According to psychiatrist Gesika Amorim, social factors make it difficult to diagnose autism in adult women
OR autism it is a neurological condition that impairs social interaction, communication and behavior on multiple levels. At levels 2 and 3 the characteristics of the autism spectrum are more marked in both men and women.
However, in level 1 autism, the symptoms are milder, Therefore, there is a big difficulties in diagnosis, especially among women. This often causes it to happen late.
According to Gesika Amorim, neurologist and psychiatrist, women with level 1 autism generally have good communication skills. However, they have difficulty understanding speech and language.
“They cannot understand double meaning jokes, metaphors and cannot integrate well in social games, especially during adolescence,” explains the autism specialist.
Difficulty in diagnosis
Due to social pressure, women, in general, have a greater need to be liked. Therefore, autistic women end up, in most cases, camouflaging the spectrum to be welcomed into the environment in which they are insertedwhich makes diagnosis difficult.
“I usually say that one of the main characteristics, what draws the most attention to these women on the autism spectrum, is their ability to wear different masks to feel welcomed in different social groups, in different tribes. They go through different groups trying to be accepted these different characteristics”, comments Amorim.
For this reason, women with autism are also more likely to be involved in abusive relationships. “These women have difficulty being assertive in relationships and saying no. They tend to get involved in bad relationships, leading these women to emotional and psychological exhaustion,” she explains.
Therefore, it is very common for these women to be overlooked and diagnosed with other psychiatric disorders, when in reality they fall on the spectrum. “This is why she is unable to integrate socially, she is unable to understand or accept herself as she is, because deep down she doesn’t know who she is”, underlines the specialist.
Treatment
Because of the difficulty in diagnosing autism in adult women, it is common for many of them to use different types of medications for years without experiencing improvement in symptoms. Therefore Gesika says it is important to consult a professional who has experience in autism to make the correct diagnosis.
“You need to look for a qualified professional, undergo a neuropsychological evaluation with a neuropsychologist. Autism in adults is a behavioral disorder. Then look for an experienced psychiatrist, with a reference. He will recommend a neuropsychologist and she will start a long test again for this diagnosis it must be confirmed and founded”, he concludes.
Source: Terra
Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.
