The Autism Spectrum and Depression

by Nick Dubin

For people with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), the stresses of coping with a world that seems alien to them can often lead to depression. Written specifically for adults with ASD, this ground-breaking book offers accessible and sensitive advice on how to manage depression and make positive steps towards recovery. Nick Dubin shares his own experiences of depression including how he has dealt with it, and everything from initial feelings of anger and frustration to medication, cognitive behavioral therapy and overcoming 'the dark night of the soul'. It explores the aspects of everyday life that can cause people with ASD to feel low, explains how this can escalate and looks at ways in which depression can be prevented. With a chapter on suicide and interviews with his parents, the book provides real, practical solutions to a problem that is often overlooked.

Genres: Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Mental Health, Psychology

224 pages, Paperback

First published March 15, 2011

Reviews

[Laura Cushing · Rating 4 out of 5]

As someone on the spectrum who has at times suffered clinical depression, this was an excellent read. It provided a lot of insight into how depression is experienced by folks on the spectrum and why we are more prone to depressive episodes.

It would have been a five-star-book, but in places it got a bit dry and draggy- I felt it could have benefited from some editing to make it more focused. Still, it provides a lot of information so it's well worth the read.

[Chris Browning · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well then… exhales enough breath to knock down a small house… I feel rotten not appreciating this more than I should because Dubin’s heart is in the right place, but honestly I think the lesson I learn from this is 1. I shouldn’t read books about autism as someone with autism and 2. I shouldn’t read books about depression either. Because it’s very well meaning, really it is, but there are so many maddening moments. Apparently the biggest solution is magically finding a therapist, because god knows autistic and depressed people who have problems keeping jobs can afford those. He also somewhat unquestioningly just accepts things people say as well as making statements that equally feel a bit too generalised and inappropriate to actually work through in practice. As an autistic person I several times found myself genuinely baffled by some of the choices - I think most people can quite comfortably state Glenn Gould was autistic; a terrible bit of tonal whiplash about perfectionism which goes from Andre Agassi to.. Hitler; a weird conversation with a CBT specialist that he essentially makes up - and that meant that good stuff mostly sailed past me. And to be honest the presence of CBT itself should have rang all sorts of alarm bells because I’ve yet to meet a single autistic person who has not found CBT wildly unproductive and basically an act of thrusting a square peg less than into a round hole but rather into the tiniest gap on record. Like I said, it’s tremendously well meaning but… oh boy not for me

[Basil · Rating 5 out of 5]

Extremely helpful

[John (JP) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This probably the best book on the topic I have read so far. It covers the root causes of depression in those with asperger’s. The posits the source of depression for those with Aspergers is from the constant pressure to fit in a social circle and not having the resources to do so. The lack of social competence is a constant source of frustration. This frustration manifests itself as depressive feelings. The book looks at possible solutions, it reviews the present psychological and chemical and societal treatment strategies. The book is a good balance between theoretical and practical approaches to Asperger’s induced depression.

[Kacper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ontological rejection -- so that's what it's called ;-)))

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has been of great help to me during my latest depressive episode, and helped me to understand just how my high functioning autism affected my depression and vice versa. It's a little padded near the end but even these sections are informative. The afterword is a bit ominous, as is the title of his next book; without knowing the exact details of what occurred after publication it might be best to separate the author from his work.