How CBT can help Neurodivergent people and others with emotional health challenges.

The Autism Research Institute notes “Anxiety disorders are the most common mental disorder in the United States, affecting about 18% of the general population. Research has shown that the incidence of anxiety in people with autism may be significantly higher than in the general population.”

(Image: autistic artists Director Tim Burton, Musician Maja Toudal. Burton has openly discussed being autistic, and experiencing depression and anxiety. (See more in references below.)

Therapist Tara Geraghty-Ellis, MSW notes “There are a few mental health conditions that often co-occur with autism, including anxiety, depression, and obsessive-compulsive disorder.”

She explains much more in her article CBT for Adults with Autism.

Here are some excerpts, followed by reference and resources:

Anxiety and depression are two of the most common comorbidities. Anxiety and depression are more prevalent in the autistic community, compared to the general population.

40% of autistic people have elevated anxiety levels or an anxiety disorder. The Simons Foundation Powering Autism Research (SPARK) autism research project surveyed adults with autism and found that 47% scored above clinical cut-offs for depression and 83% had been diagnosed with depression.

What Causes People with Autism Anxiety?

Autistic individuals face certain challenges that may be the cause behind the elevated anxiety levels found in the community.

Some things that might cause anxiety in someone with autism include:

* Disruptions to their routine, even small ones.

* Unfamiliar or unpredictable social situations.

* Situations where it’s hard to know what other people are thinking or feeling their own thoughts and feelings, especially unfamiliar or unpleasant ones, or the physical symptoms that can accompany them.

Because many autistic individuals struggle with social interaction and communication, stress, and anxiety can be caused by navigating difficult social situations.

The autistic brain also can struggle with changes in routine or any type of unexpected change, and identifying, understanding, and managing emotions (a condition known as alexithymia).

What Causes People with Autism to Experience Depression

» For more, see the transcript.

[In case you didn't know already, the voice is AI-generated.]

References and Resources

Autism and Anxiety page, Autism Research Institute.

Being Both Highly Sensitive and Autistic: The Sensitive Autistic Neurotype

See more of my Sensitive & Neurodivergent posts.

Image with Director Tim Burton, Musician Maja Toudal is from my post Autism: Imagination, Attention and Other Assets for Creative People.

Maja Toudal: “I remember kind of being told as a teenager when I was diagnosed that autistic people aren’t that creative.”

Google: “Tim Burton has openly discussed experiencing depression, anxiety, and feeling like an outsider throughout his life, often channeling these emotions into his dark, gothic, and whimsical art. He has described the internet as a source of anxiety that makes him feel “depressed” and “scared,” choosing to avoid it to maintain his mental well-being.”

» Also see video lists

Neurodivergent & Neurocomplex

Anxiety Relief - Managing Stress

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Personal note: I have come to learn about how many aspects of autism have affected my life. Many years ago, working as a visual effects camera operator (before the ‘modern’ era of computer graphics), I used cocaine to help keep me going for 12-18 hour shifts, and also found it eased my life-long depression and anxiety. But I developed a 3-year addiction that negatively impacted my life in many ways. Working with a CBT psychotherapist helped get me past the addiction.

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