Autism Misdiagnosed As Bipolar Disorder

[@lillitt5899]

I appreciate hearing differering experiences about autism diagnosis. Your shows are very insghtful. I am a black woman with a dual diagnosis of autism and ADD. I was diagnosed ADD at 11 years old. I didn't rceive my autism diagnosis until the age of 35. Last year. I was diagnosed bipolar at 19, put on strong antipsychotics until I demanded they took me off them at age 33. I showed symtpoms at an early age but everythings was considered a weird quirk or temper tantrum. All my meltdowns were seen as bipolar episodes and I was highly overmedicated. Spent half my life as a zombie and I still feel like I'm meeting a new person. I learn a little more about her each day. It's been extremely hard to meet this new person but watching videos like yours lets me know that I'm not alone. Thanks for that.

[@sandytaggart6947]

I wish I could send a heart that nyiur comment but I am only able to send a like

[@MrMooAndMoonSquirrelToo]

Wow, just wow. Your experience with misdiagnosis mirrors mine almost to a tee. All the way down to being VERY overmedicated on mood stabilizers, antidepressants, and antipsychotics through my twenties. I felt like a mindless drone and kept gaining weight while being unable to lose it. I ended up becoming prediabetic and over 320 lbs. Fast forward to 33 yo, after I received my diagnosis and got off the psych meds, I'm down to 215 lbs, a lot physically healthier, and currently working at unmasking my true self.

[@Ellisonave]

Also diagnosed with bipolar as a teen with too much medication. Even got disability for it because it was so severe. For some reason none of it ever worked 🤔 always seemed to get overwhelmed and flip out anyway. Even ended up getting ECT for a year during the pandemic. Then my wife explored her autism and got a diagnosis and things started making a lot more sense for me reading about her symptoms.

[@Brainjoy01]

[@patriciajones4206]

So I was misdiagnosed with bipolar and put on Lithium when my ex who was abusing me told the psychiatrist that I had mood swings. I have hereditary polycystic Kidney disease in my family. A lot of salt is not good for my kidneys I stopped taking lithium when I realized it wasn't the right diagnosis, and lithium was bad for me, and it made me gain weight. Before that, I also got sent to what was called a partial hospital who treated people with severe mental illnesses many of which had been in the psychiatric ward of that hospital. That was not me. I did not have a psychiatric diagnosis at that time. They gave me the diagnosis " Coping Skills Disorder" so they could treat me, and then I was groomed and abused by one of the counselor's there, as I was in a lonely and vulnerable place at that time. I also stim in several ways, I I cheese pencils and pens , when I was in high school I used to like to suck on brown paper bag paper, After separation from my last job, I was habitually tearing and folding paper I rapidly talk when I am nervous. I tend to find certain things I like, particularly foods, and I want to eat them or do them all the time. Although most people see me as outgoing, I am noticing that even though I DO enjoy being around people and parties, I will need down time afterwards. I have high anxiety in situations on the phone to people I don't know, and stutter when I get those nervous moments. There were also situations when I was a kid where there seemed to be certain social rules I didn't feel like I was let in on, and would get made fun of. I also as a child had a high imagination. I had a whole pretend world, and I knew when I was in pretend world, and when I was out of pretend world. Pretend world was where I play solved issues I didn't understand in reality. None of these things looked at separately would raise many alarm bells ( except of course for the abuse parts) but all of them put together and a few other things makes me wonder if I am in fact undiagnosed autistic. I never thought to get tested before because of the appearing to be outgoing.

[@tillman40]

My deceased mom is a good example of this. She was diagnosed as bi polar for 50 years . Never got any better. The more I learned about autism from another family members condition, it seemed that my mother was autistic. The meds for no polar never worked on her.

[@polymathi.a]

I've been taking bipolar medication for over 20 years and it never worked for me either

[@scatter50]

Thanks for this. 72, and just finding out I’m not bipolar.

[@WatchPrayAlways]

PSA if/when you choose to, please be so careful not to go off of your benzo meds cold turkey, as this can lead to horrible even life threatening withdrawal symptoms. Additionally to tapering off of benzos, please also look into tapering slowly off of any SSRIs that you may be taking, if/when you decide that you want/need to stop taking them. Also, read the literature: benzos are not safe to take longterm. I'm aware that this comment may seem off topic, but if you read this and find yourself wanting to stop any of these types of psych meds pls do your own research. I'm posting this here in hopes to save lives. Take care. ❤🙏

[@MissyRoseLord]

Absolutely, stay consistent with your meds. I’ve been on fluoxetine for close to 11 years (I’m 18 now) for my anxiety and recently due to a mishap with my prescription I’ve had to go cold turkey for about a week. I’m up and down, I feel manic despite not being diagnosed with bipolar (I have ASD and GAD) and then in the same day I can be extremely tired, extremely anxious and depressed. Stay on your meds, you might feel like they aren’t doing anything but just remember that’s kind of what they’re supposed to do, you’re supposed to feel normal and like you don’t need the pills but going off the pills might screw you over. I’m also coming from a place of love and understanding, like I said I’ve been on fluoxetine for 11 years and I felt like it wasn’t doing anything for a bit there, I assure you they work

[@marycooney303]

I've been taking klonapin for 30 years...without any adverse effects.

[@SmackedyDoo]

@@marycooney303 Their comment is likely concerning impending withdrawal. There is a crackdown on long term benzo use. Also, providers move or can die and the new provider may not want to continue prescribing (my experience of 10 years on Klonopin and then having to fast taper). As such, some people are being taken off of their medications too fast and have protracted withdrawal symptom that can last months to years. The longer you are taking it the more damaged the gaba receptors become (from the benzo filling the gaba receptors so that they literally atrophy and no longer function naturally) the longer it will take for them to repair, hence the longer the withdrawal phase will be. During this phase, the panic attacks, terror, anxiety will be worse than it was before taking the medication. There are entire subreddits focused on PAWS and BIND. BIND has already been recognized by the medical community which is why providers are starting to clamp down on prescribing benzodiazepams which is why its more likely that people who are taking anxiety meds as prescribed may have them discontinued...its a vicious circle.

