Are there any similarities in the appearance of autism and depression?

Question

Kristy H: I am wondering if these conditions may appear similar in individuals with one or the other.

I understand that there are what are sometimes refered to as 'ranges' for each condition, I am not interested in extreme instances.

Answer 1

In many people, yes. Although autism is a combination of dissorders that when listed have nothing to do with depression it often can be connected or give the appearance of the other (one they haven't got) to outsiders.
One of the risk factors for having an autistic child is if the mother has a history of depression. Someone may have both just by coincidence but I think it's a little closer linked (some professionals may say otherwise but in my experience, both in my family and working with people with autism and their families). Also if one is constantly feeling isolated, misunderstood, confused, singled out, frustrated, etc. as one may from autism depression is likely, especially if there is a family history.
On the other hand often the outward characteristics of the two can be similar to one who is not familiar with the person or does not have much knowledge of both issues.
Some who have high-functioning autism never realise until it is discovered in adulthood, often when they seek help for their prevalent history of depression. Children as young as 5 with verbal autism are often "moody" and make suicidal comments.

Answer 2

They are two different conditions altogether. However, it is not uncommon for an autie to be depressed since they are often misunderstood. It's easily dismissed since often the autism will be blamed for the manifestations of depression. For instance, it's easier to say "Sally is withdrawn and crying uncontrollably because she is autistic." with no thought given as to whether or not she may be depressed as well and in fact, acting out in a way that any neurotypical person would act with severe depression. I haven't heard it the other way around, though...

Answer 3

Can you elaborate? Are you talking about the appearance of autism and the joint diagnosis of depression in the one child, or the general upward trend in the increase in diagnoses of both autism and then the increase in depression.

Re: I am a behavior therapist who works, mainly, with children with autism. I have not heard of many duel diagnoses of Autism and Depression, though both are on the rise. Also, it is true, both have a "spectrum". This merely described the fact that there is not one level of severity. For example, with autism, there are high functioning children with autism, often referred to as Asperger's Syndrom (people with Asperger's are often highly intelligent but have difficulty with social skills, such as Bill Gates) and there is mild-severe levels of Autism, relating to the severity of impairment.

I believe Depression is similar, where there are various forms and levels of severity, though I am not as well versed in Depression.

Hope this answers your question, I was still a little lost on what exactly you were looking for.

Answer 4

People with high functioning autism may develop depression because they feel left out and are often judged on their deficits. however, the fundamental deficits in autism are communication and socialization.

People who are depressed may temporarily not want to socialize, however they retain the capability to do so. People with autism may learn how to socialize, but it is a learned skill rather than the instinctive one that neurotypical people share.

Answer 5

Autism shows up in infants and toddlers.
Depression doesn't occur at early ages.

Answer 6

nope

autism pretty extreme.

Answer 7

not that i know of