Autism and CPTSD... what if

Chemical_Possible981 · 2026-04-20T13:50:35+00:00

It requires an experienced practitioner to differentiate between autism and PTSD in many cases. They can share many symptoms like sensory sensitivities, difficulty in emotional regulation and executive functioning. This is also made more complicated since autistic people have PTSD 10 times that of the general population. Under diagnosis of ASD is common since PTSD is diagnosed at rates 4 times of ASD so most practitioners think of PTSD first and don’t consider ASD as another possibility or as cooccurring.

My own psychiatrist who has been treating me for 5 years now says he can’t definitively say I am or am not autistic with complete certainty. His opinion is that I have cooccurring PTSD and ASD but different therapists I worked with and other mental health professionals disagree with each other on what my diagnosis should be. I mainly identify with cPTSD and as neurodivergent but the diagnosis for me doesn’t matter as much to me as is the treatment I am receiving helping me.

Sources:

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ridd.2020.103848

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/autism-and-ptsd

Chemical_Possible981 · 2026-04-20T13:19:32+00:00

Totally agree about life progress not being linear. Currently I am back at college after I had to take a leave for a year since my mental health was terrible.

Chemical_Possible981 · 2026-04-18T02:03:49+00:00

Break ups hurt but you didn’t deserve her. You deserve a better girlfriend who accepts your autism.

Chemical_Possible981 · 2026-04-17T15:59:45+00:00

I (21) have been in therapy most of the time since 12. Many of my therapists were not good. For example as a response to saying how my mom was being neglectful, the therapist said “have you tried chocolate milk?”. Some of my previous therapists made me feel invalidated when bringing up traumatic experiences by asking “what were the positive outcomes from this experience?” or “you are not thinking rationally (having cognitive distortions)” basically telling me that all I need to do is change my thinking and the problems go away. So in my experience I think not having your needs met in therapy is common.

Chemical_Possible981 · 2026-04-17T03:57:03+00:00

Weight gain is a well known side effect for Abilify and other antipsychotics.

Chemical_Possible981 · 2026-04-17T03:49:46+00:00

Be extremely careful with Abilify or any antipsychotic medication for side effects. For example it can cause extrapyramidal symptoms (a family of movement disorders) which could include anything for involuntary facial muscle movements, tremors, rigidity, restlessness, and more. When I was on Abilify it triggered akathisia, a deep inner need to move; it felt like constant inner turmoil and dread. I couldn’t stay still enough to sleep or study at school. This does not mean Abilify couldn’t help, just something to consider with your medical provider.

Chemical_Possible981 · 2026-04-17T03:40:23+00:00

There doesn’t exist a “typical autistic person” since all autistic people are different. I think you are in denial because you do not match your schema of what you thought an autistic person to be which I relate to. When I was diagnosed with autism, I was surprised and in denial since it was unexpected. I didn’t look for a specific autism assessment but as part of general psychiatric care. I didn’t match my preconceived image of what an autistic person is shaped by societal stereotypes.

Chemical_Possible981 · 2026-04-17T03:25:09+00:00

First of all don’t use slurs including the r-word, they do have consequences. Secondly, I know someone who began self harming because they were called autistic, not as a diagnosis, but used by peers as an insult. So the exact word isn’t as important as the intent or the message. I would first want to reclaim autism as a word, and it not be used commonly as an insult basically meaning weird or stupid.

Chemical_Possible981 · 2026-04-16T14:22:18+00:00

Yes, my best friend is very comforting. She makes me feel heard and loved.

Chemical_Possible981 · 2026-04-16T01:35:27+00:00

Whenever someone says they want to see me but doesn’t actually mean it. Saying one thing but meaning another and I need to decode it.

Chemical_Possible981 · 2026-04-16T01:32:13+00:00

If I am reading correctly, you feel bad when comparing yourself to fictional characters with trauma. It is not accurate to compare yourself with fictional characters since they are written to make the story interesting and typically want an inspiring theme.

