Heightened Anxiety and Depression Among Autistic Adolescents with ADHD: Findings From the National Survey of Children's Health 2016-2019

J Autism Dev Disord. 2024 Feb;54(2):563-576. doi: 10.1007/s10803-022-05803-9. Epub 2022 Nov 3.

Abstract

Data from the National Survey of Children's Health 2016-2019 was used to examine the co-occurrence of autism and ADHD and the impact on anxiety and depression among adolescents age 12-17. Rates of anxiety and depression were up to ten-fold the prevalence of adolescents not diagnosed with autism or ADHD. Over half of autistic females (57%) and nearly half of autistic males (49%) are also diagnosed with ADHD. Autistic females with ADHD had the highest co-occurrence of anxiety at 72% followed by autistic males with ADHD at 69%. The prevalence of depression was highest among autistic adolescents with ADHD yet was consistent across genders (male/female) at 38-39%. Adolescents diagnosed with autism and/or ADHD are at heightened risk for anxiety and depression.

Keywords: ADHD; Anxiety; Autism; Depression; Mental health; Prevalence.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Anxiety / diagnosis
  • Anxiety / epidemiology
  • Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity* / diagnosis
  • Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity* / epidemiology
  • Autism Spectrum Disorder* / epidemiology
  • Autistic Disorder*
  • Child
  • Child Health
  • Depression / diagnosis
  • Depression / epidemiology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male