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