[@janesimpson8590]

@@marycooney303 you may not be aware of some of the adverse effects on the brain. Anything that alters your central nervous system and neurochemistry has effects that cannot be fully understood until something terrible happens, or unless a full autopsy is performed. It's also impossible to measure what life would have been like with another treatment or course of action instead of the drug.

[@neridafarrer4633]

I relate so much to so much of what you guys are saying. I didn't get a bipolar diagnosis,although at one point I did wonder if that was what I had going on, and years later I was mentioning my cptsd diagnosis (which I'd had for quite a while and I thought I'd been very clear about) and my mum was like "oh, I thought you had bipolar" which was upsetting because it said so much about how attentive my mum is and how much she takes notice of me. I got misdiagnosed with bpd. Just got my ADHD+ASD diagnosis and I'm 50 and female. My family didn't want to know about me when I was a deeply struggling teenager and I ended up homeless at 16 and I just had to figure out how to survive. Being a near-mute Autist, that was hard! I just got taken to task by one of my adult children, my oldest daughter, she was like "you are always trying to diagnose yourself" and I said"Yes, I'v been trying to figure out what the?!" Because, I've had no help from so-called "professionals", I've had to figure it out myself and then tell the clinicians what's what. Basically I have to tell them how to do their job for me because otherwise nothing gets done to help me. It's been like that for years. I'm pretty PDA-y too. I love helping people though. I have a lot of grown children and many, if not all of them are neurodivergent.

[@prestonbaker420]

It sucks that we have to lay it out to the “professionals”. Every autism diagnoser should be autistic. Nuros don’t know how to communicate properly even though they say we can’t communicate at least we say what we mean.

[@Sarah-with-an-H]

I have a C-PTSD diagnosis already. In the 90's I kinda thought I could be bipolar, but that doesn't really fit. Yes I'm dysregulated yes I have swings of highs and lows, but I'm not manic and I basically fit the mold of inattentive ADHD.

[@naderz4064]

I'm self diagnosed, no need for a doctor on it lol, it's been a relief to see that's why I am so different, all my weird cworks are in a way normal, I'm not messed up lol, and now 1 of my children are just like me, I have masked all the time, with my wife, at work, at church....until 3 years ago I just drank to cope with it, and it was destroying my health but when I drank masking was less tiresome and now I'm just exhausted all the time, I'm hoping I can help direct him to a carrier that matches his interests, I want him to be able to integrate his self more than me, my little brother pointed me to autism, he has said we were both autistic for over 10 years and I always took it as a joke but now that I have a son like me I had to take a real look at it, ty guys for content like this

[@cachinova1]

Incredible conversation. Im 24, I've been diagnosed for 2 years now, and ive seen many hundreds of videos regarding autism and people's autistic experience ever since. I can't believe that I could somehow find someone who could push the bar and explain a life that i can relate with to an ever deeper extent. I am listening things from my life which i didn't even know i had forgotten. Honestly i cannot praise you guys enough, I can speak for everyone when I say there's nothing more healing and peaceful than hearing autstic experiences and ofc certainly your guy's experiences. One day i will do the same. I see two warriors with strength powerful enough to inspire people, who've also managed to accumulated a level of wisdom profound enough that your words alone will even reach those who don't want to listen. Tha was a bit extra, but honestly not really. Thank you.

[@srwarner3346]

Hyper verbal , oh my gosh , me ! I can find a way to connect with someone and stay on top of the direction of the conversation so I can stay in control and mask. I over disclose to people and that is what gets me banged around. Autist are 58 times more likely to be bullied than the average person. As a woman it got me hurt pretty bad. The trusting nature the inability to sense someones true intent . I am Genx and only recently got diagnosed . The world is messed up and we are here to point that out and to prove evolution .

[@elwyberge6286]

Same, same, same!!! I love your conversation! Please do it again! /your adhd+autism friend in Sweden 👋😀

[@indigobunting2431]

I asked my son to protect an autistic child and he did so, gladly. I am proud of him.

[@Birdieblogger]

I am currently just self diagnosed but have shed many silent tears as I have been listening. As it’s been making sense of things that I have been really hard on myself for. Most potently and beautifully I truly feel your earnestness when you say “I want to be my best self.” And I wonder if that’s almost like a fixation. I started rucking with a weight vest and Nordic poles and I increase the weight and distance as my body conditions because I am an ‘overdo-er’ and I genuinely have a tough time knowing when I go too hard. What you said about living in a different time… I have said often I would have been a great cage fighter. Who says this?? But it’s true. There’s just so much that resonated in the subtle ways that only ppl like us can connect the dots the way we do. Thank you for being so open and candid and honest.

[@kimberlystokes3758]

Best show yet Thomas!!! I learned so much as a mother of an Autistic daughter. Thank you

[@icey_b1562]

Appreciate this conversations. Two autistic bros chatting. I like a lot of the things bros like(and sometimes fit in when I get really good at the bro thing) but have never felt like a bro.

