'Burnout' probably means depression for many autistic adults

Camouflage, Burnout-Exhaustion, and Depression in Autistic Adults https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/abs/10.1089/aut.2024.0147

"Autistic adults are at disproportionate risk for developing depression compared with the general population." Indeed. Depression and related conditions - whether presenting typically or atypically e.g. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25046741/ - is very much over-represented alongside a diagnosis of autism. The reasons are likely complex - biopsychosocial complex - but aren't typically a barrier to appropriate (early) screening, identification and importantly, treatment.

The growth in the word 'burnout' or 'autistic burnout' is interesting but shouldn't distract from the fact that depression is over-represented and for most, burnout is just depression. Indeed in this study looking at impression management and burnout in the context of autism, the authors observed: "Over 70% of participants scored within the clinical range of depression." Armed with that data, this means that preferential screening for depression should probably be more widespread when a diagnosis of autism is given and indeed, should be regular. And when detected, treat it. Yes, employ the talking therapies by all means but keep in mind the superior value of pharmacotherapy and the multitude of options available according to what 'type' of depression is presented.