It is common for autistic adults to have been previously diagnosed with anxiety and/or depression. In many cases these are genuine co-occurring conditions, and anxiety in particular is very common amongst autistic people. However, they do not always tell the whole story.

If you feel that your anxiety and depression diagnoses do not fully explain what you are experiencing, and you recognise yourself in the traits of autism, it is worth seeking a specialist autism assessment. A clear diagnostic picture can change how you understand yourself and what support is most useful.