"The only journey is the journey within." – Rainer Maria Rilke

Unraveling the Autism and PTSD Overlap: An In-Depth Exploration

Introduction

The interconnected world of Autism and Post-Traumatic Stress (PTS) reveals a fascinating overlap that often confuses clinicians due to shared symptoms. Diagnoses rely on the subjective observations of behavior, assessed against subjectively created criteria established by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). This post delves into the intricacies of the autism and PTSD overlap, the formation of traumatic memories during early development, and how these memories impact individuals well into adulthood.

Understanding Post-Traumatic Stress

The Reexperiencing Phenomenon

PTS is defined by the reexperiencing of traumatic memories, which can manifest as intrusive thoughts, vivid flashbacks, and severe emotional distress upon encountering triggers. This reexperiencing disrupts daily life and can lead to debilitating anxiety. According to a study by Van der Kolk (2014), "The Body Keeps the Score," traumatic memories are often stored in the body as sensory fragments, which can be easily triggered by seemingly unrelated stimuli.

Similarities with Autism Symptoms

The symptoms of PTS—such as heightened sensory sensitivities, social withdrawal, and pervasive anxiety—mirror those observed in autism, leading to frequent misdiagnoses. Such overlaps necessitate a closer examination of the diagnostic criteria to differentiate between the two conditions accurately.

The Subjectivity of Diagnostic Criteria

DSM and Subjective Observations

Autism and PTS diagnoses rely heavily on subjective observations and reports aligned with the DSM's guidelines. This reliance on subjective measures introduces variability and inconsistency, which can significantly impact diagnostic accuracy. According to the American Psychiatric Association (2013), the DSM-5 outlines that "Diagnostic criteria are based on clinical judgment, which can vary between different practitioners."

Lack of Consistent Biomarkers

The absence of reliable biomarkers for both autism and PTS further complicates how these conditions are distinguished. Without objective diagnostic tools, clinicians must navigate the intricacies of behavior and reported experiences, often leading to misinterpretation and misdiagnosis.

The Formation of Traumatic Memories

Fetal Memory Formation

Emerging studies indicate that fetuses are capable of forming memories. According to research by Verny and Kelly (1981), "The Secret Life of the Unborn Child," the emotional state of the mother translates to the fetus, influencing its future development. For example, maternal stress or traumatic experiences can imprint on the fetus, creating early memories of fear and anxiety.

Traumatic Impact on Infants

What may appear insignificant to an adult can prove traumatic to a fetus or infant. When a mother experiences a sudden shock—akin to jumping in fright during a horror movie—the fetus perceives this experience intensely, potentially forming a traumatic memory. This memory retains the same level of fear experienced by the mother. According to "The Power of Now" by Eckhart Tolle, the mind can create lasting impressions from fleeting moments of intense emotion, impacting future behavior.

Example of Shock Events

Such shock events might include the introduction of toxic substances or exposure to frightening stimuli either via the mother to the fetus or directly to the infant. For instance, a mother’s prolonged exposure to high-stress situations can instill a sense of enduring fear in the fetus, shaping its developmental trajectory or medications like Valproic acid may have been introduced to a mother and onto the fetus which has been found to highly increase the likelihood of autism occurring. The types of possible originating events are too numerous to count but the one thing they have in common is that they create a high enough emotional shock for a fetus to form a traumatic memory.    

In my own case, my father, in a fit of jealous rage, nearly bashed my mother to death while she was pregnant with me. It was soon after this that she had her first schizophrenic episode which was characterized by violence motivated by extreme terror. While in hospital be treated, she received many experimental drugs and multiple electroshock therapy sessions. After birth, I witnessed her schizophrenic meltdowns multiple times during the first 5 years of my life which were highly traumatizing. Any of these shock events could have and most likely would have created high level negative emotionally charged traumatic memories with in me.

Sensory Information as Triggers

Traumatic memories are inherently tied to sensory information. Any sensory input associated with a traumatic event can serve as a trigger for that memory when encountered in the outer world, causing the reexperiencing of the memory. This phenomenon plays a crucial role in understanding the development of symptoms associated with the autism and PTSD overlap.

Autism and the Role of Early Trauma

Memory Formation During Development

Traumatic memory formation during early developmental stages can severely disrupt the ability to freely express emotion. The intensity of fear stored within traumatic memories, compounded by encountering frequent triggers for these memories, can significantly disrupt the socialization process which is essential for development. Successful undertaking of the socialization process relies upon the ability to freely and naturally express emotion. It is in such instances where access to the socialization process is blocked, by the triggering of traumatic memories, that the conditions essential for autism to occur may emerge. As Joe Dispenza writes in "Becoming Supernatural," the neural pathways formed by early memories can profoundly influence behavior patterns throughout life.

Global vs. Local Triggers

Memory triggers vary in their scope. Localized triggers, such as those for traumatic memories around spiders, can be avoided more easily, particularly in urban settings where spiders are less likely to be encountered. However, global triggers, such as with social interactions being the trigger for traumatic memories involving social interaction, pervade daily life, making avoidance nearly impossible and exacerbating the condition’s symptoms.

