Childhood physical illnesses linked to increased risk of mental health disorders in autistic young adults
A large-scale study of nearly 2 million Swedish individuals found that autistic young adults who experienced physical illnesses during childhood face a higher risk of developing psychiatric disorders. The research highlights the interconnected nature of physical and mental health, particularly noting stronger associations in females.
Why it matters
Understanding these links is crucial for developing more holistic healthcare approaches for autistic individuals, moving beyond treating physical and mental health in isolation.
edited by Lisa Lock , reviewed by Robert Egan
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Add as preferred source Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain Mental health conditions are more common among autistic individuals than in the general population, but knowledge about how physical and mental health interact over time has been limited. In the new study, researchers analyzed data from nearly 2 million individuals born in Sweden between 1985 and 2004, including more than 58,000 people diagnosed with autism.
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