[@Thareldis]

Working out is really a life saver for me. It overall became a special interest to me, because I loved feeling more in control of my body, especially after surviving cancer as a ten year old and at first believing, that I'll never be able to do sports properly again. Going to the gym just became a routine for me and I learned to mostly just ignore everyone else, as long as we do not need to interact and just do my thing and enjoy seeing the steady progress. What initially really got me into sports in my early 20's after doing a few swing dancing classes over some years, was martial arts. I started training Hung Gar Kung Fu and through that learned how much potential I actually have and that kind of training really became a special interest to me. The hard as nails training, actual fighting and learning how to meditate and regulate through movements and breathing also helped a lot (even though I still had no idea that I had Autism and ADHD) and combined with all the culture and history behind it, I could really train that stuff on different levels and learn stuff Incared about. But even though objectively those guys really were extremely fit, skilled and good at what they did, they as it is often done sadly abused all the cool cultural stuff and the small rituals to control their students. There is absolutely nothing wrong with not letting certain cultural norms die out, especially if they enhance a sport or an art and give it more depth, but so often even objectively good and skilled martial arts schools just slowly become culty and really toxic behind the scenes. It really pisses me off, that I basically can not train any style of eastern based martial arts, without a high risk of stumbling into a damn cult of personality. And what's even more sad is that the chance gets higher, the more skilled the instructors are, because they start buying into the more toxic and stupid aspects, that got brought here and should not have any place in the west.

[@marcusaurelius1639]

bro is badass

[@sciencenotsrigma]

Is it possible that some of the cultural aspects of martial arts were appropriated and made toxic by Western instructors? I’m autistic and find a lot of Western culture quite toxic, personally. My dad was Native American and a lot of our cultural practices have been appropriated and changed into various pseudo-native spiritual practices that are not in line with our original practices or beliefs. This was also true of the over 90% African American neighborhood I grew up in, so it just makes me wonder if this might be the case in U.S. martial arts practices, as well, or if those aspects really did originate in Eastern martial arts communities. Thank you for articulating, so well, what is so helpful about physical activity, for me. I was involved in gymnastics and dance, as a kid and got back into it through attending a dance class, when my child got seriously interested in dance and I was, basically, living at the studios he trained at. I ended up getting a gym membership and getting rid of 85 pounds I didn’t need, as well as finding a place people did self-directed activity, basically, by ourselves, like my other home away from home, the library. I used to live, as a teen and adult, in my head a lot and pretty much forgot that the brain needs a healthy body, to function, until my health was suffering and it affected my ability to focus on my “narrow interest areas” and care for my family. That was a wake-up call, but exercise has been very effective, as well as helpful with self-regulation.

[@Diverse_Interests]

Both of you gave me great insights that i have been blind to. The open genuine conversation is so appreciated . I am trying to piece together what disregulates me and it is difficult because I do not have the early warning alerts so by the time i recognize something is bothering me it is pretty much too late. I understand better from hearting others experiences as i understand and can feel others much better than myself. Thank you.

[@jacquizbak]

well said, thanx for sharing n caring eh!?!!12:44Pm8/23/2023

[@micheals1992]

I was pretty much mute in school and at 31 I'm still the same 😅. I'm currently starting the process of getting diagnosed. Ive got my first appointment this friday. Im extremely worried I wont talk. Its not unusual for me to go quiet in situations like that 😕

[@micheals1992]

I'm not sure how they'll feel when I mention suicidal thoughts and depression and never seeking help. I found I can help myself more then doctors and councillors can though. I don't get better by talking to people, I get better by processing my own emotions.

[@etcwhatever]

​​@@micheals1992same here. Talking about my difficulties and past trauma makes me get worse emotionally. Its like i feel wrong and icky. I need time to process by myself...and the emotions come and go in waves. One day i feel 0, on another i feel 100. Its...complex. Im afraid that if i mention my frequents toughts of how death is like and suicidal ideations that they will try to do a compulsory internment (idk if this is the right word in english). Now that would be a nightmare. Id just meltdown hard.

[@jasonreacts86]

I have watched every one of Tomas' podcasts recently and came across this and this one hit me hard. My life and Brandon's could not be more different but our experiences are so similar. Absolutely inspired. Thomas has been inspiring me for the last few months but Brandon was a different level after being diagnosed last week at 37 with autism and ADHD... just so many things were relatable, I can't even list them. I am just re starting my gym membership after 12 months of apathy with it! Thank you both so, so much!

[@sorad5791]

Holy sh*t.. I relate to this dude so much. most of what he said about his experience has been my experience too. Also to what Thomas said throughout the video. Aside from physical training/working out. I have different special interests. I'm 32, ADHD and I figured out recently that I am also Autistic, through researching after one of my son's was diagnosed a couple years ago. I've also realized that my oldest son probably is too. My youngest boy is an adorable little ADHD spazz ball loll I have my first appointment to start the process of hopefully getting a diagnose tomorrow. I laughed and then wanted to cry when he explained the pass the salt story.

[@homegrownroots5431]

The meds they put me on for bipolar which i did not have messed my health and life up. I quit the meds several years ago because I did not need them since they were not going to fix anything and I'm much healthier and happier since.

[@Glesga_lassie]

This happened to me, i was then put in a mental hospital three times, and given every antipsychotic med there is. This was 20 years ago. I realised after 3 years i did not have bipolar, but it was only in the past few years ive realised im probably autistic. My daughter is diagnosed and this helped me learn about the symptoms. I also believe i might have ADHD, but the local NHS in my city have refused to assess me, instead citing "anxeity" as the cause of my issues. Id go provate but its way too expensive. Things need an overhaul in Scotland with regards to assessment. Its ridiculous. Im sorry to your guest fir what he went through, i share his pain. Its awful.

