Autism and depression are completely different things. Most of the time depression holds hands with autism because the individual doesn't feel he/she is coping very well with being that much more sensitive and anxious than people without autism.
Depression usually comes with anxiety, and Autistics and Aspies are commonly known to have high anxiety levels, which can lead to depression, but this isn't always the case. Some can be anxious but not have depression, yet get days where they feel a bit low and anxious about things, but then again lots and lots of people suffer from this.
Depression is a mental condition what anybody can develop - even people without many responsibilities. Even some outgoing people can find themselves in a state of depression and anxiety. So it doesn't always mean ''if you have high levels anxiety then you have Aspergers'' because that isn't the case. The point is that people with AS or Autism can experience depression or anxiety due to the lack of social skills or confidence. Then again, people without this can experience depression due to shyness and lack of confidence.
It all depends on the individual. Some Aspies don't even get depressed or anxious very much.
Someone like me, however, leads a very hard life because I'm not very bright, and most Aspies are said to be bright. I got low grades in maths and science, and I loved art and music but I ended up getting low grades in them aswell. I just did not do well at school, no matter how hard I studied and concentrated and tried. So I haven't got the right social skills, nor a very good list of qualifications on my resumé. So it's more difficult for me.
13 May 2010, 6:54 am
