Treatment of anxiety in autistic adults: A systematic review

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

11-2022

Identifier

DOI: 10.1016/j.rasd.2022.102068

Abstract

Background

Autistic adults are more likely than adults without autism spectrum disorder (ASD) to experience clinically significant anxiety. In addition, anxiety in autistic adults is associated with poorer quality of life and myriad negative outcomes (e.g., unemployment, suicidality). Therefore, this systematic review aimed to summarize and evaluate the literature on the psychotherapeutic and psychopharmacological treatment of anxiety in autistic adults to inform clinical decision-making.

Method

Several online databases were searched for peer-reviewed journal articles with any combination of the following terms in the abstract: (1) autism, autistic, Asperger, Asperger’s, or “pervasive developmental disorder” (2) anxiety, anxious, phobia, mutism, panic, agoraphobia, or worry and (3) treatment, intervention, trial, therapy, psychotherapy, pharmacotherapy, medication, drug, antidepressant, sedative, or anti-anxiety. Data were extracted from articles meeting the inclusion criteria, and the strength of the evidence was assessed for treatments.

Results

Fifteen psychosocial treatment studies, one pharmacological treatment study, and one combined psychosocial and pharmacological treatment study met the inclusion criteria. The most investigated treatment for anxiety in adults with ASD was cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).

Conclusions

Few studies have investigated the treatment of anxiety in autistic adults. Additionally, findings have been inconsistent across studies regarding the potential effectiveness of particular psychosocial and pharmacological treatments. More research is certainly needed before clinically useful conclusions can be made.

Journal Title

Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders

Volume

99

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