Deficits in Socialization

Early Socialization Challenges

A fundamental characteristic of autism is deficits in areas typically nurtured through socialization. Traumatic memories formed during early development can interrupt this process, leading to significant social and behavioral challenges. The socialization process starts within the womb. When an individual is in a triggered state they are in fight or flight mode and social and emotional learning cannot occur.

Overlooking Early Trauma as Possibly Causal

Researchers have tended to discount trauma as a cause of autism due to being unable to early trauma in all cases of autism, however two things need to be considered before this can be discounted. Very few people have the ability to recall memories created before the age of three and parents and researchers may overlook seemingly minor events that, though negligible to an adult, were profoundly traumatic to a fetus or infant.

All people create memories within themselves, during their developmental years, that have negative emotion stored within them. Negative emotional memories formed during developmental years can significantly influence later life behavior and mental health in various ways.

1. Cognitive Impact: Children who experience negative emotional events can develop maladaptive cognitive patterns. For example, they may have negative thought processes or difficulty with problem-solving and decision-making.

2. Emotional Regulation: Early negative experiences can impair a person's ability to regulate emotions. This can result in heightened emotional responses, such as anxiety, depression, or difficulty managing stress.

3. Relationship Challenges: Negative emotional memories can impact one's ability to form and maintain healthy relationships. Trust issues, fear of abandonment, and difficulty with intimacy are common challenges.

4. Behavioral Consequences: Negative memories can lead to various behavioral issues such as substance abuse, aggression, or self-harm as coping mechanisms to manage unresolved trauma.

5. Mental Health Disorders: Chronic exposure to negative emotional experiences in childhood can increase the risk of developing mental health disorders like PTSD, depression, anxiety disorders, and borderline personality disorder.

Research Findings: Various studies have shown that adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) increase the likelihood of mental health issues in adulthood. Brain imaging studies indicate that traumatic early experiences can affect brain development, particularly in areas related to stress and emotion regulation.

Reevaluating Genetic and Environmental Factors

The Limits of Genetic Causality

Autism is often linked to specific genetic markers. However, the presence of these markers in only some cases indicates that they at most can be considered a contributing factor when present but are not essential to occur. How genetics may contribute is they may increase an individual’s likelihood of perceiving lesser events as traumatic.

Genetics may play a role in how individuals perceive and respond to traumatic events.

1. Genetic Predisposition to Stress Response: Certain genes can influence how an individual's body and brain respond to stress. For example, variations in the 5-HTTLPR gene, which affects serotonin levels, have been linked to differences in stress sensitivity. People with specific variants may be more prone to anxiety and mood disorders after exposure to trauma.

2. HPA Axis Regulation: The Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) axis is crucial in the stress response. Genetic variations can affect the functioning of the HPA axis, leading to heightened or diminished cortisol production. This can influence how intensely an event is experienced and remembered as traumatic.

3. Neurotransmitter Systems: Genes affecting neurotransmitter systems, such as the dopamine and serotonin systems, can impact how we process and respond to stress. For instance, the COMT gene, which influences dopamine breakdown, can affect emotional regulation and vulnerability to stress.

4. Resilience Factors: Some genes may offer resilience against the adverse effects of trauma. For instance, variations in the BDNF gene, which is involved in neuroplasticity, may help some individuals recover more effectively from traumatic experiences.

5. Epigenetic Changes: Trauma can also lead to epigenetic changes, which are changes in gene expression without altering the DNA sequence. These changes can be passed on to future generations, potentially affecting their response to stress. For example, studies on survivors of traumatic events like the Holocaust have shown that their descendants may exhibit altered stress responses.

Environmental Contributions

Universally present causal factors are essential for definitively attributing the condition to genetics. The work of Greg Braydon in "The Divine Matrix" suggests that environmental influences play a more significant role than previously believed.

If genetic factors are contributing rather than causal, the root cause of autism likely lies in environmental influences. Traumatic experiences during early development, influenced by maternal emotional states and external stimuli, are compelling factors that warrant further investigation.

Conclusion

Rethinking Mental Disorders

Mental disorders, traditionally viewed as distinct entities, may be in fact interconnected constructs. The autism and PTSD overlap, examined through the lens of traumatic memory formation and early developmental influences, could represent different aspects of a unified condition. As the teachings in "Conversations with God" by Neil Donald Walsh suggest, understanding the interconnectedness of our experiences can lead to more holistic approaches to mental health.

A Call to Action

To better understand and address autism and PTSD overlap, continued research into their environmental and developmental origins is essential. By recognizing the potential overlap and shared factors, we can pave the way for more effective, integrative treatment approaches for both conditions.

To get your Ultimate Divergence Roadmap, download your free PDF "The Top Three Myths about Autism and the Path to Spiritual Wellness for Autistic Adults"