Depression and Autism

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Description

Depression is a serious illness which can affect anybody.

‘Health professionals use the terms ‘depression’, ‘depressive illness’ or ‘ clinical depression’ to refer to something very different from the common experience of feeling miserable or fed up for a short period of time.’

‘In depression you may have feelings of extreme sadness that can last for a long time. These feelings are severe enough to interfere with your daily life, and can last for weeks or months rather than days.’ (NHS Direct, 2007)

Causes

Some people with an autistic spectrum disorder may have a biological predisposition to depression, just like other people. Others may become depressed because of the constant struggle to deal with the world around them.

Other people with an autistic spectrum disorder may become depressed under certain circumstances. For example, some people with may become depressed because

they are aware that they are different to other people
growing awareness of their disability or a sense of being different from their peer group and/or an inability to form relationships or take part in social activities successfully
they are lonely
of bereavement or other form of loss
of sexual frustration
of a constant feeling of failure
of extreme anxiety
bullying or abuse

Prevalence

Depression is a common problem in people with autism. For example, Tantam (1991) reported that about 1 in 15 people with Asperger syndrome experience the symptoms of depression.

Kim et al (2000) also found depression to be more common in children with autism than in other children.

Conditions

Asperger Syndrome Autism (Autistic Disorder)Autism Spectrum Disorders Pervasive Developmental Disorder (Not Otherwise Specified)

Effects

Depression affects each individual with autism in different ways. For example some people with autistic spectrum disorders may show

psychological symptoms, such as poor concentration/memory, thoughts of death or suicide, tearfulness);
physical symptoms, such as slowing down or agitation, tiredness/lack of energy, sleep problems, disturbed appetite, weight loss or gain
affects of mood and motivation, such as low mood, loss of interest or pleasure, hopelessness, helplessness, worthlessness, anxiety, aggression or self harm
worsening autistic features, such as increased proportion of echolalia or the reappearance of hand-flapping.
inappropriate emotions. They may, for example, laugh or giggle in circumstances where other people would show embarrassment, discomfort, pain or sadness.

People with depression can also experience periods of mania.

Personal Accounts

People with Asperger syndrome leaving home and going to college frequently report feelings of depression as demonstrated by the personal accounts that can be found at www.users.dircon.co.uk/~cns/index.html

As one young person says, “I also had to deal with anger, frustration, and depression that I had been keeping inside since high school”

Interventions

Scientific evidence for interventions

There are some studies published in peer-reviewed journals which appear to show that some interventions, including some of those listed below, may be effective in decreasing depression in some individuals with autism.

Please see Autism and Depression Interventions for a list of peer-reviewed studies on this issue.

Anecdotal reports for interventions

There are some anecdotal reports that other interventions, including some of those listed below, may be effective for some individuals.

Further information

Please click on the names of the interventions below to find out more about those interventions.

The fact that an intervention is listed below does not necessarily mean that we agree that it is effective for people with autism.

Anti-Depressants and Autism Anti-Psychotics and Autism Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Autism Feingold Diet and Autism Olanzapine and Autism Risperidone and Autism

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Last Updated : 10/08/2010 Back to Top

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