Can you have dissociative identity disorder and autism?

We are diagnosed with both Autism and Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID, previously known as Multiple Personality Disorder). We feel that our DID manifests differently because of our underlying autism. We also feel that one of the reasons we developed alters was to cope with growing up with undiagnosed Autism.

What can Aspergers be misdiagnosed as?

Because of the sim- ilarities in these disorders, however, children with Asperger’s are sometimes misdiagnosed with ADHD.

What happens during a dissociative episode?

Dissociative disorders are mental disorders that involve experiencing a disconnection and lack of continuity between thoughts, memories, surroundings, actions and identity. People with dissociative disorders escape reality in ways that are involuntary and unhealthy and cause problems with functioning in everyday life.

How do you identify dissociative episodes?

When a person experiences dissociation, it may look like:

1. Daydreaming, spacing out, or eyes glazed over.
2. Acting different, or using a different tone of voice or different gestures.
3. Suddenly switching between emotions or reactions to an event, such as appearing frightened and timid, then becoming bombastic and violent.

What percent of the population has dissociative identity disorder?

Dissociative identity disorder statistics vary but show that the condition occurs in anywhere from one-half percent to two percent of the population.

What is autism spectrum?

Overview. Autism spectrum disorder is a condition related to brain development that impacts how a person perceives and socializes with others, causing problems in social interaction and communication. The disorder also includes limited and repetitive patterns of behavior.

What is PDD?

The diagnostic category of pervasive developmental disorders (PDD) refers to a group of disorders characterized by delays in the development of socialization and communication skills. Parents may note symptoms as early as infancy, although the typical age of onset is before 3 years of age.

How many personalities can a person with dissociative identity disorder have?

A person living with DID may have as few as two alters or as many as 100. The average number is about 10. Often alters are stable over time, continuing to play specific roles in the person’s life for years.