What Is the Link Between Autism and Depression?

Autistic people are four times more likely to experience depression. Learn about symptoms, challenges, treatments, and support strategies to improve mental health.

Autism, or autism spectrum disorder (ASD), is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects how a person thinks, communicates, and interacts with the world. It is called a spectrum condition because it presents differently in each person, with a wide range of strengths and challenges.

While autism spectrum disorder itself is not a mental health condition, an autistic person can experience many mental health challenges, including depression. Read on to learn more about how depression can manifest differently in autistic individuals and the unique challenges they face in seeking support.

What’s the link between depression and autism?

Depression is a common mental health condition, and autistic people might experience it at significantly higher rates. Research shows that autistic people are four times more likely to develop a depressive disorder than nonautistic people. Despite this, many struggle to access appropriate support due to communication barriers, unmet needs, and a lack of autism-informed mental health services. 

Depression is more than occasional sadness—it’s a persistent condition that can impact daily life. Common depressive symptoms include:

• Prolonged feelings of sadness or hopelessness
• Loss of interest in once-enjoyed activities
• Changes in appetite or sleep patterns
• Social withdrawal and isolation
• Suicidal thoughts or ideation

In autistic individuals, depression symptoms can manifest differently. Rather than expressing sadness verbally, they may show increased repetitive behaviors like stimming, experience heightened sensory sensitivities, or become more withdrawn. Many autistic people also experience alexithymia—difficulty identifying and expressing emotions—which can make it harder to recognize depression and seek help. Research suggests that alexithymia may be a stronger predictor of clinical depression in autistic people than autism itself.

The link between autism, depression, and suicide

According to one study, some autistic adults are nine times more likely to experience suicidal thoughts than non-autistic individuals. Contributing factors include:

• Masking and camouflaging: The effort to suppress autistic traits to fit in can be emotionally exhausting and increase depression risk.
• Unmet support needs: A lack of autism-specific mental health support leads to higher stress levels and emotional distress.
• Co-occurring conditions: Learning disabilities and epilepsy, both more common in autistic people, have been linked to higher rates of depression.

If you or someone you know is in crisis or experiencing suicidal ideation, this is a mental health emergency. Call or text the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 or visit 988Lifeline.org.

What are treatment options for autistic people with depression?

Depression is challenging, but with the right support, an autistic individual can find strategies to improve their well-being and lead fulfilling lives. If you are autistic and experiencing depression, seeking help is important. Here are some kinds of care to seek:

1. Professional support

• Seeing a doctor: Medical visits can be overwhelming, but tools like health passports or writing concerns in advance can make them easier. Under the law, healthcare providers must make reasonable adjustments to accommodate autistic patients.
• Medication: Some autistic people find antidepressants helpful, though sensitivities vary. Discussing options with a doctor can help determine the best approach.
• Therapy: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is commonly recommended, but traditional CBT may not always be effective for autistic individuals. Adapted CBT, which considers autistic communication and thinking patterns, has shown promise, though more research is needed.

2. Neurodivergent-affirming care

There is still much work to be done to improve mental health support for autistic individuals. Organizations involved in autism research aim to provide comprehensive care to all autistic people by 2030 from the moment they seek care in order to foster a safer and more accommodating world, as well as improve on identifying risk factors to increase early intervention. 

If you or someone you know is struggling, resources such as the National Autistic Society, autism support networks, and mental health professionals can provide guidance.

3. Self-care strategies

Beyond medical treatment, everyday strategies can help in treating depression:

• Community support: Talking to friends, family, or autism-specific support groups can provide comfort and reassurance.
• Social prescribing: Activities like gardening, walking groups, or creative hobbies can improve mental well-being.
• Maintaining healthy routines: Eating regular meals, staying hydrated, and getting enough sleep can support mental health.
• Spending time in nature: Being outdoors, even in small ways like visiting a park, can help lower stress and improve mood.
• Speech therapy: For autistic individuals who experience communication challenges, speech therapy can help improve self-expression, reducing frustration and emotional distress.
• Finding enjoyable movement: Exercise, even in small and accessible forms, can reduce symptoms of depression. Occupational therapy can help identify suitable activities for those with physical disabilities.

How Charlie Health can help

If you or a loved one are struggling with autism and depression, Charlie Health is here to help. Charlie Health’s virtual Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) provides more than once-weekly mental health treatment for dealing with serious mental health conditions, including autism and depression, childhood trauma, and more. Our expert clinicians incorporate evidence-based therapies into person counseling, family therapy, and group sessions. With treatment, managing autism and depression, as well as other mental health concerns, is possible. Fill out the form below or give us a call to start healing today.