[@christinethomas5290]

Thank you for this interview! I am 41 and have survived so far. Lol the struggle is real. Basically I have a lot of misdiagnosis terms like bi polar 1, severe depression, depersonalization disorder, generalized anxiety, unspecified psychosis, complex partial seizures... thinking it is actually autism... but am looking into finding a professional to correct my medical record. Meanwhile these videos are helpful❤ Side note: I am pretty good at staying regulated but in my 20s a cop was called for my abnormal behavior and i was locked up in a psychiatric ward for a month. The only way I got released was not taking the meds they put me on (meds did not help and made me act more crazy)... so i could self regulate and put the normal mask back on. I mean I tried it their way at first because i did not know what was going on... until they suggested frying my brain with electric shock therapy. I guess survival instincts took over... So yeah not being able to sleep for a long amount of time would make anyone crazy. All of these autism videos sre making me realize why I'm a bit different... like my body and mind just work differently... and that is ok... now I know... I'm not alone in this experience, other humans speak my language, and I am getting better coping skills listening... so thanks again!😊❤

[@prestonbaker420]

It sucks to be locked away in a mental institution, been there a few times, misdiagnosed with bipolar and adjustment disorder. Why do we have to prove ourselves to doctors, it’s like if we have depression and anxiety than it can’t be autism, but when you research autism that’s what they all go through. I spent 2200 dollars just to be told my mood was to unstable for a diagnosis. When a autistic person is slamming their head against a wall that seems pretty unstable to me. It’s amazing to find we are autistic and see that others struggle like we do, why is diagnosis so hard, it was easy for me once I knew what autism is. Why is it so hard for the doctors.

[@christinethomas5290]

@@prestonbaker420 Realizing it is autism and connecting with others that have had similar experiences really helps. I hope that with more autistic people speaking up about their experience doctors, scientists, psychologists, neurologists will start to listen and catch up with research and coping mechanisms... even better societal considerations... that would be nice. I'm a dreamer. 😊❤

[@JENTHINKSO]

​@@christinethomas5290We need to become more of the doctors and scientists ourselves. We can't allow neurotypicals who cannot fathom us to define us. Truly impressive how you managed to get yourself out of that nightmare situation. ❤

[@AmberAmber]

I feel all yall. ❤❤❤❤

[@The_Tiffster]

"For the first time in my whole life I actually feel like myself" ~ if it's the first time that you've ever felt this way then how do you recognize it to be the way in which your "self" feels?

[@zametal.]

This is a lovely interview/conversation. Thank you two for sharing it with us! It is very cool to have these different perspectives (and also differing from mine). [monologue about my perspective/experience on fitness and hygiene] I had a phase in which I was into working out, but mostly I kinda hyper-focussed on nutrition and "efficient" way to feed myself, back when I first became a vegan. It was first an interesting challenge (because I have also some allergies to plant proteins (hemp and soy), so it was complicated enough in my area to make it possible to get all the nutrition and eat well (while on a budget, of course), and so I had to do a lot of research about food/nutrition and I became a bit obsessed with the topic at the time. I had to stop that particular interest of mine because it was difficult for me to gage the difference to a potential eating disorder, but now I wonder whether it was just a special interest or perfectionism that had me so caught up in that topic. I did cook my own meals twice a day at that time. I also struggle with executive function at times, but like with Thomas it seems also very dependant on my overall well being/mental health. at that time I was just putting all energy into physical fitness and was doing fine with that. (I have to admit that other areas of life also might have been neglected in order to keep the everyday maintenance up (that is keeping up: cooking, cleaning/dishes, working out/swimming, showering/washing hair; neglecting: schoolwork, anything else). When a couple of people I knew suddenly developed an interest in swimming I had to stop going, because I got extremely overwhelmed by the thought of having my swimming, during which I'd just be able to think and be in my own head, interrupted by social interaction. In our flat (a flat share of 3 students) we had mold in the shower, so instead of going into that room I always went to shower at the pool I was swimming at (we had one to use for free at university), so with the swimming, the showering was made impossibly more difficult as well. Lastly I had to stop obsessing about food too, in order to enable myself again to the potential to socially connect via shared meals, instead of making things more complicated.. So.. I left that whole thing behind. But I am a bit sad about it. I also successfully forgot a lot of the things that I had taught myself back then. Anyhow.. thank you for reading, if anyone did. Hope y'all are well

[@Morgantritherion]

Thank you guys for this talk. I identified myself so much in this in a time that I really needed it.

[@sandytaggart6947]

I learned SO, so much on this specific podcast. I also resonated with a lot about things you said, Thomas. I only found out about my autism/ADHD a month sbd a half ago. I've been hyperfocused on learning everything about this topic. 1. I could never reconcile that I was a championship level, tournament black belt in Tang Soo do for my whole childhood/adolescence, but I tripped over my own feet and would sprain my ankle when not in martial arts. (I know the latter is Dyspraxia but I still don't understand the contrast with the former; however it helped to hear a similar martial arts story from you.) 2. I had tmbern thinking I was an "empath" for years. It has become my identity. When you explained about following the cadence of the conversations, recognizing the patterns, and then noticing the subtle changes in tone or energy; then your stomach just drops because you don't understand what you did wrong to cause this change in energy, and if they say, nothing, it makes it worse. That explains my life. I appreciate you putting it into words.

[@herewegokids7]

I also am a clumsy athlete.

[@KellenAdair]

​@ Me, too. Or was, anyway. herewegokids7

[@TheRawChuck]

I have been diagnosed with Bipolar but now I'm certain I have Autism, ADHD, AND possibly Bipolar. I must be good at masking because I am very lost in the real world. I got beat up a lot growing up. People just didn't like me no matter how I tried. Getting a different diagnosis would be a problem because if I lose my Bipolar diagnosis then I also lose my disability and I'm too ADHD to even work. The anxiety would eat me up even worse these days too.

[@lizadeeza]

Thanks for doing this show. I have received a very late diagnoses of AudADHD in my late 50's. Almost 30 years ago, I was also diagnosed with BiPolar Disorder 1 but this was something I recognized in myself after years of struggling with depression. I actually was able to stabilize myself without meds but with a lot of healthy life changes, including learning how to regulate my emotions and change toxic thinking habits. Autism was always making all of this challenging but also helped with my recognition of patterns and psychology and my own healing becoming my special interest. The co-morbidity of BiPolar Disorder and Autism, as well as with CPTSD, points to what I believe is an individual's need for extra support in finding healthy ways to regulate a volatile nervous system. The medical system may suggest meditation, changes in diet, increased exercise and so forth - but the only thing they actually enforce are pills that numb a person for a lifetime rather than teach them the skills to help them heal themselves.

