Autism and other health conditions

Being autistic is not an illness. But autistic people do have other health problems more often than many others. These can be mental health problems, such as anxiety or depression, or body problems, such as seizures, poor sleep or an upset stomach.^1,3

These problems are real and they can be treated. They are not "just part of being autistic," and they should not be brushed aside. This page explains what is common, what to watch for, and how to find care that works for an autistic adult.

Why do other conditions happen with autism?

Researchers do not have one simple answer. Some conditions may share causes in the brain and genes with autism. Others grow out of daily life. Years of sensory overload, social strain and hiding who you are can wear a person down. Many autistic adults also go years without a diagnosis or the right support.

It is also easy for signs to be missed. A doctor may blame everything on autism, so a treatable problem goes unnoticed. Or autistic traits may hide the usual signs of anxiety or sadness. Autistic people may show distress in different ways, so telling a clinician about changes from your usual self can help. Learn more about signs of autism in adults.

Anxiety

Anxiety is the most common companion of autism. A large review of 35 studies, covering about 26,000 autistic adults, estimated that 27% had an anxiety disorder at the time of the study. That is a bit more than 1 in 4. Counting a person's whole life, the figure rose to 42%, or about 4 in 10.⁴

Anxiety can look like constant worry about change, dread before social events, panic or a racing body. It can also grow out of sensory overload, such as a loud store. Sometimes it looks like a stronger need for routine. The tricky part is telling anxiety from autistic traits, since the two overlap.² A clinician who knows autism can help sort this out.

Anxiety is treatable. Therapy that is adapted for autistic people often helps. Medicine is sometimes used too.³ See our pages on anxiety and on support and therapy for autism.

Depression

The same review estimated that about 23% of autistic adults (nearly 1 in 4) had depression at the time of the study. Over a lifetime, the figure was 37%.⁴ These studies had limits. They used different methods and mostly looked at people who were already in clinics, so the true numbers may differ.⁴

Depression may show up as low mood, but also as losing interest in special interests, pulling away, sleeping or eating differently, or having less energy for daily tasks. Autistic burnout, a deep exhaustion from years of coping, can look much like depression. See autistic burnout. Both deserve care. Read more about depression.

Thoughts of suicide

This is a hard topic, and it is important. Autistic people are more likely to think about suicide and to attempt it than other people. In a large Swedish study of more than 54,000 autistic people, the risk of suicide attempt and of death by suicide was higher than in matched people without autism.⁶ The risk was highest for autistic people without an intellectual disability who also had ADHD. It was also higher in autistic women than men in that group.⁶

In a smaller online survey of autistic adults, three things stood out as linked to suicidal thoughts and actions: hiding autistic traits to fit in, having needs for support that were not met, and hurting oneself without meaning to die.⁵ This tells us something hopeful. Better support, acceptance and mental health care can lower the risk.

ADHD

Autism and ADHD (attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder) often go together. Trouble with focus, restlessness and acting on impulse are among the features that doctors see in many autistic people.¹ In adults, the two can look alike, and some signs overlap.² Both can be present at the same time.

Getting the right answer matters. ADHD can be treated, and its treatment may help daily life. It also matters for safety, since having both autism and ADHD was linked with higher suicide risk in the Swedish study.⁶ See ADHD in adults and getting an adult ADHD diagnosis. ADHD itself often comes with sleep problems, anxiety and depression.¹⁰

Epilepsy and seizures

Epilepsy is a condition in which the brain sometimes sends out sudden bursts of electrical activity, causing seizures. The CDC lists epilepsy among the health problems that go along with autism.¹

A seizure can look like a full-body shaking spell. It can also be quiet, such as staring, a brief loss of awareness, or odd repeated movements. Quiet seizures can be mistaken for daydreaming or an autistic "shutdown." If you or someone you love has these episodes, tell a doctor. Seizures can be treated with medicine.³

Sleep problems

Trouble falling asleep, waking in the night and waking too early are common with autism.^1,2 Poor sleep can make anxiety, mood and focus worse, so it is worth fixing. A doctor can check for causes, such as sleep apnea, pain or medicine effects, as well as anxiety.

Steady routines, a dark and quiet bedroom, and sensory choices such as the right sheets and sounds can help. See healthy sleep habits and insomnia.

