Feb 27, 2021
Beth Rees is currently waiting for her autism assessment after being initially diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder.
She’s a mental health blogger in her thirties, and lives in Caerphilly in South Wales, where she also works for a local charity.
She’s hoping that sharing her story will help other autistic people who have been misdiagnosed with BPD.
In my conversation with Beth we talk about:
➡ Being diagnosed with BPD, then realising that the diagnosis doesn’t fit
➡ The journey of discovery - discovering all the things about ourselves that are actually autistic traits
➡ Questioning mental health diagnoses - is it depression or autistic burnout?
➡ Experiencing imposter syndrome when you don’t yet have a formal diagnosis
➡ Why parents need to be asked better questions during the diagnosis interview
Squarepeg is a podcast in which neurodivergent women, and trans and nonbinary people, explore navigating a neurotypical world and share their insights, challenges and successes.
I hope that these conversations will be inspiring and thought provoking, open you up to new ways of thinking about being neurodivergent, and help you feel more connected to a worldwide community of people with similar experiences.
I’m Amy Richards, and after being diagnosed autistic at the age of 37 I’m now on a mission to learn more about different perspectives and issues around being a neurodivergent adult in a world that feels like it doesn’t quite fit.
EPISODE LINKS:
Information about BPD from Mind UK: https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/types-of-mental-health-problems/borderline-personality-disorder-bpd/about-bpd/
From Mind UK - What to do if you suspect your diagnosis is wrong: https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/types-of-mental-health-problems/personality-disorders/why-is-it-controversial/#CouldMyDiagnosisBeWrong
Beth’s blog: www.justasquarepeg.com
Her Instagram: https://instagram.com/justasquarepegblog
Facebook page: https://facebook.com/justasquarepeg
Twitter: https://twitter.com/justasquarepeg
Books:
Women and Girls with Autism Spectrum Disorder (Sarah Hendrickx)
Spectrum Women: Walking to the Beat of Autism (Barb Cook and Dr Michelle Garnett)
Autism in Heels: The Untold Story of a Female Life on the Spectrum (Jennifer Cook O'Toole)
I Think I Might Be Autistic: A Guide to Autism Spectrum Disorder Diagnosis and Self-Discovery for Adults (Cynthia Kim)
If you'd like to connect or get in touch with Squarepeg, you can find me on:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/squarepeg.community/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/squarepegautism
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/squarepegautism/
Or on my website: https://squarepeg.community/
Become a member of the Squarepeg community on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/squarepegpodcast