Autism and anxiety

Everyone gets anxiety in their life, what studies measure its interaction with ASD? Is anxiety more prevalent in ASD?

An estimated 4.05% of the global population has an anxiety disorder, translating to 301 million people (study).

In the UK, 7.5% are diagnosed with GAD and around 1 in 6 meet the criteria for a common mental disorder (NHS)

Autism has a higher rate 10.1017/S0033291718002283:

Lifetime prevalence for adults with ASD were 27% and 42% for any anxiety disorder, and 23% and 37% for depressive disorder"

(lifetime prevalence being the proportion of a population that has experienced a specific health condition, behaviour, or risk factor)

Note: the DSM definition for GAD is

Excessive anxiety and worry occurring more days than not for at least 6 months, about a number of events or activities

So the anxiety is difficult to control, and there is restlessness, being easily fatigued, difficulty concentrating, irritability, muscle tension, sleep disturbance.

Other mental health issues

And from this study about mental health diagnoses co-occurring with ASD:

• 28% ADHD
• 20% anxiety disorders;
• 13% sleep-wake disorders;
• 12% disruptive, impulse-control, and conduct disorders;
• 11% depressive disorders;
• 9% obsessive-compulsive disorder;
• 5% bipolar disorders;
• 4% schizophrenia