ASD and schizotypal,similarities or not?

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Had my 6 monthly review with my nurse practitioner. Really opened up for the first time re aspergers/autistic traits. She said there is not much available in the area but didn't dismiss me out of hand as she gave me a print out to an Aspergers site.
What she did say however was that several things could also be explained by schizotypal.

I was wondering what other posters views were on the ASD vs schizotypal connection.

It is hard for me to tell. One of the problems for me is the artificial exclusion criteria of the DSM/ICD whereby you can't have one disorder if a certain other one is present. Yet I have come across quite a few people who fit the criteria for both diagnoses.

I know that social anxiety can be a part of both ASD and schizotypal. Mine developed as a reaction to bullying as a teenager due to being physically and socially awkward. It seems the ASD symptoms(traits?) came first and the paranoia and social anxiety was a reaction to negative peer responses stemming from that .

I just had a look at the symptoms and I do notice similarities. I can relate to a couple things on the list like "strange thinking" and being a loner and lacking close friends and my husband has commented on me dressing like a bum. But that is about it so I know I don't have this disorder. It is possible to have both disorders. I also notice the overlaps with schizophrenia but according to the Mayo Clinic website, the symptoms are not as intense as they are with schizophrenia. But I am sure my "symptoms" are explained by other things like autism so I don't really consider having any symptoms of this disorder.

yes. i talk to myself all the time

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schizotyp ... y_disorder

I have read that some people who have ASC are wrongfully diagnosed as schizotypal personality disorder
and vice versa

also
in the new update of the diagnostic criteria
psychiatrists now allow for a diagnosis of both ASC and schizotypal personality disorder together at the same time
or as the medical pros call it, existing co-morbidity. this is the latest version.

In the past, i went through a time of being stalked by my ex-wife and some local drug addicts.
At one point they followed me everywhere i went, which wasn't too hard as i live on a small island.

When i had a stressed episode / meltdown one day at my doctors.
My doctor decided to send me to the psychiatrist, whom i went to speak with the following week.
I was very agitated and during the evaluation i explained how i was being stalked.

The psychiatrist, decided without evidence that I was paranoid of going out (agoraphobic) because i thought people were following me. This was not the case, as although I knew i was being stalked during this time, i wasn't scared of going out and kept going out and keeping my routine as normal.

However, the psychiatrist wrote to my normal doctor and explained that she thought i could be suffering from schizotypal personality type disorder. She continued, that she was unable to make a proper diagnosis because after she started playing her trying to pin a disorder on the patient game (without evidence) i realised that she was clueless and walked out.

walking out probably was also considered a symptom. Which is ridiculous. As being aloof is apparently part of the diagnostic criteria. However, i wasn't actually being aloof. I just realised that what was going on was not good. so left.

I have seen the same psychiatrist recently and explained that i did not fear going out at all, in fact have travelled around india since the original meeting. She has now ruled out any disorder and has left the ASC diagnosis with me. So I am now reading as much as i can in order to fill in my knowledge and work out exactly what i am.

Fortunately my IQ is high enough and I have the other skills required to accomplish this.
So thank goodness for that. Perhaps this is something worth considering for others out there who are frustrated or confused as to what or who they are.
Thanks

@madbutnotbad Can you provide a link where it says they can be diagnosed together?

Hello.
I was recently given a diagnosis from a psychologist who explained that this is how it is.

I also have read in a number of places that GP's at times, due to the their lack of understanding of ASD/ASC
and the patient's inability to communicate effectively sometimes get's misdiagnosed with an incorrect illness which is often schizoid personality disorder, schizotypal personality disorder or even schizophrenia.

Although these sources also mentioned that although GPs were in danger of misdiagnosing ASC for one of these other mental health conditions, it was also possible for the patient to suffer from ASC and other mental health conditions at the same time comorbidly.

Although, please allow me to go off and find the book/source where i read this information.
I shall return

https://www.autismspeaks.org/what-autis ... conditions

I will have to find the book/s tomorrow. But will try and remember and come back to help.
I am sure i read in a number of places which are up to date. DSM V

^ Thanks

BTW
I am just going through an online course designed to educate General Practitioner Doctors on Autism Spectrum Condition which has been developed and delivered by the Royal College of General Practitioners.

One of the modules contains a section that covers Autism Spectrum Conditions and Mental Illness.
The first line of this course states that Autism Spectrum Conditions often coexist with mental health conditions.

This is an up to date course delivered by one of the most respected organizations for general practitioners in the world. So if your doctor is in any confusion, you can refer them to this course.

In fact, you can ask them to take the course in hope that they may get better at treating you and your symptoms.

Have a buddy who is dxd with schizotypal, and I am aspie. I don't think that we are at all alike in anyway.

The Wiki description of STD doesn't resemble aspergers much except in interesting superficial outward ways: in both the person has trouble making friends and can have social anxiety. But the causes are different. In schizotypal you're uneasy with folks because of delusional beliefs that everyone hates you, or is out to get you ( shades of paranoia and magical beliefs). Very different from aspergers.

Obviously we here on this website cant diagnose you. But you could be either, or neither, I suppose.

As I said on another thread I know a few people on schizophrenia.com who are both aspergic and schizophrenic. I therefore assume it is possible to be both aspergic and schizotypal.

http://www.thinkingautismguide.com/2013 ... verge.html
http://www.clinicalneuropsychiatry.org/ ... gerald.pdf

I was dx'ed with both.

Took the online test by psychmed yesterday and according to my results I have it....except I don't dress diffently or think magical thoughts....but hey....as long as it's not contagious I'll accept it.... I've learned so much since joining WP....