Autism, ADHD, Misdiagnosed Bipolarity... & 1 Neurodivergent Life

Cuz burnouts erase more than 70 years of knowledge & experience

I just want to put this out there. My autistic experience. Maybe no one else's.

For awhile? I was misdiagnosed bipolar II. Which led to unfortunate meds… and side effects. Permanent.

See… I tested with a gifted IQ. But because of my spiky cognitive profile? I definitely perform at a subnormal level.

Here’s the deal…

During periods of clarity, I can indeed do some things that amaze me. I founded and ran an award-winning magazine at 30.

But when I was young, I could typically be “brilliant” for 3 to 6 months before I crashed. Definitely NOT your typical bipolar profile.

But they handed me lithium, depakote, carbamazepine, one desperate toxic substance after another. Til I walked… ticcing, blurting obscenities, and dragging one foot… away.

Truth? As far as I choose to believe?

I’m bright. In the right environment. Which will never include a desk, cubicle, and clever coffee cup.

Cuz burnouts erase more than 70 years of knowledge and experience.

Every time. Since 2nd grade. If degrading memory… and cognition… serves.

My understanding. Of my memory.

I live in awe of folks who live with bipolarity AND autism. This is no reflection on your struggles.

Please bear in mind. Just the lived experience of one old...

#ActuallyAutistic

I’m eager to hear about yours if you comment.

#ADHD #Bipolar

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Profile silhouette of a person wearing a fedora hat against a black background. Multiple overlapping profiles extend behind the main figure, creating a visual echo effect. Dramatic lighting highlights only the edges of each profile. The repetition and shadowing suggest different states of being or cognition, visually representing the variable cognitive experiences described in the post about autism and misdiagnosis.