"It Was Like the Final Piece in the Puzzle for Me": A Qualitative Study on the Experiences of Autistic Women Initially Diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder.

Background: Women who self-harm and experience complex mental health difficulties are frequently diagnosed with borderline personality disorder (BPD), also known as emotionally unstable personality disorder. Emerging research suggests that self-harm may often be better explained through the lens of autism, and that greater consideration should be given to the clients' motivations for self-harm. How time alone is experienced may also be a differentiating factor.