Anxiousness: Could You Experience Being Anxious For Nothing?
If you have any of these symptoms and happen to also have autism, know you’re not alone.
Research consistently shows that individuals on the autism spectrum are more likely to experience feelings of anxiousness compared to the general population.
While prevalence estimates vary, some studies suggest that up to 40 percent or more of autistic individuals may meet the criteria for at least one anxiety disorder.
This is significantly higher than the estimated 7.3% prevalence of anxiety disorders in the general population. Often, symptoms of anxiety or depression are interlinked, as are other co-occurring conditions, which makes it harder to identify anxiety disorders.
Anxiousness is typically defined as having:
- Extreme muscle tension
- Irritability
- Feelings of fear or despair
- Restlessness or discomfort
- Sleep disturbances or insomnia
- Rapid heart rate
- Inability to concentrate or focus
- Loss of joy or emotions attributed to feeling depressed
- Changes in appetite
- Irrational phobias and aversions
So, why are autistics more apt to have anxiety, either specialized at particular triggers or appear they are being anxious for nothing? It appears that there are many ways that anxiousness and anxiety can interact, and while researchers continue to explore why there is often a connection, there seem to be some strong connections about why it is often co-occurring.
Having said that, however, it’s important to know that each individual can experience each differently. There is no defined path or commonality, which is why autism is such a broad spectrum.
Autism Characteristics Contributing to Symptoms of Anxiety or Depression
Social Challenges: Difficulties in understanding and navigating social situations can lead to significant anxiety in social contexts.
Sensory Sensitivities: Heightened or unusual responses to sensory stimuli can make everyday environments overwhelming and anxiety-inducing.
Need for Predictability: A strong preference for routine and difficulty with change can result in anxiety when faced with unexpected situations, and even lead to an anxiety attack at work, school, or home.
Executive Functioning Difficulties: Challenges with planning, organization, and time management can create stress and anxiety in various life domains.
Communication Differences: Struggles with expressing needs, feelings, or experiences can lead to frustration and anxiety, especially when it is difficult to express needs or when others misunderstand or don’t comprehend meaning.
Special Interests: While often a source of joy, intense focus on specific topics can sometimes lead to anxiety if interrupted or not accommodated, or challenging tasks aren’t understood.
How Anxiety Impacts Autism: Seeing the Symptoms of Anxiety or Depression
Because of the tendencies to try and mask the symptoms of anxiety or depression, or other co-occurring conditions like OCD and ADHD, anxiousness can sometimes be harder to diagnose. But the very act of trying to “fit in” with others or not appear to have mental health disorders can cause intense feelings of being overwhelmed, having a meltdown, or experiencing anxiousness.
In some ways, anxiousness becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy, and that’s not a good way to try and live your best life.
Intensified Autistic Traits: Anxiety can exacerbate autistic characteristics, such as increased stimming or more pronounced social withdrawal.
Reduced Flexibility: Heightened anxiety can make it even more challenging for autistic individuals to adapt to changes or new situations.
Sensory Overload: Anxiety can lower the threshold for sensory overload, making previously manageable environments overwhelming.
Social Avoidance: Increased anxiety can lead to greater avoidance of social situations, potentially hindering the development of social skills.
Meltdowns or Shutdowns: Anxiety can contribute to more frequent or intense meltdowns or shutdowns in autistic individuals.
Sleep Disturbances: Anxiety often interferes with sleep, which can have cascading effects on overall functioning and well-being.
Increased Repetitive Behaviors: Anxiety might lead to an increase in repetitive behaviors or rituals, which may be mistaken for typical autistic traits rather than recognized as anxiety symptoms.
Changes in Special Interests: Anxiety might manifest as an intensification of focus on special interests, or conversely, a loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities.
Physical Symptoms: Some autistic individuals may experience more pronounced physical symptoms of anxiety, such as stomachaches, headaches, or muscle tension.
Masking or Camouflaging: Anxiety might lead to increased efforts to mask autistic traits in social situations, which can be exhausting and further anxiety-inducing.
Difficulty Expressing Anxiety: Some autistic individuals may struggle to identify or articulate their anxious feelings, instead displaying behavioral changes or physical symptoms.
Increased Rigidity: Anxiety might manifest as increased insistence on sameness or adherence to routines. Anxiety can also manifest as the opposite, as in being overly indecisive.
Sensory Seeking or Avoidance: Anxiety might lead to changes in sensory-seeking or avoidance behaviors as a means of self-regulation.
Understanding these unique manifestations is crucial for accurate diagnosis and effective support.
Being Anxious for Nothing And Its Impact on Daily Life
The co-occurrence of autism and anxiety can have profound effects on an individual’s daily life, influencing various domains:
Education: Anxiousness can interfere with learning and academic performance, potentially leading to underachievement, despite high intellectual capabilities.
