is it autism or borderline personality disorder? (exploring psychiatric label stigma with dr. jay watts)

In this thought-provoking episode, Dr. Jay Watts and I dive into the unique challenges faced by women with autism and explore how common traits are often misunderstood or overlooked in psychiatric settings. We discuss why women are less likely to be diagnosed with autism, how “masking” and “camouflaging” can conceal autistic traits in women and girls, and the impact of these strategies on mental health. From “special interests” to subtle social cues, we explore how autism manifests differently in women—and why these differences matter in both diagnosis and treatment.Dr. Watts also shares insights into the deeply misunderstood labels of BPD (Borderline Personality Disorder) and cPTSD, uncovering how trauma often underpins these traits and why individuals with these diagnoses experience chronic feelings of emptiness, self-doubt, and even suicidality. We discuss the often overlooked risks of DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy) and how crucial informed consent is in psychiatric treatment, particularly around therapy choices and medications. Dr. Jay Watts, a respected clinical psychologist, psychotherapist, lecturer, and mental health activist based in London, brings her expertise from decades in clinical practice and academic roles within the UK’s National Health Service.Topics explored in this episode:Why autism diagnoses are often missed in womenThe impact of “masking” and “camouflaging” strategies on mental healthIdentifying unique “special interests” in women with autismThe stigma surrounding BPD and cPTSD and its roots in traumaUnderstanding the emotional toll of chronic emptiness and suicidalityPotential risks of DBT and the need for informed consent in psychiatric careTune in for an insightful discussion that challenges conventional perspectives on mental health diagnoses, autism, and trauma, and empowers listeners to seek deeper understanding and agency in their own mental health journeys.JAY’S RECOMMENDED RESOURCES:■ Follow Jay on Twitter @Shrink_at_Large■ Jay’s articles about BPD and trauma can be found here■ Protest letter about removing BPD from the diagnostic manual, ICD11 can be found here■ A Simple Guide To Avoid Receiving A Diagnosis Of ‘Personality Disorder’Enjoyed this episode? Explore more as a Premium Submarine. Dive deep into hundreds of hours of exclusive content on Patreon, including my original BPD recovery series, guided meditations, and much more. Click here to preview the premium collections you’ll unlock access to for as little as a couple of cups of coffee a month. Learn more and join at backfromtheborderline.com.The information contained in this podcast episode is for educational and entertainment purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for treatment or consultation with a licensed mental health professional. acast+ https://plus.acast.com/s/back-from-the-borderline. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Om Podcasten

I don’t want to talk to your personality; I want to talk to your soul. Imagine if your most painful and debilitating mental health symptoms and self-sabotaging behaviors aren’t evidence of 'disorder' or 'dysfunction', but adaptive strategies that once kept you safe. My goal is to help you shift from asking ‘What’s wrong with me?’ to ‘What happened to me?’The word ‘borderline’ in this podcast isn’t about psychiatric labels. It’s about coming back from the inner psychological brink we all experience. Everyone has found themselves on the edge, in that liminal space where the old self falls apart and the new Self emerges. Here, we explore what it means to undergo true emotional alchemy: that ancient and primordial process of falling apart, confronting the underworld of our psyche, and falling back together into someone stronger, wiser, and more whole.Many highly sensitive people who identify with the seemingly never-ending list of diagnostic mental health labels contained within ‘the bible of psychiatry’ (the DSM) share the same underlying sense of being irreparably broken, disconnected from their intuition, and paralyzed by life’s existential questions. I believe the resulting—and perfectly understandable—chronic feelings of emptiness and spiritual starvation are the TRUE causes of our current collective ‘mental health crisis.’ Together, we’ll dive into depth psychology, mythology, human consciousness, critical psychiatry, and the impact of trauma to help you begin the process of emotional alchemy. This exploration will help you get to the root cause of your suffering and free yourself from the toxic shame, limiting beliefs, and mental programming that have kept you locked in the chains of your past.In an era where mental health and spirituality are too often commercialized, I’m not here as a guru with a quick fix to sell you. I don’t believe anyone is ever truly ‘healed’ or ‘cured.’ There is no return to some mythical state of pre-trauma purity, but rather a continuous spiral of unbecoming, unlearning, and transformation. As a fellow seeker, I will be there in your ear, walking alongside you on your path toward wholeness as a sort of parasocial big sister. That, I can promise. By integrating the concepts we explore together, you’ll begin to see that anyone—even you—can come back from the borderline.CRAVING MORE? Visit backfromtheborderline.com to dive into my universe, connect with me, access my Patreon, and discover more about my journey and work. Don’t forget to follow Back from the Borderline so new episodes on Tuesdays and Thursdays automatically drop into your podcast feed. acast+ https://plus.acast.com/s/back-from-the-borderline. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.