Do Chronic Illnesses and Autism Often Co-Occur?

For everyone who has 5+ chronic medical issues (more directed to those who are below 30, or had this many diagnosis below 30. But would still love to hear anyone’s take on this!). But my question is: are you also autistic? I noticed everyone with the most similar diagnosis history/# of chronic illness that I have, also have autism listed in their profile. My therapist thinks I might be autistic, but if not, that I definitely do have some traits that are unique to autism. But I also have ADHD, anxiety, bipolar, +. But I’ve been seeing her a very long time, and she didn’t say this till recently when I brought up some things I deal with/how I function, that I had never told anyone before. But my best friend / “soul sister” since age 5 is autistic, I’ve dated 2 autistic people, and I took an intricate class on autism. & I’m insanely introspective, so I feel like I would’ve figured it out by now, if I were to have autism. I have absolutely zero negative judgements on why Autism, but the diagnosis just doesn’t fit me. But I’m curious how many of you have as many significant medical issues as I do, and are autistic/are not. I downloaded this app because I just feel so alone and like nobody understands what it’s like to even have one of my more significant issues, so they have zero clue what it’s like to have ALL the ones I have, we never get a break! (Also I accidentally took double my stimulent dose this morning (which is already a high dose) so I’m kinda out of it rn and overthinking lot a ton, + just failed drivers test that I thought I was prepared for, so I apologize for this post being all over the place or coming off in an insensitive way. It’s a genuine question that I’ve been curious about. Lots of love to all my fellow chronic illness family on here! Regardless of what those illnesses/differences/disability are that you are dealing with! 💖💖

Your answer

ivylee

2y ago

i also feel on the fence about whether or not i'm autistic. i have adhd and sensory processing disorder, and i've always had autistic ppl in my circle. i'm just not sure about myself. also, i'm 21 and i only have one chronic physical illness, but i get what you're talking about. i know EDS and autism overlap quite a lot, but i hadn't thought about the overlap with chronic illness as a whole. it's very interesting.

Maddawg

2y ago

I think I am. I’m seeing anew psychiatrist and we’re going to investigate

hazyeclipse

2y ago

I have lots of chronic illnesses, and under 30, but I'm not autistic. I was diagnosed with ADHD as a kid though.

Zebrapotato37659

2y ago

I have 10+ diagnoses. Waiting to see if my therapist diagnoses me w ADHD, I don’t have autism. Prayers!

Student_girl

2y ago

I’ve got a whole bunch of health issues, but no autism! I wish you luck

Suze

2y ago

Autism doesn't automatically mean you are prone to health issues. Lots of people on the spectrum are in good health so don't connect the two. Also lots of people are on the spectrum and were never diagnosed as such. Did you therapist recommend you for testing? You can't just speculate without having tested someone for autism.

ivylee

2y ago

there are disproportionately higher rates of genetic disorders in autistic people, like ehlers danlos syndrome for example. not all austistic ppl are chronically ill but there is a correllation. and also, you definitely can speculate about autism lol. being tested is out of the question for a lot of people. how else do you find support for your needs?

randochikn

2y ago

Don’t necessarily have 5+ issues that I know of right now, but I do have two cousins with autism and my mom says when she was a kid a psychologist thought she might have it or was on the spectrum. We have a lot of sensory issues and hyper focus stuff in my family, and we arent quite sure about it. Nothing too crazy but very interesting to think about!!

Atatizakti

2y ago

A lot of autistic people have other health issues. I’ve never been professionally diagnosed as autistic but I have a significant amount of autistic traits. I was dx as adhd as a teen, but it doesn’t feel that describes/explains my symptoms. I have inattention, but also learning difficulties and social issues. just call myself “neurodiverse”. I don’t feel comfortable telling people I’m autistic if I don’t know for sure because there’s a lot of other things going on (c-ptsd) that might contribute to my personality.

Emrys.the.warrior

2y ago

I’m autistic and have POTS and some sort of hyper mobility genetic disorder that I’m currently trying to find through genetic testing. As well as the problems that come from that genetic disorder. I was late and self diagnosis and masked much of my life. I do think there is a link between autism and a lot of health conditions but I’m not really sure the science behind it.

Mrs.Rainbow6

2y ago

I've never been diagnosed with autism but I used to wonder if I was autistic. I think after so many health issues, you probably naturally act and think differently from the general public. Autism seems to be a cluster of "abnormal" characteristics but make sense to most people with mental health issues.

A_Delicate_Flower

2y ago

I've also wondered if I'm on the spectrum. Have never been diagnosed. I've read that. Autism spectrum is thought in some circles to coincide with many chronic illnesses.

MatchaBunn

2y ago

I’m also autistic, and I feel that it can help me be hyperaware of what’s going on in my body. I’m really quick to react to meds and I can tell when pain or something is acting up in my body very easily. Which makes it so difficult to deal with daily chronic pain and other issues related to my . I think it would be a good idea to explore autism if you feel that it holds some answers and meaning for you. But being neurodivergent in any way I feel connects us to others like us, and it sounds like you’ve already made that connection in your relationships with others. I think it’s so neat how we gravitate towards others who are so similar to us, so much so that it’s weird to remember that there are actual people who are extreme polar opposites.

MoonFairy

2y ago

thank you for your comment! This is actually so beautiful and true 💜 I really relate to the hyper-awareness and difficulty copying that you described. I’m clearly neurodivergent, although I’m not sure wether it’s Autism. But I do have traits of Autism, so I would definitely like to look more into it!

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