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Instagram Page

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Camouflaging Disorders: The Investigation of Psychiatric Disorders masking a Autism Diagnosis

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Camouflaging Disorders: The Investigation of Psychiatric Disorders masking a Autism Diagnosis

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Mazzone, Luigi, et al. “Psychiatric Comorbidities in Asperger Syndrome and High Functioning Autism: Diagnostic Challenges.” Annals of General Psychiatry, vol. 11, no. 1, June 2012, p. 16. BioMed Central, doi:10.1186/1744-859X-11-16.

In “Psychiatric Comorbidities in Asperger Syndrome and High Functioning Autism: Diagnostic Challenges, the authors discuss the several psychiatric conditions that have been documented in studied in comorbidity with Autism. The specific subsections of Autism include Asper Syndrome (AS) and High Functioning Autism (HFA) which are examined in connection with psychiatric comorbidities such as depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), and attention deficient hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). I plan to use this source for citing studies that have been conducted about the connection of comorbidities and a ASD diagnosis. I will ground my research in the scholars’ examinations to frame the social media posts. This article relates to the social media posts as the evaluated disorders are the same disorders that @autisticelves was diagnosed with in their teen years.

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The social media post pictured portrays @autisticselves diagnosis journey from her teen years to 44 years old. In the post, the author demonstrates when they were diagnosed with different mental disorders and the time period that it occurred. This social media post is connected to my diagnosed topic as the author shows that all of her diagnoses prior have led her to find that she has had always had Autism. Additionally, this post illuminates the vast time period which ultimately allowed for the creator to be diagnosed with Autism and DID.

In the caption, the author shares their life difficulties such as interacting socially and diagnoses of DID. As Autism research was evolving, @autisticselves started to think that she had Autism when her children were diagnosed. Following learning this information, they were evaluated and were finally diagnosed at the age of 42. This diagnosis allowed for the author to receive therapies and supports. 2 years later, the author was reassessed for Autism and DID, which both were confirmed. According to the author, it took 45 years to receive a full diagnosis and they plan to use their platform to raise awareness for her diagnosis.

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Are there more stories of Late Diagnoses with comorbidities that I could compare?

Is there a common age range when people are late diagnosed?

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It has taken 45 years to be given an accurate and complete diagnosis. When I was a teenager, Autism was not as well understood as it is today. Despite my therapists writing detailed reports listing difficulties in social interaction and obsessive behaviour, no one ever considered that I might be autistic. In my late 20’s my Alters started revealing themselves to me and my diagnosis of DID seemed to provide all the answers and with it the solutions - all I had to do was integrate my alters and all would be fine. For 12 years I believed I no longer had alters and went on to start a family. After my children were diagnosed as Autistic I discovered I too was Autistic and I started to question if any of my previous diagnoses were true - including whether I ever even actually had alters. Not surprisingly, my hibernating and dormant Alters quickly re-emerged to prove that not only was my DID diagnosis accurate but that I still very much have alters. Now I know I am Autistic and also have DID. Having an accurate and full diagnosis is so important otherwise the therapies and support offered to a person can never fully help. I describe myself as having Autistic DID because I have 2 diagnoses and both are equally important. It took 45 years to get to this point and I hope that by posting and raising awareness other people can be given the diagnoses they needsooner. #actuallydid #actuallyautistic #autismacceptance #accuratediagnosis #actuallydissociativeidentitydisorder #autisticselves #autisticDID #diagnosisjourney #lateautismdiagnosis #lateautisticdiagnosis #lateautisticdiagnosis #lateautismawarensspost

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For my final project, I will be continuing my research of Late Autism Diagnoses however will be adding to my research how mental disorders can mask an eventual Autism diagnosis. I will be using a Timeline to demonstrate at what ages @autisticselves was diagnosed with each disorder. If I am able to input information from my secondary sources about the cost of a delayed autism diagnosis, I will put it in the Timeline.