Anxiety and Autism: Easing Overwhelm and Finding Calm
Living with anxiety can be challenging on its own — but for people who are autistic, anxiety is often part of everyday life. Research suggests that autistic people are more likely to experience anxiety than the general population, and the two conditions can interact in ways that feel overwhelming.
Understanding the connection between anxiety and autism can help you, or someone you care about, find the right support and begin to build greater calm and confidence.
What is Anxiety?
Anxiety is more than feeling nervous. It’s a persistent sense of worry, fear, or unease that can affect thoughts, emotions, and even the body. You might notice racing thoughts, restlessness, muscle tension, or difficulty sleeping. While occasional anxiety is normal, when it becomes constant or overwhelming, it can interfere with daily life.
What is Autism?
Autism (or Autism Spectrum Disorder/Condition) is a neurodevelopmental difference that affects how a person experiences the world, communicates, and relates to others. Autism isn’t an illness to be “fixed” — it’s a different way of being, often with strengths such as creativity, focus, honesty, and attention to detail.
Because it is a spectrum, many traits associated with autism can be seen in the wider population too — things like enjoying routine, preferring clear communication, or feeling overwhelmed in noisy environments. For autistic people, however, these traits are often more pronounced and persistent, and they can have a much bigger impact on daily life.
It’s this spectrum that also explains why every autistic person is unique, with their own blend of challenges and strengths.
For more on autism, you may find these resources helpful:
National Autistic Society
Ambitious about Autism
How Anxiety and Autism Connect
Anxiety and autism often go hand in hand, but the reasons can vary:
Sensory overwhelm: Busy, noisy, or unpredictable environments can cause heightened stress.
Social pressure: Navigating conversations, relationships, or unspoken social rules can create constant worry about “getting it wrong.”
Change and uncertainty: Many autistic people find comfort in routine. Unexpected changes can trigger intense anxiety.
Masking: Some autistic people “mask” their traits to fit in. While this can help in social situations, it often leads to exhaustion, stress, and increased anxiety.
Sometimes, anxiety is so visible that autism may be missed or diagnosed later in life — which can itself create further anxiety as people process what this new understanding means for them.
Why This Combination Feels So Challenging
Exhaustion: Constantly managing sensory input and social demands can drain energy.
Self-esteem issues: Feeling misunderstood or criticised can lead to self-doubt.
Daily uncertainty: Everyday events may bring unpredictability that feels unmanageable.
Isolation: Anxiety may discourage people from socialising, leaving them feeling alone.
How Therapy Can Help
Therapy can make a big difference when it’s tailored to individual needs and delivered with sensitivity to autism. At Yateley Therapy Space, I take an integrative approach that may include:
Psychotherapy – to explore challenges, strengths, and coping strategies.
Hypnotherapy – to help calm anxiety and ease the nervous system.
Mindfulness – adapted to work with, not against, sensory differences.
An integrative approach – blending techniques to create a supportive, flexible space where you can explore what works best for you.
Finding Strength in Both
It’s important to recognise that autism and anxiety don’t define you. Many autistic people bring unique perspectives, creativity, problem-solving skills, and resilience to the world. Therapy can help highlight these strengths, while also offering tools to manage anxiety more effectively.
By shifting from self-criticism to self-understanding, you can discover new ways of working with your mind, rather than against it.
Moving Forward
If this feels familiar, you’re not alone. Many autistic people experience anxiety — sometimes lifelong, sometimes linked to specific events or stages of life. With the right support, it’s possible to move from overwhelm to balance, and to live with more confidence and ease.
You don’t have to do this on your own. Therapy can help you find clarity, calm, and strength in your journey.
Contact me at Yateley Therapy Space to explore how an integrative approach could support you.
✨ Next in the series: exploring anxiety and menopause, and the unique challenges this transition brings.