Melatonin is a hormone supplement that people often try. NIH reports that a review of studies in children with autism found it helped them fall asleep faster and sleep longer. That summary does not cover adults, so ask your doctor.⁸ Moderate evidence Ask a doctor or pharmacist before trying it, and about the quality of the product. See sleep medicines.

Stomach and bowel problems

Constipation and other stomach and bowel problems are common in autistic people.^1,3 Pain or discomfort may be hard to describe. It may show up as irritability, poor sleep, refusing food or behavior changes instead. If an autistic person who cannot easily tell you what hurts is suddenly upset, a stomach or other body problem is worth checking.

Tell the doctor about any changes. Do not start a special diet or strong supplement without medical advice. Diets can leave out important nutrients, and the evidence for most diets in autism is limited.⁸

Eating differences

Many autistic people are very particular about food. Taste, smell, texture and how food looks can matter a great deal. The CDC lists unusual eating habits among traits seen in autism.¹ For most people, this is a matter of preference. It does not mean something is wrong.

Sometimes, though, eating becomes limited enough to harm health. A person may avoid foods because of sensory reasons or fear of choking, without any concern about body shape. This is a kind of eating disorder called ARFID. Autistic people can also have other eating disorders. In a review of studies, about 1 in 20 people with anorexia, bulimia or binge-eating disorder also had an autism diagnosis.⁷ Autism was most often found in people with anorexia.⁷

Eating disorders are serious but treatable, and early help matters. Tell a doctor if eating is shrinking a person's world, if there is major weight change, or if they feel faint, weak or dizzy. If you need support, the National Alliance for Eating Disorders helpline is (866) 662-1235, Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Eastern time.¹² For an emergency, such as fainting, chest pain or confusion, call 911. See eating disorders, types of eating disorders and helping someone with an eating disorder.

Getting mental health care that fits

Many clinics are not set up for autistic people. You can still get good care. These steps help:

1. Say that you are autistic when you book and at the start of the visit. Ask for a clinician with autism experience if you can. The CDC advises seeing a doctor who has experience with autism when medicines are used.³
2. Ask for adjustments before you go. These could include a quiet room, dimmer lights, extra time, clear and direct language, written questions, or a visit by video or message.
3. Write down your main concerns and bring them. Describe what changed, such as sleep, meltdowns, or losing interest in your usual things, using examples.
4. Bring a support person if it helps. They can speak up and remember what was said.
5. Ask for a written summary of the plan, so nothing depends on memory.
6. Speak up if a treatment does not fit. Talk therapy for autistic adults may need to be more concrete and visual, and slower than usual. Ask your clinician about this.

Medicines can help with certain co-occurring problems, such as anxiety, depression, seizures, sleep or stomach trouble. There is no medicine that treats autism itself.³ Your doctor should watch for side effects and check whether the benefits outweigh them.³ Talk with your doctor or pharmacist before changing anything.

Be careful with unproven treatments

Some websites and sellers promise to "cure" autism or its related problems. NIH reports there is no scientific evidence that chelation, hyperbaric oxygen, secretin or antifungal drugs help, and some may be dangerous.⁸ Autism does not need to be cured. Treat what causes distress, and check with a doctor first. See support and therapy.

Other conditions and later life

Anxiety, depression, sleep trouble and stomach problems can continue into older age, and new body problems can join them. Adults who learn they are autistic late in life may have gone years with these conditions unrecognized. See autism in later life.

When to get help

• Call 911 for immediate danger, a long or repeated seizure, fainting or trouble breathing.
• Call or text 988 at any hour for thoughts of suicide or emotional crisis.¹¹
• Call a doctor soon if worry, low mood, poor sleep, pain or changes in eating last more than a couple of weeks or get in the way of daily life.
• Call a doctor right away for a new type of seizure, a sudden big change in behavior, or severe belly pain.

You can also visit our help page and our guide to finding a therapist.

Return to the autism overview or read about getting an autism diagnosis as an adult, daily life, work and autistic burnout, and supporting an autistic family member.

Education only. This page is general information written from the sources listed. It is not medical, legal or financial advice and does not replace a doctor, therapist or lawyer who knows your situation. How we write and check pages.