when researching BPD, in relation to my DSD, I noticed some of the symptoms are the same as with autism, so I’m wondering if she also has autism too, and if BPD and autism can be considered co morbid conditions? There is definitely some cross over between the symptoms.

Our objective is to better understand the struggles our child faces and to learn the skills to improve our relationship and provide a supportive environment and also improve on our own emotional responses, attitudes and effectiveness as a family leaders

[Josie C]

Crazy—I just logged on to bring up the same thing.
My DD30 (dx BPD, bipolar, ADHD) has been asking me for the past year if I think she’s autistic. Actually, it’s more that she’s accusing me of not noticing the traits and not getting her help when she was young. She was working with special needs kids at the time, so at first I chalked it up to her having a heightened awareness of the traits and trying desperately to find a reason/cause of her own struggles.

The more I’ve researched, the more I see many overlapping traits.  I wonder if undiagnosed autism (and therefore, no intervention) could trigger BPD traits.

No teacher, family member, friend, nor my H or I ever considered that our DD was autistic.  She never expressed the “classic” traits.  She had difficulty with transitions, a highly sensitive nature, and explosive emotions from a young age. We read a gazillion parenting books, did allergy testing, visited therapists and doctors. ,Now that research shows that autism manifests differently in females, I see many of the behaviors she had as a child fitting autistic traits.

The big question is what to do now? 

[TelHill]

I was wondering this too. It’s my older brother (I have posted in the Parent/Sibling board about my BPD mom) and saw this. I’m his younger sister. I have a few neurodivergent family members.

He has many of the bpd symptoms but does not rage. He’s very quiet and has had issues socializing. He is high functioning with an advanced degree and long-time good job. He drinks to excess and overuses cannabis. This may have been a way to mask the bpd and neurodivergence (Asperger’s?)

He has one intense friend and a few inappropriate drinking buddies during the summer months.

I’ve never had a real conversation with him in my life. He tells me what to do or ridicules me. The only one is he told me where a good bar is and that’s never been my scene.

I’m 61 and he’s 66. 

It’s definitely too late for him. For younger people who are your children, being neurodivergent is more socially accepted. They may listen.

[TelHill]

Here’s a post I saw about BPD & Autism co-existing:

https://neurodivergentinsights.com/misdiagnosis-monday/boderline-personality-disorder-or-autism