Some studies have found that as many as 27 percent of those with autism also have symptoms of bipolar disorder. By contrast, its prevalence in the general population is around 4 percent. However, we believe that bipolar disorder is mistakenly over-diagnosed in those with autism.
Can autism be mistaken for bipolar disorder? Yes. Some of the behaviors seen in autism (such as rapid talking, pacing, and irritability) are also present in bipolar disorder.
While people with autism may feel depressed, autism doesn't cause depression or suicidal thoughts like bipolar disorder can. Additionally, people with autism are likely to have difficulties with speech, social situations and sensory challenges. These are not challenges people with bipolar disorder experience.
The big difference between Asperger's and bipolar is the manic stage. Individuals with Asperger's will always want to talk about their topic. They may not have that aggravation or anxiety associated with it, whereas someone in the manic stage might."
Some mental health experts have described bipolar disorder as a spectrum disorder. This is because it can involve moods at both ends of the spectrum with individuals experiencing both very high and very low moods. The very high moods are known as mania, and the very low moods are classified as depression.
People with the BAP have some traits common to autism spectrum disorder (ASD), but not enough to have the disorder. But it's not comedians who have drawn scientific scrutiny for having the BAP: it's the parents and siblings of people who actually have autism.
Some developmental health professionals refer to PDD-NOS as “subthreshold autism." In other words, it's the diagnosis they use for someone who has some but not all characteristics of autism or who has relatively mild symptoms.
Some additional overlapping symptoms of autism and bipolar disorder could include: talking excessively or rapidly. increased stimming (repetitive movements or noises) or fidgeting. impulsivity.
Cyclothymia, or cyclothymic disorder, causes mood changes – from feeling low to emotional highs. Cyclothymia has many similarities to bipolar disorder.
Due to increased risk of co-occurring mental health problems, these individuals may initially be referred to general, mental health services and not always be identified as autistic; some may be misdiagnosed with personality disorder (PD) prior to identification of autism.
Bipolar disorder can be confused with other conditions, such as depression, schizophrenia, BPD, anxiety, and ADHD. Detecting and diagnosing bipolar disorder may take some time. But getting a correct, early diagnosis often results in better outcomes.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRIs) of healthy volunteers and individuals with autism show differences in the volumes of multiple brain regions including: The frontal cortex, which is involved in social and cognitive (intellectual) functions tends to be thicker.
Consequences of Misdiagnosis
As mentioned previously, the most common misdiagnosis for bipolar patients is unipolar depression. An incorrect diagnosis of unipolar depression carries the risk of inappropriate treatment with antidepressants, which can result in manic episodes and trigger rapid cycling.
Children with autism may exhibit rigidity, inflexibility and certain types of repetitive behavior such as: Insistence on following a specific routine. Having difficulty accepting changes in the schedule. A strong preoccupation with a particular interest.
Main signs of autism
finding it hard to understand what others are thinking or feeling. getting very anxious about social situations. finding it hard to make friends or preferring to be on your own.
Relevance to autism: In some ways Williams syndrome is the opposite of autism. For example, people with Williams syndrome love to talk and tell stories, whereas those with autism usually have language delay and little imagination.
If you still hear people use some of the older terms, you'll want to know what they mean: Asperger's syndrome. This is on the milder end of the autism spectrum. A person with Asperger's may be very intelligent and able to handle their daily life.
It describes a person who may appear to be neurotypical, but is actually autistic or neurodivergent. Now, this can technically describe many autistic people, since we tend to feel a lot of pressure to be socially appropriate or camouflage/mask our autistic traits to prevent being excluded.
It is possible to be mildly autistic, but many of the behaviors and preferences found in people with autism are also common to people who do not have autism. The difference is that people with autism engage in these behaviors in different ways and for different reasons.
Asperger's in adults typically causes issues with communication, emotion regulation and interpretation, social interactions, and behavior. People who have Asperger's may also experience other conditions, such as depression, anxiety, or OCD.