[@noreenquinn3844]

I wonder if you could discuss how you both managed to develop such good conversation flow. Some have difficulty knowing what to say in conversation. Are there tricks to learn? Also, can you discuss the importance ( or not) of having a partner or wing person? It's difficult enough to meet someone even even not autistic. Many thanks, gentlemen. Great conversation.

[@JENTHINKSO]

I feel obligated to say something about the dangers of benzos. I don't want to make anyone feel offended or defensive. I realize how unwelcome the message must be for someone feeling like they've finally found a solution - and it's backed by their doctor. I really want people to be happy and healthy. Unfortunately, benzos are NOT the answer. When taken regularly they are not only ineffective, they are known (acknowledged by manufacturer) to actually *generate* anxiety and they are highly physically addictive. Long-term use is associated with dementia. There are many, many reasons to avoid this class of drugs. Of course everyone deserves to make their own choices. But how can you do that unless you're fully informed? I encourage anyone considering benzos to dig deep to look at the often glossed-over downsides. Doctors who prescribe them are often unaware of some of their worst downsides. Others, as difficult as it is to fathom such cynicism, may hope to make you into a loyal regular patient on their schedule. 😢 Please be informed and take care. ❤

[@jenrobinson8072]

I have not taken benzos, but I know people whose lives have been completely disrupted by them. They change your brain so much, and withdrawal can last for years.

[@withyoctopus]

20:00 thoughts on dichotomy of wanting to give up and wanting to stay alive

[@MissyHaseley]

I am trippin on your song choices, guys. Awesome podcast! Brandon, you're a beautifully complex yet simple machine of a man with a huge heart. Thomas, you are such a kind soul with a wicked streak. 😆 Love that you're doing these videos. It helps people like me who constantly seek truth and answers. I love that you guys found your passions, embraced your strengths, and conquer struggles on a daily basis. You're both an incredible inspiration to me. Keep being you.

[@MichaelBLive]

thanks guys. stories appreciated. adhd. bipolar 2, diagnosed. probably have some autism. thinking of getting evaluated. FWIW it isn't as well known as it should be but bipolar can be managed to 100% satisfaction. I am 10 months in to new treatment plan with lifestyle being a key component. Never been better. Didn't think it was possible a year ago. Cheers. Michael B.

[@derp195]

I'm so autistic that I thought Drive was just about drinking and driving lol

[@talvinfarquhar4570]

I've also been depressed since 13

[@PattyDalmau]

I truly appreciate your candor and PSA channel, thank you from the bottom of my heart ❤️ 🙏

[@AmaranthineIntrigue]

I really relate to Brandon in alot of ways. Especially the way he had to get going in the conversation. I used to do this alot before I started masking more. It would take me awhile to come out so to say. But once I was talking about something interesting I would be on a roll. I so appreciated this episode. Also love how Thomas gave up on bleeping him out 😅

[@Gaba.Groove]

You guys are awesome! ❤❤❤

[@ButterfliesQLD]

Thank you both for your honest explanation and experience's, WOW I'm very overwhelmed😢 by your stories and how some of your lived experiences relate to me word for word like your detailing my life events. I've also was firstly diagnosed with bipolar at 29 yrs old but I knew that couldn't be true, I researched the crap out of it, but took the meds OMG that flipped my lid mega... So abruptly stopped taking them another problem.... Oh you silly uneducated doctor... Like really!!!at 33 my sister in law said I could possibly have Aspergers syndrome, went to GP yeah that's it got it first go but that was that nothing was addressed nor were there any such thing as DSM-5 or supports, life went on and telling family or friends or anyone was disheartening so I stopped an we all got on with life and all its demands. At 34 I had my first major violent episode/experience, my only memory of the out burt was coming home from Tafe to my angry boyfriend's mother who was yelling at me, I will never forget the slap across the face an from there it's all white very very Bright white sun light rays bright. I found myself 1 hour away from where I lived at a friend's place in the country, with half of my belongings packed in the car, my mini live mallard duck in her elaborated built home packed into the boot of the car, and blood all over me an glass in my feet. I did not know there was an active warrent for my arrest. Years on when my parents died and things got super bad I went for a reassement, help. what a shit show that turned out to be, made me worse truly. There is light at the end if this story 49 yrs old on my(dead) mothers birthday 22nd Dec 2021 I got the official diagnosis for level 2 ASD. I was born march 24 1972 in south Africa an immigrated to Australia in July 1974. I'm currently researching autism and have only left my house 9 times in 5 months due to what I think to be my first very real and the most intense nervous breakdown of my life. All the rest of my melt downs internal or outwardly do not even come close to what is happening to me right now. Thank you so much for speaking out and sharing your stories I can't get enough of the Autistic presenters on social media, well 4 that speak to me, so I don't get to much at once. I've just discovered a whole new world, an found I'm truly not alone as I thought I was 5 months ago. Nooooooo 1 gets me or understands me it's so hard to explain an to live in this world at BEST. OMG 😮❤Finally I found more people like me, I live remotely an do not like or engage in watching the news/socialising keeping up with trends etc. I'm just not current which has not been helpful in getting help or being Social, I've actually yet to meet another autistic person in the flesh face to face,you have given me so much to unpack. Yes I finally got funding for weekly counselling on Tuesdays. 1 step at a time. Blessings from Australia thank you for sharing your experiences knowledge an ❤ with the world truly greatful. Would love to chat to you in person one day I feel that would be really insightful an healing for me. 🦋🧡 Kind regards Teresa.

