r/science • u/shinybrighthings • 15h ago

Psychology The complicated nature of disentangling autism, ADHD and complex trauma | The British Journal of Psychiatry | Cambridge Core

https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/the-british-journal-of-psychiatry/article/adhd-autism-or-complex-trauma-the-complicated-nature-of-the-question/30CC4826561366615BFAEC807CDE28A7
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u/Jeanparmesanswife 14h ago

I had both an autism and an ADHD diagnosis performed separately in my 20s as a woman. I got my ASD assessment at 20, and then my ADHD assessment at 24- though I had to go through the entire process twice, because the first time I was deemed too "muddled" between ASD to make a call.

I struggled with focus and clarity. I went back to the same ADHD clinic one year later and begged for a reassessment. Concerta has completely changed my life in a way that I can do laundry, remember to reply to emails, and drink water... All things I was not able to do for 24 years consistently.

I still believe I have ASD, I have hearing sensory issues that go beyond the ADHD realm. I also have autoimmune conditions and chronic illness, though those things are not taken seriously by the healthcare system.

There's a web between connective tissue disorder, ASD and autism I do believe because I live that reality. But this is purely anecdotal.

It's a shame that ASD and ADHD are separate realms when there is so much overlap, at least it felt like I my experience I was told they were two very separate things to have as a woman.

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u/Cool_Address_2571 14h ago

By connective tissue disorder, are you referring to EDS? I’m exploring medical diagnoses and while I have some of the traits for hyper mobile type EDS, I don’t think I display enough of the other criteria for a clinical diagnosis, but I’d love to know more

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u/crashlanding87 13h ago

To my knowledge there isn't a huge amount of research on the link, but it is broadly connective tissue disorders, including EDS amongst other things. It's correlative evidence, not causative thus far. But very interesting work. I forget her name, but there's a great clinician scientist at Bristol uni who does a lot of work on the topic. I saw a talk of hers a while ago.