Autism and Mental Health: Unpacking the Overlap

Episode 6: Autism and Mental Health – Unpacking the Overlap

Trigger Warning: This episode includes discussion of depression, anxiety, and self-harm. Please listen with care.

What if your biggest struggles weren’t from being autistic—but from being misunderstood?

In this deeply personal and eye-opening episode, we peel back the layers of how autism and mental health intertwine. From the silent weight of anxiety and burnout to the emotional aftermath of masking and late diagnosis, we explore why so many autistic people are fighting battles nobody sees.

We’re not just talking symptoms—we’re talking systems. Misdiagnosis. Stigma. The therapy that hurts. And what healing could look like if it truly honored neurodivergent minds.

Whether you’ve been there, love someone who has, or are finally seeing your own story in a new light—this episode is the conversation we all need to hear.

 

Show Notes

https://researchautism.org/oaracle-newsletter/the-intersection-of-autism-and-mental-health/#:~:text=According%20to%20a%202021%20study%20by%20the,*%20**Obsessive%2Dcompulsive%20disorder%20(OCD)**%2022%%20lifetime%20prevalence

https://researchautism.org/oaracle-newsletter/at-the-intersection-of-mental-health-and-autism/

https://undivided.io/resources/autism-and-co-occurring-diagnoses-1320

https://neurobridge.co.uk/whats-the-difference-between-mental-health-issues-and-neurodivergence/

https://www.adult-autism.health.harvard.edu/resources/anxiety-and-depression/

https://www.cnn.com/2025/04/12/us/autistic-teen-idaho-police-shooting-dies

https://aane.org/autism-info-faqs/library/anticipation-anxiety/

 

References

Brenda Dater, M. M. (2023, May 4). Autism and Depression. Retrieved from AANE.org: https://aane.org/autism-info-faqs/library/autism-and-depression/

Cathy Pratt, P. B.-D. (2021, July 13). At the Intersection of Mental Health and Autism. Retrieved from researchautism.org: https://researchautism.org/oaracle-newsletter/at-the-intersection-of-mental-health-and-autism/

Dania Jekel, M. (2020, August 3). Anticipation Anxiety. Retrieved from AANE.org: https://aane.org/autism-info-faqs/library/anticipation-anxiety/

Lorentz, B. (2021, August 4). The Intersection of Autism and Mental Health. Retrieved from researchautism.org: https://researchautism.org/oaracle-newsletter/the-intersection-of-autism-and-mental-health/#:~:text=According%20to%20a%202021%20study%20by%20the,*%20**Obsessive%2Dcompulsive%20disorder%20(OCD)**%2022%%20lifetime%20prevalence

 

 

 

Credits

 

Executive Producer: Keith Holloway

Co-Executive Producer: Bridget Holloway

Hosts: Keith and Bridget Holloway

Produced & Edited by: Keith Holloway

Theme Music: "Paradise Found" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Logo Design: Nathan McConnell (Growing up Autie) https://www.facebook.com/growingupautie

A Dispatch Central Production © 2025

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