In this video, I share tricks and tips to Vacation with a chronic condition.
If This is the Future of Autism Research, it’s Time to Give up.
Reasons Why Everyone Isn’t a ‘Little Autistic’
I wasn’t going to upload this because a foggy mind blocked my clarity to think or speak clearly. I often lose my train of thought and am not very engaging. Even when writing this, I struggle to find the words I need! But welcome to my ever-changing Autism…and lack of sleep! Despite this, it is an important topic to cover, as I am not the only one who has had someone respond when they find out I have Autism with ‘everyone is a little Autistic’.
No link found between popular diabetes medication and suicide
There has been concern that common diabetes drugs could increase the risk of suicide and self-harm. A new study led by researchers at Karolinska Institutet.
GLP-1 analogues are drugs used by millions of people worldwide to lower blood sugar levels. They are primarily used to treat diabetes, but medications like Ozempic have also been found to be effective against obesity, which has contributed to their growing popularity.
Both American and European drug regulators have simultaneously cautioned about potential risks associated with the drugs.
Last year, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) launched an investigation into approximately 150 reported potential cases of suicidal thoughts and self-injury linked to the use of GLP-1 analogues.
The investigation concluded in the spring. Based on the limited data available at the time, it was determined that there were no obvious connections. Researchers at the Karolinska Institutet can now further support this conclusion. They have analyzed large amounts of data from people treated with GLP-1 analogues in Sweden and Denmark.
“We found no clear link between the use of the drugs and an increased risk of suicide, self-harm, or depression and anxiety-related disorders. This is reassuring,” says Björn Pasternak, principal researcher at the Department of Medicine, Solna, Karolinska Institutet, and one of the study’s lead authors.
The data includes around 300,000 adults aged 18–84 who began treatment with either GLP-1 analogs or SGLT2 inhibitors, another type of diabetes medication, between 2013 and 2021.
After a mean follow-up period of just over two years, there was no apparent increase in the proportion of individuals who committed suicide, engaged in self-harm, or suffered from depression or anxiety-related disorders among users of GLP-1 receptor agonists.
Peter Ueda, an assistant professor at the same department and one of the main authors of the study, emphasizes the importance of conducting larger studies to collect more data.
“It is important to specifically examine people with previous self-harm or suicidal thoughts as they are at increased risk and it is possible that the drug’s safety profile differs in this group,” he says.
A new study reveals harrowing experiences of misdiagnosis of borderline personality disorder in autistic adults
The study used interpretive phenomenological analysis and involved conducting one-to-one, semi-structured interviews with 10 participants. Each participant shared overlooked autistic traits from childhood and explained how being misdiagnosed with borderline personality disorder (BPD) had a significant impact on them. This research sheds light on the difficulties of differentiating between autism and BPD, particularly among autistic women who are frequently misdiagnosed.
In recent years, numerous studies have delved into the links between autism and BPD, revealing significant overlaps and challenges in differentiating between these two conditions. Notably, many individuals on the autism spectrum, especially women, have reported being misdiagnosed with BPD.
Stigma and diagnostic overshadowing
Many participants believed that being diagnosed with BPD (borderline personality disorder) led to significant stigma and diagnostic overshadowing, resulting in harmful experiences. They felt that healthcare professionals often neglected their true condition and imposed treatments that were not only unhelpful but also detrimental.
Harmful treatments and masking
“Treating BPD by encouraging the ‘masking’ of behaviours was found to be harmful. Masking, or hiding true autistic traits, has been linked to an increased risk of suicide among autistic individuals. Participants felt powerless, unable to challenge the BPD diagnosis even when they believed it was inaccurate.”
The transformative impact of correct diagnosis
Getting diagnosed with autism was described as “life-changing,” providing profound validation and enabling individuals to embrace their authentic selves. The autism diagnosis shifted the emphasis from attempting to alter their identity to recognizing and encouraging their unique qualities, leading to a considerable improvement in their mental health and overall well-being.
Barriers to autism diagnosis
Participants encountered significant obstacles in obtaining autism assessments after being diagnosed with BPD, leading to delayed access to appropriate support and prolonged struggles.
Comparing stigma
While autism is stigmatized in society, it is distinctly different from the severe stigma associated with BPD. Autism stigma often questions competence, whereas BPD stigma implies individuals are broken and potentially harmful.
Dr. Bruce Tamilson, the primary author of the study and a Psychiatry MSc student currently working as a consultant Neuropsychiatrist and Liaison Psychiatrist in London, added, “This research is crucial in understanding the issue of misdiagnosis and its significant impact on autistic individuals. By sharing these stories, the study aims to humanize and improve mental health services, nurturing a more inclusive and empathetic healthcare system. The experiences of the participants serve as a strong call to action for clinicians and researchers, highlighting the necessity for accurate diagnoses and appropriate support for all individuals.”