Predictors of Depression and Anxiety Among Self-Medicating Autistic Adults

Papadopoulos, C., Adkin, T., Munday, K., & Gray-Hammond, D. (2025). Predictors of Depression and Anxiety Among Self-Medicating Autistic Adults. Neurodiversity, 3. https://doi.org/10.1177/27546330251344453

Publication date: 1 May 2025 Added to AutiHub: 22 Aug 2026 Type: Article Article language: English

This publication is integrated into AutiHub through:

Authors

Publication authors
4
Publication authors identified as autistic
2 / 4 (50.0%)

Abstract

Background: We aimed to investigate self-medication prevalence, mental health problems, and their relationship among autistic adults. We also sought to identify key factors associated with anxiety and depression in this population. Methods: An online cross-sectional questionnaire survey was conducted with self-identifying or formally diagnosed autistic adults who reported prior or current substance use. Descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and backward stepwise logistic regression were applied. Results: A total of 475 participants were recruited. The prevalence of anxiety, depression, and eating disorders among the participants was 87.37%, 75.16%, and 51.16%, respectively. Notably, 80.42% of participants also identified as Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). The most commonly reported substances for self-medication were alcohol (92.84%), cannabis (82.32%), and stimulants (81.26%), with 77.69% of participants reporting daily or weekly use. Logistic regression revealed that anxiety, dissociatives, and sedatives were significantly associated with depression, while depression, ADHD, and eating disorders were significantly associated with anxiety. Identifying as female was associated with lower odds of depression. Conclusion: Autistic adults who self-medicate show high rates of mental health problems and substance use. The complex relationship between self-medication, mental health, and co-occurring conditions underscores the urgent need for tailored support services. To reduce harmful self-medication, we must address stigma, promote acceptance, and improve access to appropriate mental health support for autistic adults.

Bibliography cited by this reference

Cited references are imported from external metadata sources when they are available. The list may be partial.

Cited bibliography overview

These indicators describe the bibliography cited by this publication. An author name is counted each time it appears in one cited reference, so the same person can be counted more than once. Names not yet linked to an author already present in AutiHub are treated as unknown, not as non-autistic. Last computed: 22 Aug 2026 23:48.

Cited references
65
With a DOI
56
Without a DOI, from raw bibliography text
9
3 / 65 (4.6%) cited references include at least one author identified as autistic.
References with data to complete
7 / 65 (10.8%)
References with detected author names
60 / 65 (92.3%)
Without detected author names
5
Without a structured title
7
Without a stable identifier
8
References with raw author names still to review
5
References with external metadata lookup issues
1
These indicators apply to cited references displayed on this page, after technical duplicates have been merged. A reference without a DOI can still support author statistics when a title and author names are available.
Author names detected in the cited bibliography
299
From DOI or external metadata
299
From validated raw bibliography text
0
Raw names already validated
0
Raw names still to review
6
80 / 299 (26.8%) names are linked to an author already present in AutiHub. 219 / 299 (73.2%) names are not yet linked.
Names linked to a person identified as autistic
8 / 299 (2.7%)
Calculated across all author names detected in the cited bibliography. Among names linked to an author already present in AutiHub: 8 / 80 (10.0%). Distinct people identified as autistic: 5 / 264 (1.9%).
1 cited bibliography entry could not be fully enriched from DOI metadata.
Crossref: not found (1)
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