Borderline personality disorder (BPD) and autism are two separate conditions. However, they share many overlapping symptoms, which can lead to misdiagnosis.
BPD is a personality disorder that involves difficulty managing emotions. This can increase impulsivity, negatively affect relationships, and affect how a person feels about themselves.
Autism spectrum disorder, or autism, is a neurological and developmental condition that affects how a person communicates, behaves, learns, and interacts with others.
Various research has shown an overlap between BPD and autism. A 2024 study from the Brighton and Sussex Medical School in the United Kingdom found that not only is there an overlap in the conditions, but that misdiagnosis of the conditions can have a significant effect on the individual.
The researchers found several key issues that came from a misdiagnosis. These key findings included:
- Harmful treatment: Certain treatments for BPD, such as “masking,” were shown to be harmful to individuals with a misdiagnosis. Masking involves hiding certain traits, specifically autistic traits. This was linked to increased suicidal ideation and a feeling of powerlessness. Individuals felt they could not change the BPD diagnosis, even though they thought it was not correct.
- Stigma: Individuals who received a misdiagnosis of BPD felt it introduced a certain amount of stigma and diagnostic overshadowing. It led to healthcare professionals neglecting the true underlying issues and imposing treatments that were unhelpful and potentially detrimental.
- Diagnostic barriers: Individuals found there were substantial barriers to receiving autism assessments after receiving a BPD diagnosis. This delayed appropriate support.
One of the main findings of this research was that those who did receive a correct diagnosis felt it was “life changing.” It gave them access to proper support, which significantly improved their well-being and mental health.
There are several key similarities between BPD and autism, including:
- emotional dysregulation, which may
involveTrusted Source :- intense mood changes
- difficulty managing emotions
- impulsivity
- social difficulties, which may involve:
- fear of abandonment
- difficulty with interpersonal relationships
- difficulty understanding other’s emotions
- communication issues, which may involve:
- difficulty understanding social cues
- difficulty forming relationships
- rigid thinking patterns, which may involve:
- black-and-white thinking or viewing situations and people as all “good” or all “bad”
- rigid routines, specific interests, and rituals
- difficulty accepting and adapting to change
- difficulty navigating complex social situations
Learn more about borderline personality disorder.
Even though there is an overlap between BPD and autism, they are two separate conditions.
BPD is a personality disorder characterized by impulsive behavior, unstable emotions, and an unstable sense of self. Autism is a neurological and developmental condition that involves repetitive behaviors, challenges in social skills, and nonverbal communication.
The following table shows some of the key differences between the two conditions.
| unstable or distorted sense of self | repetitive behaviors |
| self-harming behaviors | little or inconsistent eye contact |
| persistent feelings of emptiness | showing overly focused interests, such as in moving objects |
| feelings of dissociation | being more or less sensitive to sensory outputs, such as sound |
| suicidal ideation | being able to learn details and remember information for long periods |
Various studies indicate a common co-occurrence between BPD and autism. However, more research is needed to verify the exact prevalence of this occurrence.
Research from 2023 notes that around 72% of autistic people also experience a co-occurring mental health condition. It also notes that 4% of autistic people also qualify for a diagnosis of BPD. This suggests that the co-occurrence of the two conditions is not uncommon.
A 2017 study found that people with BPD may have elevated autistic traits that may include a strong drive to systemize. The researchers suggest this may show an overlap between the two conditions.
BPD and autism are two separate conditions that share some overlapping signs and symptoms.
This overlap can lead to misdiagnosis, which can then lead to improper treatment. It is also possible for BPD and autism to co-occur.