[@ThomasHenley]

Thank you for sharing your experience Teresa, I’m glad you found this podcast helpful! :)

[@ButterfliesQLD]

@@ThomasHenley thank you for replying it's the first time speaking out. Thank you for being you and doing these pod casts. They are helping me soooooooo much. 🦋

[@OriginNowSound]

Brandon is saying so much truth, I aways thought that people are dismissive of my thoughts and to hear someone saying theses things is like a relief because I don't hear people thinking like me. I was bourn same era as him and I think very similar to him! I cant believe it ! I fell like same as Brandon is saying

[@ryanb2781]

That u for making vids its helping so much cope with life i almodted ended everything 5 days ago cux im always mistreated by mybown family i cant make friends im like caged in my home i can stop having meltdown left and right its soso frustrating

[@illminds1774]

Thank you guys for what you do! gave me some good feedback and can relate to brandon in certain scenarios he had mentioned.

[@ravenspace]

i worked in restaurants with a high enough i.q.that i could have gone to uni/college the physical work was a workout and i got praise for doing it well. i never drove a car, i was so clumsy at school i was never picked for sport, i barely coped with life, living in a constant hypervigilant state, masking and highly dysregulated in my family relationships, up until i had a planned baby aged 39. My mum who was my only emotional supporter died two years later and i've been drowning ever since. i still struggle to advocate for myself, i stuggle to create a routine. i've been told i could easily get help if i had a substance abuse problem. Nobody seems to know what to do with me, diagnosed AUADHD aged 50. still drowning one year later, does anyone know of advocates in nz?

[@thuggie1]

He reminds me so much like my older brother

[@Paisley...]

I enjoyed this episode very much, thank you to both of you!

[@maplelatte3366]

I have a suggestion for an episode along the same lines: Females, AFAB, and LGBTQ IA+ individuals being labeled BPD/EUPD while not even being heard when requesting autism assessment and expressing support needs for clearly autistic traits. I can't tell you how many "professionals" have looked at me like I have two heads when I have brought up the topic of autism, but "diagnosed" me with BPD when I don't meet the criteria (but do for autism) and without even really knowing me. I have been shut down in the middle of my first sentence while trying to explain my concerns more than once.

[@jacquizbak]

labels can't live with them n why should we{?} they r usually wrongly attached n create more confusion n misunderstanding ~ instead focus on ur inner self...learn to articulate queries daily at beginning &end of day simply write/record them n then ask for the univers to bring answer...then be open n intend to learn/be shown answers = NO TIMELINE tho eh!?!!12:42Pm8/23/2023

[@Iquey]

I'm not sure what country you're in, but if doctors are dismissive to you , ask them to record in your chart why they won't consider an autism diagnosis, and try to find a better doctor. We need to stop letting doctors just stamp us with the BPD diagnosis which basically is a short cut for "this person is crazy and oversensitive don't take them seriously." It's basically a diagnosis they give you when you have either autism or cptsd that they don't want to provide good accomodations or therapies for you and just get you on mood stabilizers or antipsychotics. As for mr. "The universe will answer" here in the comments, nobody likes a spiritual bypasser when they're dealing with real mental health struggles. Relying on spirituality and magic/metaphysics/divine timing too much can do more harm than good for people dealing with mental health and need concrete steps.

[@planetcaravan4040]

@@Iquey I agree.

[@marycooney303]

I think the tendency to diagnose women with bpd is a scam! Just my opinion, of course. I think a big portion of those women are autistic. My daughter is one of them. 😢

[@zebakhawaja]

It's better for them to check to see if you are autistic

[@andrearenee7845]

Thank you so much for speaking on this topic.

[@johnbillings5260]

I really enjoyed this talk. Aside from the athletics, I totally feel like I grew in his life!

[@prestonbaker420]

Recently diagnosed bipolar but I know I am autistic. Just because I have gone through trauma and have depression doesn’t mean I’m bipolar. If joe rogan, a productive person, wife died and got depressed is he bipolar because he was productive and super active than got depressed?? That’s what therapist think.

[@zeddeka]

There are quite a few studies now showing that bi polar and autism are often comorbid. If you have one, you are much more likely to also have the other one. They have the same underlying genetics.

[@prestonbaker420]

@@zeddeka most def they are similar, it’s like they have the same feeling just different reactions. Had a revisit to the doctor recently and she game me the autism and ptsd diagnosis. My childhood trauma made it hard to diagnose the first time, she literally wrote unable to diagnose the first time because I have had such a crazy life.

[@victoriaofthewattsfamily1198]

People need help identify how much is trauma from childhood. Not all is autism and adhd. All triggers are emotionally based. Loss of self worth and self esteem has to re- cooperated before you can see what’s left. We are also able to rewire our neuro pathways through daily affirmations. I have done this with my self and my son and it has helped us significantly.

[@winstonthomas4576]

Wow! I can actually see this and agree in many ways!

[@marthamurphy7940]

This was really interesting, even for an old lady like me! Good video!

[@PeterParker-fx9dl]

Listening to Brandon talk about how it feels for him when he trains sounded like he was describing me when I train.

[@morgainebrigid]

I almost cried at 58:00. I believed for most of my life that "tone of voice" was not a real thing, but somenting my mother made up so she'd have a excuse to misinterpret everything I said.

[@PrismYuuzuki]

I’m diagnosed AuDHD and bipolar. I guess because the medications have really helped decrease & reduce the severity of meltdowns, anxiety, irritability, and racing thoughts. But I still struggle with the social side of things, eye contact, crowds, loud noises, and I have stimming behaviors.

[@jillanderson18]

Great Words!