Employment: Workplace anxiety and the possibility of an anxiety attack at work can make it challenging for autistic individuals to secure or maintain employment, even when highly skilled.
Relationships: Anxiety can complicate social interactions and relationships, potentially leading to social isolation.
Independence: Anxiety might hinder the development of independent living skills or the ability to navigate daily tasks autonomously.
Physical Health: Chronic anxiety can have long-term impacts on physical health, including increased risk of cardiovascular issues and other stress-related conditions.
Mental Health: The ongoing experience of unrest can contribute to the development of other mental health challenges, such as symptoms of anxiety or depression.
Quality of Life: The combined impact of autism and anxiety can significantly affect overall quality of life and life satisfaction.
Recognizing these potential impacts is crucial for developing comprehensive support strategies that address both autism-related needs and anxiety management.
Challenges in Diagnosis and Treatment Over Being Anxious For Nothing Inherent
Diagnosing and treating anxiety in autistic individuals presents several unique challenges:
Diagnostic Overshadowing: There’s a risk of attributing anxiety symptoms to autism itself, potentially leading to underdiagnosis of anxiety disorders.
Atypical Presentations: As mentioned earlier, anxiety may manifest differently in autistic individuals, requiring clinicians to be aware of these unique presentations.
Comorbidities: The presence of other co-occurring conditions, such as ADHD or depression, can further complicate diagnosis and treatment.
Sensory Sensitivities: Traditional therapy settings or techniques may need to be adapted to accommodate sensory needs.
Cognitive Differences: Some autistic individuals may process information differently, requiring adaptations to traditional cognitive-behavioral therapy approaches.
Medication Sensitivities: Autistic individuals may be more sensitive to the side effects of anxiety medications, necessitating careful medication management.
These challenges highlight the need for clinicians who are knowledgeable about both autism and anxiety, and who can tailor their approach to meet the unique needs of autistic individuals.
The Role of Support Systems In Managing Being Anxious for Nothing
The impact of co-occurring autism and anxiety often extends beyond the individual, affecting families, caregivers, and broader support systems.
Parents and caregivers often find themselves navigating a complex landscape, trying to balance the needs associated with autism support and anxiety management.
Key considerations for support systems include: Advocating for appropriate accommodations in educational, workplace, and healthcare settings; learning specific strategies to help autistic individuals manage anxiety in various contexts; and coordinating care that may include managing multiple healthcare providers and interventions often falls to families and caregivers, requiring significant time and energy.
In addition, support systems may need to consider appropriate financial support and interventions, which could have significant financial implications for families and also plan for long-term support needs, as autistic individuals who may also have anxiety and other co-occurring conditions transition into adulthood.
Recognizing and supporting the needs of these broader support systems is crucial for ensuring the best outcomes for autistic individuals experiencing anxiety.
The Importance of Self-Advocacy and Autistic Voices
This shift towards prioritizing autistic perspectives has led to valuable insights and a more nuanced understanding of the lived experiences of individuals on the spectrum.
Self-advocacy has emerged as a crucial aspect of this movement. Many autistic individuals are speaking out about their experiences with anxiety, sharing strategies that have worked for them, and advocating for better understanding and support in various settings.
Standing up for yourself is essential for several reasons:
Authentic Representation: Autistic individuals can provide firsthand accounts of how anxiety interacts with their autism, offering insights that may not be apparent to outside observers.
Challenging Stereotypes: By sharing their experiences, autistic self-advocates help to break down misconceptions about both autism and anxiety.
Informing Research and Practice: The perspectives of autistic individuals can guide research priorities and inform the development of more effective interventions.
Empowerment: Self-advocacy can be empowering for autistic individuals, fostering a sense of agency in managing their own health and well-being.
Peer Support: Autistic individuals sharing their experiences with anxiety can provide valuable peer support to others in the community.
Moving forward, it’s essential to continue raising awareness, conducting research, and developing tailored interventions that address the specific needs of autistic individuals experiencing anxiety.
By doing so, we can work toward a future where autistics have access to the support and understanding they need to thrive, managing anxiety effectively while embracing their unique strengths and perspectives.
Learn More About Anxiety and Autism
Here are related blogs I’ve written about managing anxiety. I hope they can be helpful:
- Anxiety and Autism: 5 Powerful Strategies to Conquer the Emotion
- Crowds Phobia and Autism: How to Tame Anxiety Overload
- Anxiety Attack At Work: 10 Worst Jobs for People With Social Anxiety
- Extreme Weather and Its Alarming Impact on Autism Emotions
- 6 Ways to Tackle Autism Fireworks Anxiety and Sensory Overload
- Young Adult Travel Group Way to Overcome Travel Anxiety
- 8 Proven Ways to Overcome Holiday Travel Anxiety
- Autism and Pets and How the Right Fit Brings Joy
- How Popular Iceberg Theory Explains Autism Symptoms in Adults
