Neurodiversity and anxiety: how to provide support in a pandemic

According to a new study, one in five autistic adults may have an anxiety disorder, making them more than twice as likely to be diagnosed than their neurotypical counterparts.

Believing that specific anxiety disorders for adults on the autism spectrum is under-researched, researchers used the Stockholm Youth Cohort to study the health records of adults aged 18 to 27. Of the 221,694 people sampled, 4,049 have an autism diagnosis.

They found that over a fifth of adults on the autism spectrum have been diagnosed with an anxiety disorder, as compared to less than nine percent of the general population. Of the anxiety disorders included in the study, almost 3.5 percent of autistic adults have obsessive-compulsive disorder and just over three percent have social phobia.

“Anyone working with autistic people ought to be looking at anxiety carefully,” said Mikle South in an interview with Spectrum News. 

What does this mean for autistic adults now, in the midst of the COVID-19 outbreak?

For individuals who are already struggling with adjusting to new routines, abrupt schedule changes, and fears of the unknown, these new anxieties have only compounded existing problems.

“It’s tricky to get people with obsessive-compulsive behavior to focus on taking reasonable precautions without fueling their condition,” said Neda Gould, associate director of an anxiety clinic at the Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center in an article for the Associated Press. “A mental health provider can help them set goals and limits while techniques for relaxation and meditation can help turn off that heightened anxiety or stress response…or at least to turn it down.”

If you or a loved one is on the spectrum, has an anxiety disorder, and are struggling, here are some suggestions provided by Gould and other mental health professionals to help you navigate these tough times:

1️. Focus on what you can control. 

Keep to a schedule, albeit a flexible one, that mixes “business with pleasure.” Maintain a healthy balance of work and fun activities, and build in choices that can help you make informed decisions.

2. Stay connected. 

Social distancing should not inhibit your social interactions. Use digital tools — like social media, email, phone calls, or video conferencing — to stay connected with friends, family, and members of your support team (doctors, therapists, teachers, etc.). Sometimes, it can be difficult to reach out if you are feeling overwhelmed, so consider asking loved ones to contact and check in on you periodically.

3. Limit your news intake. 

While it is important to stay updated, it is unhealthy to keep a news channel running “in the background” throughout the day. Designate one or two times of day to check in on the current state of the world. If you need a distraction, tackle a cleaning project, prepare a meal, or go outside for a walk. 

4️. Maintain perspective. 

You might need another person’s help on this, but identify the difference between what is possible versus what is probable. Recognize the anxiety and anxious thoughts and identify them as such — not as facts or truths.

I believe Kerry Magro put it best: “If this pandemic has taught us anything, it’s that we need unity more now than ever. Let’s support one another during these times. Acknowledge how you feel to somebody close to you. The worst thing you can do is listen to sometime who says ‘deal with it.’ Your feelings are valid.”

Please know that I am here for you, rooting for you, and want to support you however I can in these stressful and uncertain times. If I can help you in anyway, please do not hesitate to reach out. Be well and stay safe!