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. 2020 Nov;24(8):2046-2056.
doi: 10.1177/1362361320936024. Epub 2020 Jul 14.

Alexithymic and autistic traits: Relevance for comorbid depression and social phobia in adults with and without autism spectrum disorder

Laura Albantakis  1   2 , Marie-Luise Brandi  1 , Imme Christina Zillekens  1   2 , Lara Henco  1   3 , Leonie Weindel  1 , Hanna Thaler  1 , Lena Schliephake  4 , Bert Timmermans  5 , Leonhard Schilbach  1   2   6   7
Affiliations

Alexithymic and autistic traits: Relevance for comorbid depression and social phobia in adults with and without autism spectrum disorder

Laura Albantakis et al. Autism. 2020 Nov.

Abstract

Adults with autism often develop mental health problems such as depression and social phobia. The reasons for this are still unclear. Many studies found that alexithymia plays an important role in mental health problems like depression. People with alexithymia have difficulties identifying and describing their emotions. Almost every second person with autism has alexithymia. Therefore, we explored in this study whether alexithymia is linked to worse mental health in autistic people. We looked at two common diagnoses, depression and social phobia. We found that alexithymia increased symptoms of depression, while autistic traits increased symptoms of social phobia. Our results suggest that alexithymia and autistic traits can increase the risk of mental health problems. An early assessment could help prevent mental health problems and improve quality of life.

Keywords: adults; alexithymia; autism spectrum disorder; depression; psychiatric comorbidity; social phobia.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Model depicting the positive associations of alexithymic and autistic traits on depression and social phobia through difficulties in emotion regulation.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Diagnostic procedure for study participants. ADOS: Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule; cMRI: cranial magnetic resonance imaging; ASD: autism spectrum disorder.
Figure 3.
Figure 3.
Model depicting the positive associations of alexithymic and autistic traits on depression. TAS-20: Toronto Alexithymia Scale-20; BDI-II: Beck Depression Inventory-II; AQ: Autism-Spectrum Quotient.
Figure 4.
Figure 4.
Model depicting the positive associations of alexithymic and autistic traits on social phobia. TAS-20: Toronto Alexithymia Scale-20; AQ: Autism-Spectrum Quotient.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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