Autism and cPTSD—A theory that moves beyond correlation and proposes a causal explanation

More on my theory of how autism directly leads to cPTSD over time...

The underlying root cause is unmet needs. That's the central concept of the entire theory.

Unmet needs.

So, the *causal chain* is all downstream from autistic UNMET needs.

Here's a simplified view of what it looks like...

Autism / Brain wiring (exists)

↓

Mismatch with environment

↓

Nervous system activated (for survival)

↓

Dysregulation / Distress (Meltdown)

Initial trauma acquired

Not trauma from big events. Trauma from unmet needs. Big traumatic events (like abuse) exist on a different causal chain... though they can, and often do, co-occur in the same person.

↓

Nervous system is continually activated

Trauma compounds

(1 + 1 = 3... meaning, the impact of the trauma becomes greater the more the nervous system experiences additional trauma)

↓

Nervous system is in a state of hypervigilance

Mental / physical health decline begins

↓

This state of hypervigilance continues until nervous system energy is completely depleted with compounding impact on mental/physical health

This is where clinical anxiety and depression often show up.

Also where unexplained physical ailments show up. (This is especially significant as unexplained physical ailments are still one of the biggest ""mysteries"" in the era of modern medicine)

↓

Burnout / Shutdown

System energy is now completely depleted

↓

Mental / physical health decline intensifies and accelerates

Clinical diagnoses become more severe and extreme

↓

Trauma compounds further

The trauma is now diagnosable cPTSD

(Side note, cPTSD is not currently a diagnosable condition in the DSM, but was added to the ICD 11 in 2018)

If left untreated, the cPTSD will lead to a system collapse

If treated, the system can be repaired... BUT *crucially,* treatment must include addressing the root cause / underlying unmet need(s) or the system will continue to be regularly activated and trauma will continue to occur / compound.

↓

System collapse

The system is no longer functional

This is where things like heart attacks show up.

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Now, please understand that this is a *very* simplified and condensed view of the theory.

Each concept is pulling from numerous psychological and physiological concepts that have been established within each field.

This post is not meant to communicate the complete theory with all its complexities and nuances. It's meant to show the logical flow of it at a high level. The big picture view.

I will be sharing more and honing in on different parts of this theory in future posts...

But I wanted to share this view first because it provides the system view (context) that will make the details make sense when I share them.

(Which is not just a good way to share complex ideas... but the *correct* way, especially when it comes to autistic / dual cognition brains. Something I've discussed at length in recent months 🙂)

But back to my causal link between autism and cPTSD theory... let me know which part of what I shared interests you most and I'll work on follow up posts.

Also, for those unfamiliar with my work...

I'm Nicole Filippone, autistic philosopher of human difference and translator of the human experience. My formal and applied background is in philosophy, psychology, adult learning, learning design and psychology, and now, autistic cognition.

If you're new here... welcome to my corner of the internet, where I talk about these topics all day, every day, nonstop (at least, that's what it feels like 😆).

We do a lot of fascinating, and educational deep dives into the internal autistic experience over here.

Happy to have you, and happy learning! 🙏🏻