In a 2018 study on Asperger's syndrome, a condition now included under the scope of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs), researchers found as many as 27% of autistic children showed symptoms of bipolar disorder.
Because of its similarities, Aspergers and Pediatric Bipolar Disorder are very similar and can cause a misdiagnosis. The symptoms that are similar are: odd habits, compulsive behavior and spells of rage. Both disorders tend to lack the social development skills as well as the educational, behavioral and anger issues.
Compared to other people, adults with autism are at higher risk for bipolar disorder, a serious mental health condition that often begins in a person's teens or 20s. Bipolar disorder affects about 1 in 10 adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
Patients with Asperger's syndrome, a rare pervasive developmental disorder, have characteristics such as eccentricities, emotional lability, anxiety, poor social functioning, repetitive behavior, and fixed habits that can mimic symptoms of other illnesses, including schizophrenia spectrum illness, bipolar disorder, ...
Bipolar Disorder, which may or may not co-exist with Aspergers, has the following symptoms and features: A condition which combines both mania and depression together to make the person feel tired, lethargic and anxious at the same time is called the Mixed State.
Bipolar disorder (BD) may be a type of neurodivergence. The exact cause of BD is unclear, but it might involve differences in brain functioning and structure. If so, a person with bipolar could identify as neurodivergent.
Mental health issues
Anxiety and depression are common with people with Aspergers. You may also see mood swings. Their behavior may appear to be erratic at times.
' The reason behind the reclassification of Asperger's syndrome was its similarity to autism, and the fact that it was distinguished from the latter based simply on a lack of language and cognitive delay — which, interestingly, isn't something every individual on the spectrum experiences.
Up to 34.8% of people with ASD may have psychotic symptoms. Difficulty processing information, such as in ASD, may increase the risk of developing psychosis symptoms, such as hallucinations and delusions. People with ASD may have unusual sensory experiences.
there may be issues of 'diagnostic overshadowing' – that is, some autistic characteristics may mask or be similar to bipolar symptoms, for example talking rapidly without pause, and a change in mood as a result of a change in routines.
However, according to the autism research charity Autistica, seven out of ten autistic people have a mental health condition such as anxiety, depression, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
Research shows bipolar disorder may damage the brain over time. Experts think it's because you slowly lose amino acids. They help build the proteins that make up the insulation around your neurons.
Aripiprazole (Abilify®)
Aripiprazole is an antipsychotic and mood stabilizer medication and is also used for treatment of irritability of autism.
Cyclothymia, or cyclothymic disorder, causes mood changes – from feeling low to emotional highs. Cyclothymia has many similarities to bipolar disorder.
Some people with a diagnosis of Asperger syndrome may choose to keeping using the term, while others may prefer to refer to themselves as autistic or on the autistic spectrum.
The Asperger's mind enjoys and focuses on details, while the normal mind is more skilled at assembling whole concepts from details. Some people with Asperger's are visual thinkers and others are math, music, or number thinkers, but all think in specifics.
Asperger's Syndrome
People with the disorder are said to fall somewhere along the "autism spectrum." Some are severely disabled, but others may only exhibit mild symptoms.
The fear of losing benefits to services and access to mental health weighed among many people and families. Individuals previously diagnosed felt it was not right to place those with Asperger Syndrome under the umbrella of ASD.
Today, Asperger's syndrome is technically no longer a diagnosis on its own. It is now part of a broader category called autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
ADHD is not on the autism spectrum, but they have some of the same symptoms. And having one of these conditions increases the chances of having the other. Experts have changed the way they think about how autism and ADHD are related.
Angry outbursts or crying fits may erupt when an Aspie's emotional reservoir overflows. Perhaps in part because Aspies cannot easily access our emotions, we cannot easily regulate them.
In addition to difficulties with understanding emotions, individuals with ASDs may become angry quickly and may have difficulty calming themselves effectively. They often need to be taught skills to cope with an increase in irritability once they have been able to identify these emotions.
Certain types of medications can help manage severe Asperger's symptoms or related conditions. These medications include: Antidepressants (SSRIs or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors). Anti-psychotics.