Autism and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)

Did you know that GAD is one of the most common comorbidities with autism?

Let's break it down...

Generalized Anxiety Disorder: Chronic, excessive, uncontrollable anxiety that impairs daily functioning and is accompanied by 3 or more associated symptoms, which include... 

- Having a sense of impending danger or panic

- Inability to let go of worry

- Indecisiveness and fear of making wrong decision

- Poor concentration

- Increased heart rate & muscle tension

- Restlessness

- Irritability 

Autism: A neurological condition mainly characterized by difficulties with social interaction and communication and by restricted patterns of thought and behavior. 

Some signs of autism and not GAD are... 

Autism (not GAD) 

- Difficulty making friends

- Rigid/literal thinking

- Limited interests/hyperfocus

- Anxiety when routines are disrupted

- Difficulty understanding social “rules” 

- Executive Dysfunction 

Signs of Both Autism and GAD

- Sensory over/under sensitivities

- Social anxiety, difficulty with eye contact

- Repetitive movements (stims)

- Perfectionism

- Emotional dysregulation/meltdowns

- Rejection sensitivity

- Sleep issues