Autistics are more likely to experience depression and anxiety than are neurotypicals
autside.substack.com
It’s no news flash, but a recent article notes that autistics are more likely to experience depression and anxiety than are neurotypicals. Who knew?!
Some research has shown that autistic adults are more likely to experience mental health diagnoses, particularly major depression and anxiety disorders, compared to the general population. Moreover, autistic individuals in these studies exhibited more impairment from these conditions than their neurotypical peers. The emotional needs of autistic folks often go unmet, raising questions about how depression and anxiety manifest differently in autistics and how psychotherapy should address these differences.
Radically-Open Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (RO-DBT) is an intervention designed to help individuals with "over-controlled" traits related to psychological health, which are commonly observed in autistic people. Thomas Lynch, the creator of RO-DBT, highlights over-control as a characteristic of autism. Consequently, the presentation and treatment of depression and anxiety may differ in autistic individuals.
According to the referenced research, here are five ways depression and anxiety may manifest in autistic individuals:
Focus on Work at the Expense of Recreation and Self-Care: Autistics often exhibit a task-oriented nature and a strong commitment to work. We are more likely to complete work tasks they have committed to but may experience a decline in non-essential areas such as recreation, maintaining cleanliness, or personal hygiene.
Loss of Interest in Special Interests: Autistics often display intense focus and dedication to special interests, such as specific animals, video games, or anime series. Any decrease in engagement with these interests should be considered a warning sign for mental health issues.
Fatalistic Thinking: Fatalistic thinking, associated with a sense of surrender and hopelessness, is common in both neurotypical and neurodivergent individuals. However, autistic people experiencing depression may exhibit this type of thinking more frequently and for longer durations due to our tendency towards black-and-white thinking patterns.
Perfectionism: We tend to have rule-governed thinking and behaviour, which aligns with an over-controlled style. During times of high stress, we may intensify our efforts to adhere to these rules, leading to self-criticism. In extreme cases, this can manifest as over-controlled coping strategies such as eating disorders, contributing to the high comorbidity between autism and anorexia nervosa.
Increased Social Withdrawal: Autism is commonly associated with social withdrawal, but many autistic folks feel socially engaged in environments that accommodate our neurodivergent needs. An escalation in distancing or withdrawal from usual social spaces may indicate heightened anxiety and depression.
Understanding these unique manifestations of depression and anxiety in autistic people is crucial for tailoring psychotherapy approaches, such as Radically-Open Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, to meet their specific needs. I’m glad research is starting to look at our unique needs.
Autistics are more likely to experience depression and anxiety than are neurotypicals
Autistics are more likely to experience depression and anxiety than are neurotypicals
Autistics are more likely to experience depression and anxiety than are neurotypicals
It’s no news flash, but a recent article notes that autistics are more likely to experience depression and anxiety than are neurotypicals. Who knew?!
Some research has shown that autistic adults are more likely to experience mental health diagnoses, particularly major depression and anxiety disorders, compared to the general population. Moreover, autistic individuals in these studies exhibited more impairment from these conditions than their neurotypical peers. The emotional needs of autistic folks often go unmet, raising questions about how depression and anxiety manifest differently in autistics and how psychotherapy should address these differences.
Radically-Open Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (RO-DBT) is an intervention designed to help individuals with "over-controlled" traits related to psychological health, which are commonly observed in autistic people. Thomas Lynch, the creator of RO-DBT, highlights over-control as a characteristic of autism. Consequently, the presentation and treatment of depression and anxiety may differ in autistic individuals.
According to the referenced research, here are five ways depression and anxiety may manifest in autistic individuals:
Focus on Work at the Expense of Recreation and Self-Care: Autistics often exhibit a task-oriented nature and a strong commitment to work. We are more likely to complete work tasks they have committed to but may experience a decline in non-essential areas such as recreation, maintaining cleanliness, or personal hygiene.
Loss of Interest in Special Interests: Autistics often display intense focus and dedication to special interests, such as specific animals, video games, or anime series. Any decrease in engagement with these interests should be considered a warning sign for mental health issues.
Fatalistic Thinking: Fatalistic thinking, associated with a sense of surrender and hopelessness, is common in both neurotypical and neurodivergent individuals. However, autistic people experiencing depression may exhibit this type of thinking more frequently and for longer durations due to our tendency towards black-and-white thinking patterns.
Perfectionism: We tend to have rule-governed thinking and behaviour, which aligns with an over-controlled style. During times of high stress, we may intensify our efforts to adhere to these rules, leading to self-criticism. In extreme cases, this can manifest as over-controlled coping strategies such as eating disorders, contributing to the high comorbidity between autism and anorexia nervosa.
Increased Social Withdrawal: Autism is commonly associated with social withdrawal, but many autistic folks feel socially engaged in environments that accommodate our neurodivergent needs. An escalation in distancing or withdrawal from usual social spaces may indicate heightened anxiety and depression.
Understanding these unique manifestations of depression and anxiety in autistic people is crucial for tailoring psychotherapy approaches, such as Radically-Open Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, to meet their specific needs. I’m glad research is starting to look at our unique needs.