The research team included Dr Mary Doherty, a consultant anesthetist at Our Lady’s Hospital in Navan, Co Meath, who was diagnosed with autism ten years ago.

The study involved eight experienced UK-based psychiatrists, including six consultants, working in the healthcare sector.

Psychiatrists play a central role in the recognition and diagnosis of autism, and this is the first study to examine their awareness of their own autistic nature, either for their own benefit or that of their patients.

Their specialties ranged from child and adolescent mental health to adult services, including developmental disabilities.

The study, which also involved researchers from London South Bank University and Brighton and Sussex Medical School, explored how these psychiatrists realized they were autistic.

Remarkably, some have been identified as autistic by their own patients. BJPsych Open journal which were presented at the winter meeting of the Royal College of Psychiatrists.

It was found that once self-recognition was achieved, psychiatrists began to notice that many of their colleagues – particularly those specializing in autism or attention deficit disorder – might also be autistic, but without know it.

This lack of awareness can have serious consequences, as psychiatrists may inadvertently miss the diagnosis in autistic patients.

However, once aware of their own neurodivergence, psychiatrists found it easier to recognize autism in others and establish strong therapeutic relationships.

It found that understanding their own autism had a positive impact on psychiatrists’ self-esteem and mental health.

Dr Doherty, who is also a clinical associate professor at UCD, said “knowing you are autistic can positively change your life”.

She highlighted delays in autism assessment.

“The situation gets worse if psychiatrists, unaware of their own autism, misdiagnose their patients. This recognition could benefit psychiatrists and the patients they serve,” she said.

Dr Sebastian Shaw, lead author and Senior Lecturer in Medical Education at Brighton and Sussex Medical School, said: “This research not only highlights the experiences of autistic psychiatrists, but also demonstrates the unique benefits that they bring into this area. Through self-awareness, their ability to relate to autistic patients improves significantly.

Dr. Doherty founded Autistic Doctors International, a global network of autism doctors with more than 1,000 members.

An Irish psychiatrist working in the health service, not involved in the study, who has autism and wished to remain anonymous, said she was diagnosed only two years ago as an adult.

“I was a very anxious child and particularly anxious in social situations because I didn’t understand social expectations,” she said. “I found it very difficult to make and keep friends because I didn’t understand why people behaved the way they did.

“School was difficult because I struggled with auditory processing, which meant I struggled to ‘take in’ information in a classroom. »

She said she struggled with the constant changes as she moved from one team to another during her medical training.

“When I finally get used to the team and the patients, I will have to start doing something else,” she said. “I also found situations such as hot desking very difficult. Having my own regular space would have helped immensely with reducing my stress levels. I was impressed by those who could effortlessly build relationships with other staff members.

“Part of being autistic is that you can’t ignore what you perceive as injustice. This can lead to difficulties because you cannot let go of a situation that you believe is unfair or unjust.

The authors said that a doctor’s recognition of their autism is a private matter and in no way implies the need to reveal it to anyone else.