I have a question about autism and depression?

I was born with autism and for the past 3 months, I've been feeling sad. I also have physical problems like eating and sleeping. If you don't know what autism is, it's a disorder where you socialize very little or not at all. Also, they're sensitive in feelings and hearing. Could I have depression and autism at the same time?

I'm not taking any meds for autism.

Absolutely: having one 'disorder' (I'm hesitant to call autism, especially high-functioning as yours obviously is, a disorder as this is offensive to many people with autism!) does not mean you cannot have another. Here is very very recent review to confirm this:

Stewart ME, Barnard L, Pearson J, Hasan R, O'Brien G, 2006

Depression is common in autism and Asperger syndrome, but despite this, there has been little research into this issue. This review considers the current literature on the prevalence, presentation, treatment and assessment of depression in autism and Asperger syndrome. There are diagnostic difficulties when considering depression in autism and Asperger syndrome, as the characteristics of these disorders, such as social withdrawal and appetite and sleep disturbance, are also core symptoms of depression. Impaired verbal and non-verbal communication can mask the symptoms of depression. Symptoms associated with autism and Asperger syndrome such as obsessionality and self-injury may be increased during an episode of depression. There is a clear need to develop specific tools both for diagnostic purposes and for measurement of depression in autism and Asperger syndrome in order to help alleviate the distress caused by this treatable illness.

I believe you can get the full-text of that artical on www.pubmed.org http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query...
but you may have to pay... try searching the web?

Anyway, I'm pretty sure that treatment will be the basic SSRI meds, but I would of course recommend psychological methods first- much more effective in the long run, and less likely to have side-effects! Cognitive-behavioural therapy works wonders...

All the best, I hope that helps!

Yes, in fact depression is a very common side affect from Autism. Like you said, with an autistic person comes little social life. This results from being closed in, and perpetuated by hobbies that filled in the empty space, taking away even more social time. And with out this time to practice a social life, when one with autism goes out into the world to try and meet someone, they feel horrible because they didn't learn how to connect. A ton of side affects come from autism, and a ton of offshoot side affect comes from depressoin, like abnormal eating habits, and sleeping. gotta get some happy! its hard, I've been through it, and it takes looking at yourself with a whole new picture and looking at life with an even greater picture.
sincerely good luck.

If you are taking any medications for your Autism, it may be causing the depression. When I looked into giving my son meds the side effect of many/most of the medicines was depression.

Hey Jewell, yeah someone can definitely have both Autism and depression at the same time. I would think that living with Autism can be very difficult and, especially, lonely and/or isolating. Therefore, it would seem depression would very likely come with Autism. I agree that medication should be looked at. If you are on any, check the side effects. Also, there are treatments for the sleep and intestinal issues, so check with the doc. It doesn't even have to be meds for that, you can check out special diets and supplements, too. Best of lcuk, Jewel!!

Yes, it's very possibly, you could develop an eating disorder and/or depression, along with the Autism. Many individuals with ASDs (Autism Spectrum Disorders), especially females, develop eating disorders, some research study found out. You can research "eating disorders autism" online or "depression autism", etc. I am depressed as well..and later found out.. I didn't only have Autism, but I also had a mood disorder (Bipolar Disorder) and also ADHD.

Best wishes,

Michelle

Yes. I'm on a group for homeschoolers of kids with special needs, and there's quite a few on there who's kids have been diagnosed with Autism AND bipolar together. My son is only three, and he goes through bouts of depression, he is high-function autistic.