Here is a guide we’ve started to help define some frequently used terms in the Cassandra Syndrome Recovery Community. This glossary is a work in progress and will be updated periodically. Thank you for your patience and your constructive feedback.
Alexithymia is when a person has difficulty experiencing, identifying, and expressing emotions. It is not a mental health disorder but has links with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), eating disorders, and various other conditions. It can occur with autism. —medicalnewstoday.com
alexithymia noun alex·i·thy·mia ə-ˌleks-i-ˈthī-mē-ə : inability to identify and express or describe one’s feelings —merriam-webster.com
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurological and developmental disorder that affects how people interact with others, communicate, learn, and behave. Although autism can be diagnosed at any age, it is described as a “developmental disorder” because symptoms generally appear in the first 2 years of life.
According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), a guide created by the American Psychiatric Association that health care providers use to diagnose mental disorders, people with ASD often have:
Difficulty with communication and interaction with other people
Restricted interests and repetitive behaviors
Symptoms that affect their ability to function in school, work, and other areas of life
Autism is known as a “spectrum” disorder because there is wide variation in the type and severity of symptoms people experience.
People of all genders, races, ethnicities, and economic backgrounds can be diagnosed with ASD. Although ASD can be a lifelong disorder, treatments and services can improve a person’s symptoms and daily functioning. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that all children receive screening for autism. Caregivers should talk to their child’s health care provider about ASD screening or evaluation.
While not an official diagnosis, Cassandra Syndrome has been used to describe the emotional deprivation felt by neurotypical partners in neurodivergent relationships.
In the early 2000’s, the term Cassandra Phenomenon, sometimes referred to as the Cassandra syndrome, was coined to describe a group of symptoms that often occur in individuals who live with or know adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder. The term takes its name from Cassandra, a character in Greek mythology who was offered the gift of prophecy by Apollo in order to win her affection. After promising to be his lover in return, Cassandra later went back on her promise, and the enraged Apollo cast a curse on her that while she could see the future accurately no one would believe her prophecies.
The Cassandra phenomenon depicts a state of confusion, self-doubt, and inner turmoil that is all too familiar among neurotypical people who, when describing their experiences with an adult on the spectrum, are doubted, discounted, ignored, even rejected by friends, family members, and sometimes professionals who disbelieve their account. —kennethrobersonphd.com
Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (CPTSD or C-PTSD)
What is CPTSD?
Complex post-traumatic stress disorder (CPTSD, C-PTSD or cPTSD) is a mental health condition that can develop if you experience chronic (long-term) trauma. It involves stress responses, such as:
Anxiety.
Having flashbacks or nightmares.
Avoiding situations, places and other things related to the traumatic event.
Heightened emotional responses, such as impulsivity or aggressiveness.
Persistent difficulties in sustaining relationships.
Examples of chronic trauma include:
Long-term child physical or sexual abuse.
Long-term domestic violence.
Being a victim of human or sex trafficking.
War.
Frequent community violence.
While CPTSD is often associated with chronic trauma in childhood, adults who experience chronic trauma can also develop the condition. —clevelandclinic.org
Neurodiverse, Neurodivergent, Neurodiversity
“Neurodiversity” is a word used to explain the unique ways people’s brains work. While everyone’s brain develops similarly, no two brains function just alike. Being neurodivergent means having a brain that works differently from the average or “neurotypical” person. This may be differences in social preferences, ways of learning, ways of communicating and/or ways of perceiving the environment. Because of this, a neurodivergent person has different struggles and unique strengths. People who are neurodivergent can benefit from education and programs that help them develop their strengths using them to their benefit to live happy, healthy lives. —clevelandclinic.org
Neurodivergent Relationship (ND Relationship)
A relationship between a person who is NeuroDiverse and another who is NeuroTypical is considered “NeuroDivergent.” —kmarshack.com
Neurotypical (NT)
adjective – relating to or showing typical neurological behavior and development.
“NeuroDiverse” (ND) describes the unique workings of a brain that is different from those with typical neurological development or functioning; hence, the term, “NeuroTypical. —kmarshack.com
Ongoing Traumatic Relationship Syndrome (OTRS)
This is the more clinical definition of Cassandra Syndrome (see above).
OTRS occurs when a person experiences trauma in a close relationship. In a relationship between an AS and a non-AS person, the non-AS person may feel like they’re not having their needs met or feel ignored on an emotional level. They may feel like they don’t matter and are invisible to their AS loved one. —psychcentral.com
