THOSE with diagnosed and undiagnosed autism* who are experiencing mental health problems are usually first signposted to community services for help. But once in the psychiatric system, many find themselves diagnosed with borderline personality disorder (BPD**) with doctors failing to consider autism as a potential cause or contributory factor.

This is alarming as there is now increased awareness of the overlap between autism and so-called BPD traits, for example, black and white thinking, social anxiety and explosive emotions. Yet time and time again mental health professionals only look to their own speciality and “overshadow” by attributing all the symptoms to a BPD diagnosis.

The “sticky” BPD diagnosis can carry a heavy burden to those given this label. For those diagnosed as having the disorder, it can have a profound impact and can even override an autism diagnosis due to the stigma attached to it.