Anxiety Disorders in Autistic People: A Narrative Review

Hillary K Schiltz; Alana J McVey; Catherine Lord

doi:10.1016/j.psc.2024.04.016

Anxiety Disorders in Autistic People: A Narrative Review

Psychiatr Clin North Am. 2024 Dec;47(4):753-773. doi: 10.1016/j.psc.2024.04.016. Epub 2024 May 28.

Authors

Hillary K Schiltz¹, Alana J McVey², Catherine Lord³

Affiliations

¹ Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, University of California, Los Angeles, 760 Westwood Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA. Electronic address: hschiltz@mednet.ucla.edu.
² Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, 2815 Eastlake Avenue E Suite 200, Seattle, WA 98102, USA; Seattle Children's Autism Center, 6901 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle, WA 98115, USA.
³ Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, University of California, Los Angeles, 760 Westwood Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.

PMID: 39505452
DOI: 10.1016/j.psc.2024.04.016

Abstract

Anxiety is the most common co-occurring mental health condition across the lifespan for autistic people. The authors summarize the extant research on prevalence, correlates and predictors, measurement, and treatment of anxiety disorders in autistic people, which has rapidly expanded in the past decade. In addition to addressing gaps within each of these areas, the authors propose that there is a need for future work to center autistic perspectives, employ longitudinal designs, and expand the focus to include autistic adults and those with co-occurring intellectual disability.

Keywords: Anxiety disorders; Autism; Correlates; Measurement; Prevalence; Treatment.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Anxiety Disorders* / complications
Anxiety Disorders* / epidemiology
Autism Spectrum Disorder / complications
Autism Spectrum Disorder / epidemiology
Autistic Disorder* / complications
Autistic Disorder* / psychology
Comorbidity
Humans