Those who suffer from autism have a very difficult and challenging life. It is difficult for them to communicate their thoughts and feelings so others can understand them, and often have sensory issues. Even when they are surrounded by a loving and supportive family, they feel like they are alone, which is why so many people with autism suffer from anxiety and depression.
Since it is so difficult to identify depression and anxiety in an autistic person these conditions often go undiagnosed for quite some time, especially since an autistic person cannot tell you how they feel. Even those without autism have trouble explaining how they feel or identifying depression or anxiety in themselves that for an autistic person to realize that they are suffering from one of these conditions and to be able to convey those feelings to another person is not something that will happen very often.
Anxiety is difficult to pinpoint in autistic cases because the autistic person may show symptoms of anxiety on a daily basis. Many tasks can make an autistic very anxious, especially if the task breaks the autistic person's usual routine. An autistic person relies on order and sameness as a means of understanding his surroundings. Any change in routine can cause great anxiety, but this does not mean that the autistic person has an anxiety disorder.
Depression and anxiety are common in autism and they can be very difficult to treat. It is very difficult to even diagnose the conditions, and once they are identified they are difficult to address because autistic people have so many communication and social obstacles to overcome.
What usually happens is that a family member becomes concerned about their behaviour, or worries that they may be depressed or anxious and they are then put on medication. While you wouldn't want a perfectly healthy person to be taking anti-depressants or anti-anxiety drugs, with persons who have autism there are some other beneficial aspect of these medications, such as that they improve focus and decrease excessive movement that is common in many autistics.
Generally, as an autistic person gets older they will have more and more trouble functioning in society and may begin to show signs of depression or anxiety (or both). However, with today's medications for these conditions they can soon feel better and will improve even more with some therapy to help them to communicate their emotions.
Anyone who is concerned that their ward may be suffering from anxiety or depression should consult a health practitioner. With medication and therapy you may find that they are more focused, happier and less anxious with their daily tasks.
Since it is so difficult to identify depression and anxiety in an autistic person these conditions often go undiagnosed for quite some time, especially since an autistic person cannot tell you how they feel. Even those without autism have trouble explaining how they feel or identifying depression or anxiety in themselves that for an autistic person to realize that they are suffering from one of these conditions and to be able to convey those feelings to another person is not something that will happen very often.
Anxiety is difficult to pinpoint in autistic cases because the autistic person may show symptoms of anxiety on a daily basis. Many tasks can make an autistic very anxious, especially if the task breaks the autistic person's usual routine. An autistic person relies on order and sameness as a means of understanding his surroundings. Any change in routine can cause great anxiety, but this does not mean that the autistic person has an anxiety disorder.
Depression and anxiety are common in autism and they can be very difficult to treat. It is very difficult to even diagnose the conditions, and once they are identified they are difficult to address because autistic people have so many communication and social obstacles to overcome.
What usually happens is that a family member becomes concerned about their behaviour, or worries that they may be depressed or anxious and they are then put on medication. While you wouldn't want a perfectly healthy person to be taking anti-depressants or anti-anxiety drugs, with persons who have autism there are some other beneficial aspect of these medications, such as that they improve focus and decrease excessive movement that is common in many autistics.
Generally, as an autistic person gets older they will have more and more trouble functioning in society and may begin to show signs of depression or anxiety (or both). However, with today's medications for these conditions they can soon feel better and will improve even more with some therapy to help them to communicate their emotions.
Anyone who is concerned that their ward may be suffering from anxiety or depression should consult a health practitioner. With medication and therapy you may find that they are more focused, happier and less anxious with their daily tasks.
About the Author:
Jimmy Johnson is an accomplished author. For more about Autism Depression visit Treating Autism Today for current articles and discussions.
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