Personality disorder is a controversial mental health diagnosis. It refers to the idea that some people experience  longstanding and extensive difficulties in how they perceive and relate to themselves, other people and the world around them. 

The internal experiences, distress and behaviours of people diagnosed with a personality disorder – particularly borderline personality disorder – can often make sense when we understand how they have been shaped by early experiences of trauma, abuse and neglect.

Autism is characterised by longstanding and extensive differences in social interaction and communication, by sensory processing differences, and by a strong need for predictability, alongside repetitive behaviours and highly focused interests.

There is a growing realisation that sometimes autism can be missed in people diagnosed with a personality disorder, but little research exploring why this occurs and how to reduce misdiagnosis.

Accurate recognition of autism is important for helping people to understand themselves better and for preventing provision of inappropriate or harmful care.