[Giraffe101]

Hello everyone,

I am woman that was diagnosed bipolar at 35 and it was definitely one of those this-makes-so-much-sense! moments. It was a rough ride, dealing with hospitals, doctors and medication but I've pulled through and I'm back to normal. I've established a very repetitive routine, which I love and makes me feel safe and in control. Part of me enjoys not having to be social due to the pandemic. My therapist praises my very logical, methodical CBT approach to things. I like routine, logic and patterns.

Once I realized I was bipolar, and particularly after I turned 30, I stopped trying to please everybody - I very much wanted to be liked, to be like other people, to be normal. Not understanding why some people hated me and thought I was full of myself while I just had genuine enthusiasm for what I was talking about. In school I quickly learned to hide my quirkiness and my intelligence: "nobody likes a smartass, Giraffe101!".

But realizing I was camouflaging my entire life, mimicking others' behaviours, having hyper sensitivity and over-empathy (I want to help everybody), the emotional meltdowns, that is definitely in-line with autism in women. I know it is not talked about as autism in men: the incidence is higher for men and the symptoms are different as well. Reading up on camouflaging and how I struggled all my life to understanding social situations, I think I might be a high-functioning autistic woman with bipolar disorder. The interesting, puzzling part is whether I am mainly autistic with bipolar symptoms or the other way around. I understand it is impossible to individually isolate and characterize mental disorders, and that there is definitely some overlap - autism is on a spectrum, as we know, and there are subtypes of bipolar cathegories...

So, I guess what I wanted to ask (sorry for the long post!) was: are there other ladies with autism/bipolar disorder/both here? If so, how is it for you? Do you face the same issues I mentioned?

And ultimately I think what I want to know relates to treatment: does your doctor treat you for the condition most prominent (autism or bipolar disorder) or goes around trying to address both? I do an anti-depressant, an anti-psychotic and lithium and I am quite well, bar the physical symptoms of lithium (hands shaking, hair loss, heavy thirst and urination). I would really like to replace lithium but I'm obviously fearful of manic episodes. I saw that for autism valproate is usually prescribed. Does anybody have any experience with that?

Thank you for reading, I would really like to hear from others going through the same or knowing someone who does.

[Mountaindewed]

I was born female but am now living my life as a male. I am bipolar and autistic. I got diagnosed bipolar when I was 13 and autistic when I was 15. I am in my late 20’s and I was non verbal until I was 4 so I masked my symptoms pretty well until they became too much when I turned 13. I personally don’t have an issue being autistic. I feel like mental health workers are more eager to work with me and medical workers are nice as well. They just chalk up my aloofness to my autism but they do take me seriously regarding medical conditions. My bipolar barely gets recognized by anyone. I find people to be understanding and non judge mental. I do get talked down a lot by people who don’t know me because I’m shy and I don’t talk a lot and I look young. It can be a bit annoying. I have worked before and the younger people I worked with don’t always get me and sometimes think I’m strange. The older people I worked with really liked me because I don’t get involved in any drama.

I feel like benzos are easier to get if you are autistic verses some other diagnosis. I haven’t tried the med you mentioned.

I’ve also had insurance companies pay for my surgery’s and meds and I think it’s because I’m bipolar and autistic and nothing big. I’ve heard with certain diagnosis people can be turned down by their insurance for medical help.

[Giraffe101]

Originally Posted by Mountaindewed

I have worked before and the younger people I worked with don’t always get me and sometimes think I’m strange. The older people I worked with really liked me because I don’t get involved in any drama.

Thank you so much for sharing your experience Mountaindewed That's a lot to take in, diagnosed so young, happy you are being supported by medical staff when needed.

I just highlighted that quote because I have the exact same issue with people my age not really "getting" me, while older ones love me to bits - maybe also because I am quiet and just get on with my business.


I honestly feel like realizing I might be autistic gives me some very needed closure and peace of mind. It made sense in so many ways when I realized I was bipolar - and I think in my case I'm more dominantly bipolar -, understanding myself in light of autism is a huge relief. I now understand my actions and thought processes better and in insight all the coping mechanisms I developed over the years to avoid standing out so much.

Re: medication, I was prescribed benzos once but it drained the life out of me so much that I swore never again, go figure. I'm seeing my doctor soon, haven't really discussed this possible autism diagnosis, curious to hear his thoughts.