Sometimes, the same symptoms occur in both autism and anxiety disorders, so it’s difficult to know which one came first. Managing anxiety in autistic children and adults is complicated. If you have autism, you might experience:
Some research suggests that around 50% of autistic adults and children live with anxiety.
urinary retention (when your bladder doesn’t feel empty)Īnxiety is a common co-occurring condition in autistic people. The most common side effects of tricyclics are: Taking even a small amount over your normal dose can lead to an overdose. You may also have a higher chance of overdosing with tricyclics than other antidepressants. Tricyclic medications are less commonly used because they tend to cause more severe side effects than SSRIs. This increases availability of these neurotransmitters in the central nervous system, which is believed to help improve behaviors such as: They work by reducing the reuptake, or absorption, of two neurotransmitters - norepinephrine (also called noradrenaline) and serotonin. Tricyclic antidepressants are the oldest of the antidepressants, dating back to the 1960s. This warning has been in effect since 2004. The FDA continues to require black box warnings on SSRI labels advising of an increased risk of suicidal ideation and behavior in teens and young adults. Parents and caregivers of autistic children are often concerned that the long-term effects of SSRIs have yet to be fully determined. SSRIs can have significant side effects, such as: In fact, according to a 2019 clinical trial, approximately 21% to 32% of autistic children and adolescents are prescribed SSRIs. Yet, these medications remain widely prescribed because they sometimes help manage symptoms of conditions that co-occur with autism, like anxiety and depression. These findings echo results from earlier research. However, two other more recent studies - one in 2019 and another in 2020 - show that SSRIs, particularly fluoxetine (Prozac), do not improve repetitive behaviors in autistic children and adolescents. Also, it has been approved by the FDA for treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) in children, though not for autism. Sertraline is often the top choice because its side effects are milder than those of other SSRIs and because it has fewer interactions with other drugs. 
The SSRIs most commonly prescribed to autistic people are fluoxetine and sertraline. Research indicates that SSRIs might help reduce the intensity and frequency of these autism-related behaviors: They work by changing your levels of serotonin - a neurotransmitter in the brain believed to be responsible for stabilizing your mood.
If you see anything concerning, reach out to your healthcare or mental health professional.Ī class of antidepressants called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are commonly used to treat depression. If you or your child are prescribed medication, consider monitoring for behavior changes and side effects, and track progress. In some cases, medication might be used to help manage certain conditions that often occur alongside autism.īut medications are not intended to act as a “cure” for autism. Services typically include behavioral therapies and educational programs. There is no single best way to manage autism. This will help them develop the right management plan for you. So, clinicians will work with you to determine the level of your individual needs. The level of support needed varies from person to person. There is no cure for autism spectrum disorder, but medications might help improve some behaviors related to the condition, such as hyperactivity and aggression.Īutism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder, meaning it can affect the way a person behaves, interacts, and communicates.Īutism exists on a spectrum, and there’s a wide range of support needs within that spectrum.
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