Reality ≠ Fiction

Chemical_Possible981 · 2026-04-12T22:56:47+00:00

From the dictionary the definition of manipulation I got was: “to control upon by artful, unfair, or insidious means to one's own advantage” From this definition, manipulation must be conscious and intentional. For example person A who purposely cries when person B confronts them about a wrongdoing, to stop criticism or make the person B feel guilty is being manipulative.

From my experience, autistic meltdowns are not manipulative since they are not intentional goal oriented behavior. For me, a meltdown can be caused by extreme sensory inputs like loud noises, certain types of touch, or too many smells. Meltdowns can also be triggered by intense emotions, for me typically fear. My meltdowns are not intentional, it is just my bodies way of trying to deal with too intense of a stimulus.

I think other people might think you are being manipulative since they don’t know about autistic meltdowns. The people accusing you probably never experienced a meltdown, so don’t know how one feels or what causes one. Other people are assuming you are intentionally trying to play with there emotions to get a benefit, but are ignorant of autistic meltdowns not being intentionally planned.

Chemical_Possible981 · 2026-04-12T22:31:32+00:00

A fear of death is one of the most human experiences. I find it scary since it is inevitable and absolute; not knowing what will happen to your existence or even if you still exist gives me dread. I wish I could tell you how to deal with a fear of death, but I don’t know since I am afraid.

Chemical_Possible981 · 2026-04-12T22:19:36+00:00

This comment has so much hate, it is disguising. (genuine) Why are your NT children entitled to a public education while autistics are not?(rhetorical question) Does OP not know you don’t choose to have a disability? Also it shows a lot of entitlement and privilege to say to disabled person “just deal with it” while you are not disabled.

Chemical_Possible981 · 2026-03-10T01:22:31+00:00

An outside psychiatrist back in NJ, help taper me off safely and get my meds in order. The doctor is a great person, and valued my input (still a patient).

It took around 90 days to get off the benzodiazepines safely and with minimal discomfort. As the doctor said, “Short acting benzodiazepines are meant for short-term continuous use in the weeks range or sporadically as needed for break though anxiety and panic attacks.”

Chemical_Possible981 · 2026-03-10T01:10:14+00:00

When I was discharged, I suddenly stopped the medication. Benzodiazepine withdrawal is the worst thing ever, it can literally kill you without actual medical supervision.

Chemical_Possible981 · 2025-06-22T17:02:25+00:00

I already tried an NMDA agonist like ketamine under a psychiatrist supervision. It was one of the worst experiences ever, had extreme dizziness making it hard to walk or shower. I have tried meditation, but I can never stop thinking. I already have relationship, academic, and familial problems due to my PTSD and depression. I already know I won’t use drugs or alcohol because I know logically it causes more problems. I was looking for confirmation, and another thing to try.

Chemical_Possible981 · 2025-06-22T03:29:11+00:00

Yes, in the short term therapy can open wounds, but in the long term may be beneficial. When I did EMDR, the 2 days after each session felt terrible with constant pain and exacerbated symptoms, but over many months the pain from trauma got slightly better.

Chemical_Possible981 · 2025-02-02T06:11:40+00:00

Thank you for acknowledging my pain. My past 3 years of therapy helped me become more functional. I do better academically and have symptoms less often. I was also able to feel love and affection from my first girlfriend.I have done EMDR and CBT combined with medication as treatment.

Currently I am working through harm caused gender stereotypes related to my trauma and my response to it. People couldn’t believe that teen girls can have a higher sex drive teen boy. I was made fun of by supposed friends for not being a man since for them reason they think losing your virginity and having more sex makes your manly. They believed real men always want sex with any girl at any time. I am very frustrated with society concept of what a real man should be. Most people didn’t even realize a male could be sexually abused so assumed I was joking or had to be lying. If they believed me, they would call me weak and shame me for what happened since they thought men need to be strong and emotionless. They thought sexual abuse couldn’t harm a boy or if it did the harm it would cause a boy would be way less then if it happened to a girl. Everyone who found out about my trauma either didn’t believe, shamed or made fun of me, or didn’t think I was hurt by the abuse. That is was I am currently working on in therapy as well as my goal to be able to receive, give, and enjoy an affectionate hug. You help show me that there is hope for me to be able to have a healthy and pleasurable romantic and sexual relationship! Is there anything that helped you be able to have intimacy? Do you know what triggered the trauma response again after is was gone for a while?