[@micheals1992]

I remember cycling up a well known climb. I averaged 17mph I got in the top 10 with professional cyclists. I also blacked out when I finished it 😱

[@micheals1992]

Roid rage without the steroids 😅. I remember when a car overtook me on a blind corner, I was overcome with rage and accelerated to 45mph tailing this car 😮. I didn't even know I could do 45mph on a bicycle. I really need to start training again. I'm gaining weight, I'm not sure if it's because of the mirtazapine but I love cycling but I'm staying at home drowning as explained in this video. 😅

[@talvinfarquhar4570]

Also a question I have is how to deal with family that says to you all the time you can overcome this and that sorta things always making it like autism is bad

[@jacquizbak]

until one actually walks a mile in ur shoes [lives/feels/sees exactly what u r experiencing] they are completely clueless n just guessing...4get them n move on seeking answers/info on ur own = u r here so this proves u know good info/researching skills eh!?!!12:37Pm8/23/2023

[@tillman40]

You will learn to manage…develop self programs and perfect them. Master projects mgmt skills, risk mgmt, finance skills life gets easier when you’re organized. Your anxiety will evolve into apathy which is fine. Pursue your own interests, ignore the culture, do you …

[@HigoIndico]

Get a new family.

[@MyFriendRuth]

I knew a Brandon from my hometown and sports camp who shared he was diagnosed bipolar! Now that I have learned more about autism, I can’t help but think he was very likely misdiagnosed and is autistic.

[@simonretallick9800]

I am fine with my autism but would give anything to get well from ME

[@jacquizbak]

touche'...grateful u r open 2 learning/healing with the new info share eh!?!!12:25Pm8/23/2023

[@philuin9594]

I was diagnosed bipolar, then bpd, turns out I have ADHD. My children are mostly ASD and ADHD!

[@gigahorse1475]

That’s completely absurd they misdiagnosed you that badly! I personally know two people who have been misdiagnosed with bipolar but are actually autistic or ADHD. It makes me mad. I feel like they don’t take the bipolar diagnosis seriously. Even my psychiatrist suggested I have some weird version if bipolar rather than autism.

[@philuin9594]

@gigahorse1475 there's such a thing called bipolar denial they think you have it of you protest a diagnosis that's how nuts things get lol 😆

[@lisbethbird8268]

With all due respect, and sincere appreciation for this discussion; many commenters seem to believe that autism, ADHD, (auDHD) and bipolar disorder don't co-occur, but they actually do and not infrequently. As an example, recall how the old diagnostic criteria prohibited autism diagnosis if ADHD was present, but in reality having both seems almost more common than not for people born autistic. I think one problem in differential and correct diagnosis is that professionals always want to medicate possible bipolar first so as to avoid inducing mania with stimulants. It's understandable, but I think in cases where bipolar disorder (which is *defined* by occurrence of manic/hypomanic episodes) is not *very* clearly and obviously in evidence, and ADHD is, and autism might be, treat the ADHD first! Imo, some doctors are way too willing to prescribe bipolar/antipsychotic medications without being willing to re-evaluate the effectiveness or lack thereof within a reasonable time frame and even on a regular basis.

[@homegrownroots5431]

Big pharma pushing for profits.

[@mistressofstones]

I have oral stimming needs. I sucked my thumb until I was 12. I also have bitten my nails very badly in the past and now just chew the flesh next to the nail. Mum was keen for me to stop suckinh my thumb before high school (understandable!) So she bribed me with getting my ears peirced. As soon as I started high school i started smoking. I now vape, and i am trying to find a healthy and socially acceptable oral stim thats satisfying and its so hard. Kind of wish the thumb sucking had been allowed to remain as it was the healthiest option of them all I think. Youre right that the caring profession people I encountered had nothing really helpful for me. It was all about manipulation of my behaviour and pathologising me. I feel like no one ever asked me what my therapeutic goals were, not really. It would have been hard to get to that for the professional but im not sure anyone tried. They assumed i should want to be normal but i wanted liberation. I stupidily assumed others would want that for me, but its not really a regular perspective.

[@franchescairby4834]

They tried to tell me I was bipolar. Joke was on them, psychology is my special interest. I know what mania is and isn't. Got diagnosed as ASD 1.

[@Maaracha]

I know I've been misdiagnosed.

[@LewisEthridge_95]

I am diagnosed with autism OCD AND bipolar. I can't tell anyone anything.

[@terraverlage6834]

What areas might an undiagnosed HFA young adult male recognize SPD issues specifically impeding his post secondary studies/pursuits ❓Thank-you.

[@alderoth01]

I was diagnosed with Bipolar II disorder when I was going through rehab 4 years ago. Now my therapist is thinking I need to get tested for ASD. Sadly the VA doesn't do mental health testing, or the VA here where I live doesn't do mental health testing, so I have to look for somewhere that can allow me to be tested for free.

[@talvinfarquhar4570]

These videos are so comforting im autistic and I'm 17 ATM..pls could I get medication names to help cope .... thanks

[@jacquizbak]

heard great things about the psilocybin macro/micro dosing[?] remember that the teen years r some of the toughest =HUGE LEARNING/GROWTH SPURTS...learn what u can do to cultivate simple joy in ur life at thge moment [gratitude/intending journal works 4 me] my nature/walks n any pets teach us to just really being in the moment present = NOT IN FUTURE/PAST MISTAKES. i learn from my dogs to be totally feelings/enjoying the present moment...best yet studying wildlife has helped immensely eh!?!!12:33Pm8/23/2023

[@gigahorse1475]

Ask a psychiatrist. Random people here can’t help you.

[@JENTHINKSO]

​@@jacquizbakI'm like you in that I also get a lot of perspective from dogs and nature. One of my favorite documentaries is called "My Life As A Turkey". It was an episode on the PBS series Nature. I'll bet you'd love it the way I do. The same guy did another study with deer. I found both fascinating, thought-provoking, and grounding.

[@cassidyn77]

Im only very recently diagnosed AuDHD and enjoyed listening. You've totally lost me on the sport/training though. I do like pushing hard as possible when I'm doing a task but I need a more tangible purpose to get that drive. But I want to train i just don't have the drive, but I'd throw that energy into physical work

[@Rosemorganblack]

I was diagnosed with Bipolar 2 20 years ago and now waiting for ADHD/Autism assessments. I feel much more attuned to Autism than Bipolar diagnoses. Apparently, I have no facial or body features for different emotions and a monotone voice plus all the other symptoms. I am hoping it all comes to light soon.

