Research shows that anxiety is the most common mental health difficulty for autistic people. It also shows that autistic adults often have higher levels of health anxiety than non‑autistic adults.
This means two things can be true at once:
- health anxiety can cause real fear and distress
- health concerns must still be taken seriously and checked properly
This article explains how health anxiety can show up for autistic people, how autistic people can support themselves, and how parents, carers, and family members can offer support while also taking health concerns seriously.
Understanding health anxiety in autistic people
Health anxiety is not imagined. The fear and physical sensations are real.
You might notice:
- Strong focus on body sensations such as pain, breathing, or heartbeat
- Repeated worries such as “something is wrong with me”
- Frequent checking of symptoms, your body, or health information
- Repeatedly searching online for explanations, symptoms, or reassurance, which can sometimes increase anxiety rather than reduce it
- Seeking reassurance from family, friends, or professionals
- Difficulty coping with uncertainty
- Anxiety increasing at particular times, such as at night
For autistic people, this can be more intense because of:
- Sensory differences, which can make body sensations feel stronger, more noticeable, or unusual
- A strong need for predictability and certainty, which can make uncertainty about health especially difficult
- Focused thinking, which can make it harder to shift attention away from health concerns or stop researching symptoms once a worry has started
Example: A mild headache might lead to searching online for possible causes. Finding lots of different explanations can increase uncertainty and anxiety, leading to more searching and more worry.
Why health anxiety can be more common for autistic people
Autistic people are more likely to experience anxiety, including health anxiety.
This may be linked to:
- Differences in how the body and senses are experienced
- A strong need for clear answers and difficulty with “not knowing”
- Thinking styles that can become very focused or repetitive
- Higher rates of real health conditions, which can increase attention to the body
It is important to keep a balanced view. Health anxiety does not mean concerns are not real.
Pain, illness and being believed
Autistic people are more likely to experience some health conditions. They may also:
- Feel pain more strongly or in a different way
- Find it hard to describe what they feel
- Communicate pain in ways others do not recognise
- Be misunderstood or not believed
Because of this, autistic people are sometimes told their symptoms are “just anxiety”. This can lead to missed or delayed care.
It is important to remember:
All health concerns should be taken seriously
- Anxiety and physical illness can exist at the same time
- New, unusual, or ongoing symptoms should be checked by a healthcare professional
- Doctors should be told the person is autistic, so they understand that pain and communication may be different
How autistic people can support themselves
If you are autistic and experience health anxiety, you can take steps to manage anxiety while still respecting your body.
Use clear rules for seeking help
Take your concerns seriously, but avoid repeated checking.
- Seek medical advice for new, severe, or lasting symptoms
- After being checked, follow the advice given
- Remind yourself when something has already been assessed
Use clear, steady self-talk
Keep your thoughts simple and factual:
- “This feels uncomfortable, but I am safe right now”
- “This is anxiety, not evidence of danger”
Limit repeated checking
Checking can make anxiety stronger over time.
- Set a limit (for example, one check or one question)
- Notice the urge and pause before acting
- Limit repeated online searches about symptoms or possible diagnoses
- Use trusted health websites if you need information, rather than searching across multiple sources
- Remember that online information often focuses on worst-case scenarios and may increase anxiety rather than provide reassurance
This keeps the focus on reducing reassurance-seeking behaviours while acknowledging that repeated symptom searching online is a common part of health anxiety.
Build routine and predictability
Routine helps reduce overall anxiety.
- Keep regular times for sleep, meals, and activities
- Create a calming routine for times when anxiety is worse
Use structured “worry time”
Give worries a clear place.
- Choose a set time each day to think or write about worries
- Outside this time, return to your activity
Regulate your body
Calming your body helps reduce anxiety signals.
- Use movement such as walking or stretching
- Try sensory supports if helpful, such as quiet spaces or weighted items
- Choose repetitive, calming activities
Track patterns
Write down:
- What you felt
- When it happened
- What helped
This can help you notice the difference between anxiety patterns and new health concerns.
How parents, carers, and family members can help
Supporting an autistic person with health anxiety means balancing two things: taking concerns seriously and not reinforcing the anxiety cycle.
