People with autism often have different sensory experiences, cognitive styles, and interests than non-autistic people. These differences can be a source of strength and diversity, but they can also pose challenges in everyday life.
One of the common challenges that many people with autism face is anxiety. Anxiety is a feeling of unease, such as worry or fear, that can be mild or severe. It becomes a clinical condition when experienced for a prolonged period of time and when it has a significant impact on a person’s life.
Research suggests that people with autism are more prone to experiencing anxiety and estimates that up to half of all people with autism experience high levels of anxiety on a regular basis.
Anxiety can affect their physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Anxiety can make it hard to concentrate, remember things, make decisions, or perform tasks. Anxiety can also affect their mood, motivation, and self-esteem.
In this blog post, we will explore some of the possible causes, signs, and solutions for anxiety in people with autism.
What are the causes of anxiety in people with autism?
There are many factors that can contribute to anxiety in people with autism. Some of the possible causes are:
- Sensory overload: People with autism may be more sensitive to sensory stimuli, such as sounds, lights, smells, textures, or temperatures.
Sensory overload can occur when the sensory input is too intense, too frequent, or too unpredictable for the person to process.
Sensory overload can cause stress, anxiety, headaches, nausea, or other physical symptoms. It can also drain the person's energy and mental resources.
- Social situations: People with autism may find social situations stressful or exhausting for various reasons.
For example, they may have difficulties with understanding social cues, expressing emotions, maintaining eye contact, or following conversational norms. They may also feel pressured to conform to social expectations or to mask their autistic traits.
Masking is a coping strategy that involves hiding or suppressing one's natural behaviors or feelings to fit in with others. Masking can be exhausting and harmful for the person's mental health and identity.
- Difficulty with uncertainty: People with autism may prefer routines and predictability in their daily lives.
Routines can provide a sense of order, security, and control. Changes in routine can be stressful or disruptive for people with autism.
They may have difficulties with adapting to new situations, coping with uncertainty, or managing transitions.
Changes in routine can also affect the person's sleep patterns, eating habits, or self-care routines.
- Performance anxiety: People with autism may have high standards for their academic or professional performance.
They may also face stigma, discrimination, or misunderstanding from society. These expectations and pressures can cause stress, anxiety, guilt, or shame. They can also affect the person's self-confidence and self-worth.
What are the signs of anxiety in people with autism?
Anxiety in people with autism can manifest in different ways for different people. Some of the possible signs of anxiety are:
- Changes in behavior: People with autism may exhibit changes in their behavior when they are anxious. For example, they may become more irritable, aggressive, withdrawn, or apathetic.
They may also lose interest in their hobbies, activities, or social interactions.
They may also increase their self-injurious behaviors (SIBs) or stimming behaviors.
SIBs are behaviors that cause physical harm to oneself, such as biting, scratching, hitting, or head-banging.
Stimming is a term that refers to self-stimulatory behaviors, such as rocking, flapping, spinning, humming, or tapping.
Stimming can be a way for people with autism to regulate their emotions, cope with stress, or express themselves.
However, stimming can also consume a lot of energy and attention.
- Changes in communication: People with autism may have difficulties with communicating their anxiety verbally or nonverbally.
For example, they may not use words or gestures to indicate their pain level or location.
They may also use unusual words or phrases to describe their anxiety sensations. They may also have difficulties with understanding others' expressions of anxiety or empathy.
They may also avoid eye contact or physical contact when they are anxious.
- Changes in physical appearance: People with autism may show changes in their physical appearance when they are anxious. For example, they may have pale skin, flushed cheeks, sweaty forehead, or dark circles under their eyes.
They may also have tense muscles, clenched teeth, or furrowed brows.
They may also adopt unusual postures or movements to avoid or relieve their anxiety.
What are the solutions for anxiety in people with autism?
Anxiety in people with autism can be prevented or reduced by taking care of one's physical, mental, and emotional needs.
Some of the possible solutions are:
- Seek medical help: Seeking medical help from professionals who are knowledgeable and respectful of autism is essential for diagnosing and treating anxiety conditions. The person with autism should have a thorough physical examination and medical history to rule out any underlying causes of their anxiety. They should also have access to appropriate medications, therapies, or interventions that can help them manage their anxiety effectively and safely.
- Use sensory strategies: Using sensory strategies can help people with autism to cope with sensory overload and anxiety. Sensory strategies involve modifying the environment or using tools or techniques to reduce or enhance sensory input. For example, the person with autism can use earplugs, headphones or sunglasses,to block out unwanted sounds, lights, or sights.
They can also use weighted blankets, massage, or aromatherapy to provide soothing tactile, pressure, or olfactory sensations.
They can also use fidget toys, chewy items, or music to provide stimulating oral, motor, or auditory sensations.
- Use relaxation techniques: Using relaxation techniques can help people with autism to reduce stress and anxiety. Relaxation techniques involve using breathing, visualization, or meditation exercises to calm the mind and body.
For example, the person with autism can practice deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, or guided imagery to lower their heart rate, blood pressure, and muscle tension.
They can also practice mindfulness, yoga, or tai chi to increase their awareness and acceptance of their present moment experience.
- Seek support: Seeking support from others can help people with autism to cope with anxiety and its impact on their life.
The person with autism can reach out to their family, friends, peers, mentors, or professionals who understand and respect their needs and preferences.
They can also join online or offline communities of people with autism or anxiety who share their experiences and offer advice and encouragement.
Autism and anxiety are closely related phenomena that can affect many aspects of a person's life.
People with autism may experience anxiety more often or more intensely than non-autistic people for various reasons, such as sensory overload, social situations, difficulty with uncertainty, or performance anxiety.
Anxiety in people with autism can manifest in different ways, such as changes in behavior, communication, or physical appearance.
Anxiety in people with autism can be prevented or reduced by taking care of one's physical, mental, and emotional needs. Some of the possible solutions are seeking medical help, using sensory strategies, using relaxation techniques, or seeking support.
If you are a person with autism who is experiencing anxiety, you are not alone. There are many resources and people who can help you. You deserve to live a fulfilling and happy life.
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Sources:
[Anxiety in autistic people - National Autistic Society](^1^)
[Anxiety - Autism | Autistica | Autistica](^4^)
[Autism and Anxiety - Autism Research Institute](^3^)
[Anxiety - National Autistic Society](^2^)
Source: Conversation with Bing, 14/08/2023
(1) Anxiety in autistic people - National Autistic Society. https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/professional-practice/anxiety-autism.
(2) Anxiety - Autism | Autistica | Autistica. https://www.autistica.org.uk/what-is-autism/signs-and-symptoms/anxiety-and-autism.
(3) Autism and Anxiety - Autism Research Institute. https://autism.org/autism-and-anxiety/.
(4) Anxiety. https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/topics/mental-health/anxiety.
