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Does late diagnosis lead to trauma?

tintal
over 5 years ago

I think it can, and there are a few articles online that explore how autism relates to trauma and PTSD. Compared to neurotypical people, trauma in autistic people has different causes and plays out in different ways.

Some examples: 

  • Exclusion, exploitation or mistreatment by peers, leading to social phobia and mistrust of others
  • Isolation
  • Forcing oneself to put up with loud noises and bright light
  • Pressure and criticism from parents unaware of child's underlying limitations
  • Not knowing how to manage one's stress
  • Forcefully masking stress-relieving behaviours like stimming 
  • Suicidal thoughts in children, with no ability to rationalise or identify the root of these thoughts

Although there is a little research on the topic, I think it deserves more. I would guess that the above examples are all risk factors for depression, stress, alcoholism, heart disease, and a whole host of other health problems.

Parents
  • over 5 years ago

    The above examples all relate to my own experience. But I'd be interested to hear about the experiences of other late-diagnosed adults. Does any of this chime with you too? What have you done to heal?

Reply
  • over 5 years ago

    The above examples all relate to my own experience. But I'd be interested to hear about the experiences of other late-diagnosed adults. Does any of this chime with you too? What have you done to heal?

Children
  • over 5 years ago in reply to tintal

    I've only been diagnosed at 44, but can't say I'm traumatised. I probably should be as growing up with a psychiatric mother was a recipe for disaster.

    I do have issues with unexpected things happening and thought I was really traumatised by the experiences in childhood. 

    Am going to read 's link as I do think the two are intertwined.