Take concerns seriously and act when needed
- Start from belief
- Listen carefully
- Arrange medical checks for new or ongoing symptoms
- Do not assume it is “just anxiety”
Make professionals aware of autism
- Tell doctors the person is autistic
- Support the person to request reasonable adjustments, if needed. For more information about this click here
- Explain that pain and communication may be different
- Share clear examples if needed
Use calm, consistent responses
- Acknowledge feelings while keeping responses simple, e.g.
- I can see this feels scary
- We have checked this, and your body is working as it should right now
- Avoid changing explanations, as consistency supports safety
Keep communication clear
- Use literal, simple language
- Give one idea at a time
- Allow processing time
Build predictability
- Keep routines steady
- Give clear warnings about changes
- Prepare for situations that may increase anxiety
Avoid reassurance loops
- Too much reassurance can increase anxiety over time
- Agree on one clear response
- Repeat it consistently
- Gently move attention to other activities
Focus on calming, not arguing
- Reduce demands when anxiety is high
- Offer calming activities such as movement or quiet time
- Stay calm yourself
Notice patterns
- Look for triggers or times when anxiety increases
- Use this to guide small changes
Support independence
- Encourage use of coping strategies
- Prompt rather than take over
- Recognise small steps
Looking after yourself as a carer
Supporting someone with anxiety can feel tiring.
- Keep expectations realistic
- Take short breaks where possible
- Ask for support when needed
- A calm and supported adult helps create a calmer environment
When to seek medical advice
It is important to seek medical advice if you think you or your child may have a physical or mental health condition. If symptoms are new, getting worse, or not improving, or if you have tried the strategies in this guide and still feel concerned, contact your GP. If it is not urgent, you can also use NHS 111 for advice.
If there is a medical emergency, call 999 or go to your nearest A&E department.
It is always safer to have concerns checked, especially as autistic people may experience and express symptoms in different ways.
Key points
- Autistic people are more likely to experience anxiety, including health anxiety
- They are also more likely to have real health conditions
- Pain and discomfort may be felt and expressed differently
- Always take health concerns seriously and seek medical advice when needed
- Tell professionals that the person is autistic
- Use clear, consistent communication
- Limit repeated checking and reassurance
- Use routine and predictability to reduce anxiety
- Focus on calming the body rather than debating fears
- Support should balance belief, safety, and anxiety management
References
The following sources support the key messages in this article about higher rates of anxiety in autistic people, the need to take health concerns seriously, and the importance of clear, adapted healthcare support.
NICE autism guidelines
National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) (2021)
Autism spectrum disorder in adults: diagnosis and management (CG142)
Available at: www.nice.org.uk/Guidance/CG142
- Explains how autism should be assessed and supported
- Highlights the importance of recognising co-occurring conditions, including mental and physical health needs
- Emphasises adjustments in healthcare for autistic people
NICE anxiety guideline
National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) (2020)
Generalised anxiety disorder and panic disorder in adults: management (CG113)
Available at: www.nice.org.uk/guidance/CG113
- Provides guidance on understanding and treating anxiety
- Supports structured approaches such as psychological therapies (for example CBT)
- Recommends clear, consistent approaches to managing anxiety over time
Research on autism and mental health
Lai, M.C. et al. (2019)
Prevalence of co-occurring mental health diagnoses in the autism population: a systematic review and meta-analysis, The Lancet Psychiatry, 6(10), pp. 819–829
Available at: www.thelancet.com/journals/lanpsy/article/PIIS2215-0366(19)30289-5/fulltext
- Shows that mental health conditions are common in autistic people
- Finds that anxiety affects around 1 in 5 autistic people or more
- Confirms higher rates of anxiety compared to non-autistic people
NHS Talking Therapies guidance
NHS England (2024)
NHS Talking Therapies for anxiety and depression manual
Available at: www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/nhs-talking-therapies-manual-v7.1-updated.pdf
- Explains NHS support for anxiety and depression
- Describes how people can access evidence-based treatment
- Emphasises the importance of timely support and personalised care