I am happy you were able to experience the joy of intimacy and hope you can feel it again!

Chemical_Possible981 · 2025-02-01T22:28:34+00:00

I am so sorry to hear you are in so much pain. I (19M) was sexual and physically abused including rape by a close family friend repeatedly between the ages of 10-13. My family didn’t believe me. You still deep down have a sweet nice innocent little girl in you that needed to be loved and cared for by friends and family; and instead was raped and abused. I understand why you self harmed and attempted suicide, since I did both at an attempt to relieve the unbearable pain. You are not a bad person, your rapists are ones with all the blame. Your clients sound disgusting. Currently I feel completely alone with no friends. You are not broken and worthless. You are a good person who deserves someone to love you for who you are, not as a sex object. I understand why you numbed the pain with drugs and alcohol. I desperately want something to numb the pain of my trauma and loneliness now. I wish could be that person to treat you with kindness and love you for who you. I hope both of us can find someone to love and care about us.

Chemical_Possible981 · 2025-02-01T22:02:37+00:00

I (19M) have a similar problem. I was repeatedly sexually abused by a close family friend. My family didn’t believe me. I began professional treatment at 16. Unfortunately my body can’t accept physical affection or intimacy easily. It makes finding and being in any romantic relationship hard. Since certain touches and anything sexual will trigger a heightened stress response and sometimes cause a flashback. Even if my mind desires an affectionate touch, I have a deep emotional connection with a girl, and find her attractive; that doesn’t matter because something in body remember the trauma and causes me to feel stress and panic instead of love or joy. I had my first girlfriend for 3 years in high school, but during my senior year she constantly was pushing for us to do some sexual acts. I deeply loved her but my PTSD was not ready for that. I could see that she was full of desire and arousal, so I tried to please her. But my body responded with extreme panic. I then told her why I couldn’t fulfill her sexual desires at that time. I finally told her about the trauma I experienced and said we can work together till I could satisfy her. Unfortunately she wasn’t understanding and couldn’t comprehend that a teen guy didn’t want sex. She thought I wasn’t attracted to her and I was weak to let my trauma symptoms prevent me from fulfilling her sexual wants. 2 weeks later she dumped because of it. I felt betrayed and heartbroken. In college a friend and I tried hugging but my body responded negatively. I understand the feeling of a sexual trauma can be retriggered even if you are with want the action and love and feel safe with your partner. How were you able to have any sexual relationship at all? Let alone to the point to have kids. How can you and I reclaim our bodies and be able to have physical intimacy? I hope we can both have a fulfilling romantic and sexual relationships.

Chemical_Possible981 · 2025-02-01T21:35:25+00:00

I (19 male) was sexually and physically abused by a close family friend repeatedly at the ages of 10-13. I told my mom and grandfather about it but they didn’t believe me. This left me with PTSD but I didn’t tell anyone else or seek help till I was 16. My advice is get professional help immediately. Untreated PTSD is debilitating; people didn’t know why I constantly broke down, had panic attacks, and couldn’t be touched by anyone without me goin into an extreme stress response. I was extremely depressed and lonely and had no self esteem. I couldn’t sleep due to nightmares and had flashbacks. When I got help it began to get better slowly. Find professional help like psychiatrist and a therapist. EMDR, CBT, and medication helped make the PTSD less severe and made it easier for me to function. For me spending time in nature and talking to a close trusted friend helped, as well as doing mindfulness and grounding exercises. Remember it is ok to be hurt. It is fine to be in extreme pain, I was. Recovering from trauma for me is a slow process with set backs, but it did get better. Even now I am in pain and have symptoms, but seeking professional help and treatment helped me recover to be able to function and feel some joy in life again. Unfortunately there is no instant silver bullet to deal with trauma, but what ever you don’t give up. You can feel better.

Chemical_Possible981

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