[@sciencenotsrigma]

I was also diagnosed with bipolar disorder and am autistic. I think both diagnoses are probably accurate, in my case, but can definitely see how misdiagnosis happens. We need more and better autism screening and practitioners who are well educated about what autism looks like! One thing that makes me think I probably have bipolar disorder is that I don’t know another autistic person, nor have I heard from one who is prone to spending sprees! I have experienced what were explained as delusions, which is not a feature of autism, though being highly imaginative can be. I can see how some of the hallmarks of each condition can be mistaken for the other. I say, “condition,” rather than, “disorder,” because autism is a condition of some of our existence (not like a medical condition, but a part of our perspective). I’m not convinced that it’s a disorder.

[@titusandrew946]

11:22 adderall can make the depressive state seem distant. I think this video could have a negative impact…

[@micheals1992]

I do find it quite odd that I can have really good conversations with the autistic woman at my work. Sometimes it feels like we're the only normal people in the world and its other people who refuse to talk outside of a "normal" narrative. I always think of Simon and Garfunkels song Sound of silence and the lines "people talking without speaking" and "people hearing without listening".

[@mrtoobs]

Nice conversation:)

[@talvinfarquhar4570]

The part about cooking I really relate to

[@dianemarie9d9]

'"Complex". Katie Gregson McLeod. is my theme song.😊

[@sandytaggart6947]

My workout music is eminem. I relate to him so much and find it motivating. (if you are on the fence, listen to legacy by eminem)

[@jillanderson18]

I Think there is some back ground noise. ? About nine minutes in

[@edwinbrophy3287]

Amen.

[@lauriemrdjan]

Klonopin worked wonders for me and no one wants to prescribe it long term. I’ve also been on every SSRI, SNRI, anti-psychotic. Nothing worked except low dose Klonopin and no dr I have will allow me to stay on it long term. :😢

[@JENTHINKSO]

Sometimes doctors don't inform us in a way that we understand - or they don't bother to tell us much at all. Did your doctor tell you that Klonopin is within a class of drugs (benzodiazapines) known to be ineffective when used long-term? In fact, it is known to literally generate anxiety when used long-term. It's also highly addictive.

[@lauriemrdjan]

@@JENTHINKSO yes, they did and I did not have that effect.

[@leilap2495]

I recommend looking into clonidine. I take it at bedtime for sleep, ADHD, and relaxation. According to Dr. Russel Barkley and the Cleveland Clinic, it is effective for rejection sensitive dysphoria. My seven year old takes it too. Without it, the psychiatrist would probably keep pushing for an antipsychotic. It has improved his life so much, and mine of course. After I started it, I realized how much it could help him too. I absolutely need my stimulant, but the addition of the non-stimulant made my treatment even better. And of course, it isn’t hard to have it prescribed and there are no studies showing long term detrimental effects like with the benzodiazepines.

[@leilap2495]

1 more thing: There are newer SNRIs that are much more easily tolerated. I got GeneSight testing done to explain the differences in how I experienced medication effects. It helped guide my care. I am on one of the newest SNRI and have modified my dosing based on the time of my menstrual cycle and my intermediately slow metabolizer status.

[@lauriemrdjan]

@@leilap2495 I want to get that testing done so bad but at $350, I have to wait a while to afford it.

[@AmberAmber]

Yep❤

[@micheals1992]

I gave up body shaving because it takes me 2 hours to do it and needs doing again within 24 hours 😅

[@stellar52]

I recommend Incubus' song "Make yourself"

[@12342087]

Adhd NVLD ❤ Thx for sharing

[@ingridduncan6686]

I wrote a poem: my mask of indifference

[@innovationsanonymous8841]

The salt story demonstrates, e.g., the double-empathy problem, and why we should interact with NTs the same as we would interact with a dark triad personality type. Other things, such as the employment problem indicate that NTs "live in their own little world." For example, they say that the unemployment rate is really good rn, but our unemployment rate is between 50-90%. Based on this, we can see that NTs are either out of touch with our reality, or... see the dark triad problem ^^^. They say that humans have left behind natural selection. However, I would argue that selective pressures continue to be high for NDs. We've simply had more millennia subject to natural selection, ergo it follows that we would be "more evolved" and generally insulated from the rat utopia effect. They say that, in the age of automation, humans will be relegated to janitorial roles, caring for our robot overlords. This is consistent with polytropic profiles: in my daily life, I regularly interact with a handful of NTs, and I can guarantee that, if I say anything about STEM, they will reply with their desire to complete menial tasks such as chores. Monotropic profiles are not well-suited to such roles. Instead, we are naturally inclined to hyperfocus, "special interests," and divergent thinking, offering intellectual capabilities in areas where AIs are currently limited, namely creativity and problem solving.

[@autisticautumn7379]

My parents thought I had bipolar .

[@robynsmith2709]

I'm definitely biploar because the medication works wonders. Im Audhd and Bipolar1.

[@tam4givin]

Have you had the DNA gene metabolism tests? They can save your life!

[@abustanoby]

Can you do this yourself?

[@heedmydemands]

❤

[@EricAllenGriff]

Drive yes! Thank You!

[@triinpokk9198]

While soulsearching in my 20s i misdiagnosed myself with bipolar disorder. I have ADHD.

[@herewegokids7]

I thought bipolar initially but I'm about to get assessed for ADHD

[@gamerchristina1079]

💪💪❤️❤️‼️

[@giampierofrischi527]

Jesus. All he says I have lived

[@Erisactivations]

It’s Trauma, NOT Autism!

[@darknightsoup]

@@Erisactivations Most autistic people do have CPTSD.

[@HigoIndico]

Undiagnosed autism and trauma goes hand in hand.