Autism and anti depressants?

[Usernumber637373639273719]

I’ve suffered from anxiety for a long time unmedicated, recently I have been suffering with mild depression and low mood but still not medicated. I am struggling to function

I have been having CBT which hasn’t seemed to help much.

I am not diagnosed autistic however for many reasons I believe I’m on the spectrum, both my children are, it is genetic on parental side of my family.

anyway, MH nurse suggested medication a while ago but I’ve always been unsure but decided today to send an online consult with my doctor about my MH, as CBT isn’t doing much.

anyone have any experience of being autistic snd using anti depressants?

had anxiety since I was 8 btw. I can’t remember much different!

No advice im afraid but I’m literally struggling with the same ❤️

💗💗💗

Hi OP.
Im ND (adhd and waiting for asd assessment) and CBT does absolutely nothing for me except make me feel worse that I don't get it - plus it feels like homework! I haven't taken antidepressants for various stupid anxiety-related reasons but I do have propranolol for anxiety when needed.

My son is autistic and has been taking antidepressants for over a year now. He takes citalopram 30 mg daily and they have absolutely helped him with his anxiety and low mood. He also takes propranolol when he feels he's getting panicky. They really have made such a difference to him.

Hi OP, like the above poster I have an autistic child. She has been on sertraline for a couple of years now and it really helps her. I’ve also taken citalopram in the past and found it really helpful at a certain point despite having a lot of reservations about it. Best of luck

If you're autistic CBT tends to do more harm than good unless they're specially trained unfortunately. I've never got on with antidepressants but it could be I never tried the right one. Drugs have only been tested on NT brains so can have strange effects. It's worth a try but it could take longer to find the right one for you.

Thanks guys! Cbt is a strange one, I don’t like the mannerisms of the therapist either which doesn’t help.

I have sent off a klinik with my doctors, they have suggested medication a few times but I’ve always put it off but I now thinking of giving them a go! My anxiety and low mood is worse than ever! I guess it’s just trial and error!

I don’t know for sure if I’m autistic but I do believe I could be, my children have different fathers, (my ex and my partner) and are both autistic so they definitely get the genes from me. My half sisters and cousins on paternal side have autistic children! MH issues run on my maternal side too, although not diagnosed I believe my mother has bipolar!

They make a huge difference to my anxiety op. Things that would totally stress me out before dont now.

That’s good to hear! I’ve got a telephone app tomorrow to discuss with doctor. Not sure what they will say or do but fingers crossed for something. I was meant to be having counselling but been having CBT which I haven’t been enjoying!

Cbt does nothing for me and mindfulness just makes me 🙄. Exercise is the most helpful thing but of course that only works if you're motivated to do it 😂. I find it more helpful to think about how I would deal with the one in a gazillion chance situation, rather than try and convince myself it won't happen.

I'm autistic and citalopram makes a big positive difference to my mood and anxiety levels.

I've been diagnosed autistic 6 years. Since I was 33.

I've been on antidepressants since I was 26.

I still feel shocking. I just can't cope x

I'm on 3 x Sertraline a day. I've tried Fluoxetine and Citalopram.

Autism isn't always genetic

No of course not but there’s a high rate on my paternal side and I do have many autistic traits! I’m just too scared to request a referral for an assessment.

Thanks guys. Useful replies 💗
I don’t want to rush into anything but the doctors have suggested medication a few times and I’ve always said I’ll think about it!

My son and daughter, adults, both autistic and anxious, take anti depressants. They have taken them for more than five years now.It takes the edge off of the anxiety rather than gets rid of it for them. Son takes citalopram and daughter sertraline. They both take realtively low doses because they are sensitive to side effects. Maybe a higher dose would be more effective but neither are willing to risk any side effects as that would increase the anxiety as well.

I don't mean this harsh but people have lots of symptoms for things but if you don't have most or all it might not be that. Can you ask the doctor for an assessment? It could be anything.

I’m sorry but I find this a bit rude. You don’t know what struggles I have had since a child, many of us are part of the missed generation of getting diagnosed with autism, especially females. I’ve never said I definitely am autistic, but the lady who did my initial MH assessment for CBT told me to ask for a referral for an assessment, but the reasons I haven’t include: not finding the time as I’m so absorbed in my children’s needs and putting mine last and the fear of being not listened to by my GP, as I’ve not met one who listens yet! There is a high probability I am, I have not once on this post started listing all my autistic traits. I’m that sure, that I’m thinking of going private as I know even if get a doctor to refer the waiting lists are huge. I’ve done my research day in, day out. My children are both diagnosed. I see so much of myself as a child in them.

also, you don’t need every single symptom of autism to be diagnosed. It is a spectrum. My son was diagnosed aged 5, and he doesn’t always meet the autism stereotypes that people seem to have.

like I said I don’t know for definite I am autistic but I was interested to know other people’s experiences in similar situations and how it I was autistic what positive or negative effect antidepressants can have!

Ty! Side effects would be my concern too!

Likely autistic here. Mirtazapine is amazing.

Cbt was not helpful. Long term therapy was.

I'm autistic and I'm also on sertraline no problems been on it for 10 years and diagnosed autistic also

Sorry sent message to quick. My sister is also autistic and on anti depressants I think fluoxetine is the one she has as when they tried sertraline with her years ago it didn't work for her

I'm autistic and antidepressants and other neds have helped me with depression, anxiety and also helped to calm my obsessive thoughts.

@Usernumber637373639273719 I didn't mean to be rude. I meant it's best to get as assessment first.

This 🙌🏽