Psychiatric and psychosocial problems in adults with normal-intelligence autism spectrum disorders

Hofvander, Björn; Delorme, Richard; Chaste, Pauline; Nydén, Agneta; Wentz, Elisabet; Ståhlberg, Ola; Herbrecht, Evelyn; Stopin, Astrid; Anckarsäter, Henrik; Gillberg, Christopher; Råstam, Maria; Leboyer, Marion

doi:10.1186/1471-244x-9-35

Cited by 678 publications

(590 citation statements)

References 29 publications

(34 reference statements)

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“…They are in line with some recent European studies [32,33]. But it must be said that no mention is made of any comorbidity with addiction in US studies to date [34].…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 58%

Addiction and Autism: A Remarkable Comorbidity?

Cremers¹

2014

J Alcohol Drug Depend

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ObjectiveAutism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) are well known for high prevalence's of comorbid conditions especially anxiety, obsessions, depression and challenging behaviours. In this article we will consider the evidence for an eventual comorbidity between ASD and Addiction (Substance Use Disorders (SUD) and explore the possible underlying explanations. MethodsA literature study on similarities between Addiction and ASD (at a phenotypical and neurobiological level) as well as a case note review on a year cohort of 200 consecutive admissions in an adult addiction psychiatry unit was studied here. ResultsIn our pilot-survey 8 (men) on 118 patients were diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. This is substantially higher than in the general population (1%) but in line with other European studies.Autism spectrum disorders and addiction can both be perceived as developmental disorders in which a genetic predisposition and vulnerability interact with environmental factors. They can be induced by early stress thus affecting the proper functioning of the cortico-striatal dopaminergic regulation systems (and also the HPA axis). There is growing evidence that ASD and SUD share developmental dysregulations of the limbic and sensorimotor cortico-striatal regulations loops. ConclusionsThere are clear indications that a possible comorbidity of substance abuse disorder should be considered in cases of individuals with autism spectrum disorders. This finding is important for clinicians to take into account in assessing patients with addiction problems or ASD.time frame, and take responsibility for oneself and others. He managed to get the shopping done in time but was tidying the purchased items when he was expected to join a group therapy session. When one of the nurses confronted him, he went out of his mind, became very aggressive and bashed doors and broke windows whilst threatening the nurse verbally. Due to this unacceptable behaviour he was dismissed from the program immediately. A week later he came back to our outpatient clinic and was asked what had happened and had caused his extreme reaction. He said that he became very angry because the nurse had interrupted him. For him it was inconceivable that he should have joined the group leaving his task unfinished. In the clinical interview it became clear that this type of rigid behaviour, and his incapacity

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“…They are in line with some recent European studies [32,33]. But it must be said that no mention is made of any comorbidity with addiction in US studies to date [34].…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 58%

Addiction and Autism: A Remarkable Comorbidity?

Cremers¹

2014

J Alcohol Drug Depend

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“…Impact routinely continues across the lifespan influencing independence, academic success, and participation in school, work, and community life [11]. In addition, adolescents and adults with ASD are at high risk of psychiatric comorbidity with an associated need for ongoing support [12,13].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Pilot Study of the Effects of an Australian Centre-Based Early Intervention Program for Children with Autism

Paynter¹,

Scott²,

Beamish³

et al. 2012

TOPEDJ

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Abstract:The current study sought to evaluate the effectiveness of an Australian centre-based early intervention program for children with autism. Outcomes for 10 children with autistic disorder aged between 32 and 65 months of age participating in the AEIOU early intervention program were investigated. Measures of educational, cognitive, and adaptive skills as well as autism symptoms were administered. Significant gains in educational skills in the areas of cognitive verbal/preverbal, fine motor and visual-motor imitation, motor domain score, and social reciprocity, were obtained as were decreases in autism symptoms. Limited evidence of gains was obtained for measures of cognitive or adaptive behaviour skills. This study provides promising preliminary evidence in support of the AEIOU program in terms of symptom reduction and increases in educational skills. Limitations and future research directions are discussed.

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“…In one study comparing children and adolescents ages 12-18 years with ASD versus psychiatric controls, Santosh and Mijovic (2006) found lower rates of drug and alcohol use and misuse in those with ASD (3% vs. 17%). Another study of 122 adults with ASD with normal intelligence reported that 16% of the participants, no greater than expected in the general population, met lifetime criteria for an SUD (Hofvander et al, 2009).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

ADHD Symptoms, Autistic Traits, and Substance Use and Misuse in Adult Australian Twins

Alwis

Agrawal

Reiersen

et al. 2014

J. Stud. Alcohol Drugs

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ABSTRACT. Objective: Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism spectrum disorder frequently co-occur. Several studies show increased risk of substance use disorders in ADHD, yet there is limited information related to how ADHD symptoms, autistic traits, and their combined effects are associated with nicotine, alcohol, and cannabis use and use disorders in the general population. Method: Cross-sectional interview and self-report questionnaire data from 3,080 young adult Australian twins (mean age 31.9 years) were used to assess ADHD symptoms, autistic traits, substance use, and substance use disorders. Substance use disorders-based on Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, criteria-were assessed in the full sample as well as in those who reported substance use. Logistic regression analyses were used for comparing the associations between ADHD symptoms, autistic traits, substance use, and substance misuse after conduct disorder, sex, age, and zygosity were controlled for. Results: Greater ADHD symptoms and autistic traits scores were associated with elevated levels of regular smoking; cannabis use; and nicotine, alcohol, and cannabis use disorders, even after conduct disorder was adjusted for. In contrast, for alcohol use, those with high autistic traits scores were less likely to report drinking to intoxication. However, upon initiation, and similar to the fi ndings for nicotine and cannabis, they were at elevated risk for developing alcohol dependence. Conclusions: Increased liability to ADHD and elevated autistic traits scores were associated with substance use and misuse, with the exception of alcohol use. Given the social underpinnings of drinking, persons with autistic traits may be less likely to engage in it; however, upon engagement in drinking, their vulnerability to alcohol dependence is elevated. (J. Stud. Alcohol Drugs, 75, 211-221, 2014)

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Psychiatric and psychosocial problems in adults with normal-intelligence autism spectrum disorders

Cited by 678 publications

References 29 publications

Addiction and Autism: A Remarkable Comorbidity?

Addiction and Autism: A Remarkable Comorbidity?

A Pilot Study of the Effects of an Australian Centre-Based Early Intervention Program for Children with Autism

ADHD Symptoms, Autistic Traits, and Substance Use and Misuse in Adult Australian Twins

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