Why I no longer identify as autistic. Despite autism spectrum features.

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This video has corrrections to the autocaptions to try make clearer (Kiwi accent & rate of speech).
My name is Xanthe Wyse.
I have impairments with my communication, so at times what I meant to say didn't come out.
I recorded this video as I was getting ready for work. I work a few hours daily with a low paid, (mostly) low stress job with flexible hours.
I don't wear makeup most of the time but I have a little ritual of applying a little for work. Makes me look a little less tired. I have sensory sensitivities and that extends to makeup, so I am very fussy about whether I can tolerate the products.
A lot of people get mad at me because my views don't go with what is currently trendy. I find identity politics toxic. One of the main reasons I no longer call myself autistic (despite being 'definitely on the autism spectrum with clincially significant features' - psychiatrist's words), is to protest against forcing labels onto people.
I don't identify as 'bipolar' either. My username was to highlight my most stigmatised diagnosis (bipolar disorder). I actually have half a dozen diagnoses.
Most of my impairment is rated by clinicians to be from PTSD, then bipolar disorder. Also labelled a 'mental injury' from trauma.
'Autistic' and 'autism' have been so watered down by popular social media influencers profiting from spreading misinformation. It's become very cultlike, with being told that not allowed to have an opinion. With mob bullying to try and shut people up (yes, those who self-identified as 'autistic' and 'neurodivergent' did that to me).
I had mutism in childhood and also difficulties interacting with other children. I am diagnosed PDD-NOS which was classified as a pervasive developmental disorder in the DSM-IV along with autistic disorder (classic or Kanner's autism) and Asperger's Syndrome. PDD-NOS stands for pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified.
New Zealand uses both DSM-IV and/or DSM-5 to diagnose. Nothing is done about an adult autism diagnosis anyway and it can even be used against someone.
Diagnostic labels are not my identity (and no my 'username' is not my identity').
I have written more nuance, in the context of an intense connection with another advocate, in my memoir, 'Bipolar Courage: Are You Sure You're Not Autistic?' I haven't detailed the identity politics but I have given some more detail about childhood and adult features. The subtitle is what the autistic guy in the story, 'Maxwell', asked me.
My books:
www.soarpurpose.com/books.html
Memoir on Amazon:
www.amazon.com/dp/B0CH2CM99Q
Memoir with ebook distributors other than Amazon:
books2read.com/u/mg57w7

Опубликовано:

21 май 2024

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Комментарии : 7

@strictnonconformist7369 3 дня назад

I'm listening to hear the explanation as to why you'd not still qualify, as an autistic adult that was unexpectedly late-diagnosed. While certainly not nearly as frequent as many I know of deal with them, I have had to deal with meltdowns, at least one spectacular oddball shutdown, and autistic burnout. The curious thing is those aren't explicitly listed as part of the autistic spectrum in the DSM, but they do seem almost certain to exist as what can happen to those of us with autistic neurology. I have many forms of neurodivergence, but none count as mental illnesses, and I strongly suspect (but seems impossible to prove definitively) that enables me to not get too stressed out from exceeding my window of tolerance readily: I'm really rather laid back, which I suspect most people wouldn't expect to hear as a way of describing anyone on the spectrum.

@BipolarCourage 3 дня назад

@@strictnonconformist7369 a psychiatrist said I am "definitely on the spectrum" yet subthreshold to ASD diagnosis. In my currently pinned video, about autism reassessment, I read out the sections of my memoir related to this. My features were actually more prominent in childhood.

@Jo-ys4bp 2 месяца назад

Hi Xanthe, have you been following the research on the ketogenic diet and bipolar disorder? Mountng evidence is pointing to bipolar and other mental illness being a metabolic disorder. I have been following a low carb diet with good results for myself. I find I am enjoying spending time wit other people more, usually I would need a lot of alone time. The research is being funded by the Baszucki Group. There is a youtube channel called Metabolic Mind which has some good videos on this.

@BipolarCourage 2 месяца назад

I love my carbs too much to try keto. But some people say it helps with their various medical issues. I am diagnosed coeliac disease and have been strictly gluten-free for over 15 years.

@Jo-ys4bp 2 месяца назад

@@BipolarCourage you are probably addicted to carbs. I thought I would find it too difficult but the positive benefits have made it very easy for me to continue.

@BipolarCourage 2 месяца назад

@@Jo-ys4bp possibly but we all have a vice of some kind. I don't drink or smoke.

@strictnonconformist7369 3 дня назад

I hope you're not lumping being autistic into that group as being a mental illness and a metabolic disorder.