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No link found between Anorexia nervosa and Autism

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ASPartOfMe
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04 Mar 2021, 5:34 am

Anorexia nervosa and autism: A prospective Twin Cohort Study

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Given the possibility of a phenotypical and etiological link between anorexia nervosa (AN) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD), researchers here prospectively examined autistic traits before and after the first diagnosis of AN. Parents described autistic traits at ages 9 and 18 in a population‐based sample of 5,987 individuals (52.4% female) from the Child and Adolescent Twin Study in Sweden. The Swedish National Patient Register was explored for retrieving AN and ASD diagnoses. No evidence was identified for raised autistic traits in 9‐year‐old children later diagnosed with AN.

Individuals tend to display more autistic traits in the acute phase of AN, relative to those exhibited prior to the onset of AN and after recovery from AN. This confirms previous concerns regarding diagnosing ASD during acute AN, as aspects of AN can mimic ASD.


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magz
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04 Mar 2021, 5:52 am

I'm not sure if the methodology of this study was right.
Eating disorders are claimed to be prevalent in the "female-type", highly masking forms of ASD.
Those are likely to be missed in standard screenings for ASD traits in 9yos.


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SharonB
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04 Mar 2021, 1:29 pm

My cousin was who had AN was not diagnosed with ASD, although I suspect she was ASD now that I know more and have re-read her letters to me (we were two peas in a pod). My 9-year-old daughter who I strongly believe has ASD was given six separate diagnoses instead; yesterday she couldn't eat due to anxiety (not AN, but I am monitoring her increasing stress level and its impact). I propose that too many girls and women with ASD are not diagnosed when stress levels are low and it's mostly "manageable" (internal) but of course when the sh*t hits the fan (for too long) they show up with AN and all the ASD traits "appear all of a sudden". Ummm, for some, always there, people.



madbutnotmad
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04 Mar 2021, 1:38 pm

ASD causes complex neurological dysfunction that can not be cured by pharmaceutical intervention.

The problems that ASD causes to the individuals who suffer from the condition are complex and varied but also
inevitably causes the ASD sufferer to suffer from co-morbid mental health conditions that affect ones ability to cope with stress and self image.

Taking these facts into consideration, then i think that having ASD and co-morbid anxiety / depression would likely increase some individuals vulnerability to suffer from anorexia. Logically speaking, it does make sense.



CockneyRebel
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04 Mar 2021, 10:09 pm

I've always had a food addiction. I've never had anorexia and I'm a F to M.


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