Anxiety or ASD is a label ?

I’m not entirely sure how the legalities work in every case, but I believe that a comorbidity is simply a 'diagnosis on its own' that happens to exist alongside another one. It doesn't mean it’s 'lesser' or just a part of the ASD. It’s a distinct condition in its own right.

In my experience, things like anxiety or CPTSD that stem from living with neurodivergence can become their own separate issues. While they are likely linked to growing up undiagnosed, they eventually require a specific, targeted approach. Relearning how to live with a diagnosis makes them easier to manage, but it doesn't just make them disappear.

I personally prefer saying I’m 'autistic with CPTSD' rather than 'a person with autism and CPTSD.' It’s incredibly frustrating when people focus only on the depression or anxiety. It feels like they’re just scratching the surface without looking at the root. My thinking is that if the struggles stemming from autism are caught early, we might be able to prevent them from spiraling into a full-blown secondary disorder. If not, they become a separate challenge to manage. I find I can manage my life in terms of my autistic and ADHD traits, but the trauma lingers. It’s something I’m sure I’ll have to address eventually.

If addressing your autism through accommodations or specialised coaching/counselling makes your anxiety manageable, then the GAD label might not fit anymore. However, keeping it on your record might actually give you easier access to certain treatments or support if you ever need it.

In an ideal world, treating anxiety related to autism should look different than treating GAD. Treating the anxiety as the main issue without addressing the underlying autism can be damaging and, honestly, a bit futile. I definitely see why you’d want to clarify your records. I’d probably try doing it myself, especially if healthcare professionals kept seeing me through the lenses of anxiety or trauma without ever looking at why they developed in the first place. My own official records show a 'possible mood disorder' and suicidal ideation, and I’m sure that’s the perspective people see me through. My GP doesn't even know I’m now diagnosed with autism and ADHD. I try not to think about it for now, but it’s a heavy thing to carry.

Edit to answer the question about the labels: I think the reason they call ASD 'just a label' while GAD is 'accepted' is that many doctors see anxiety as something they can 'fix' with a prescription, whereas they see autism as just a description of who you are. It’s frustrating because, for us, the 'label' of ASD is actually the key to understanding why the anxiety is there in the first place.

I’m not entirely sure how the legalities work in every case, but I believe that a comorbidity is simply a 'diagnosis on its own' that happens to exist alongside another one. It doesn't mean it’s 'lesser' or just a part of the ASD. It’s a distinct condition in its own right.

In my experience, things like anxiety or CPTSD that stem from living with neurodivergence can become their own separate issues. While they are likely linked to growing up undiagnosed, they eventually require a specific, targeted approach. Relearning how to live with a diagnosis makes them easier to manage, but it doesn't just make them disappear.

I personally prefer saying I’m 'autistic with CPTSD' rather than 'a person with autism and CPTSD.' It’s incredibly frustrating when people focus only on the depression or anxiety. It feels like they’re just scratching the surface without looking at the root. My thinking is that if the struggles stemming from autism are caught early, we might be able to prevent them from spiraling into a full-blown secondary disorder. If not, they become a separate challenge to manage. I find I can manage my life in terms of my autistic and ADHD traits, but the trauma lingers. It’s something I’m sure I’ll have to address eventually.

If addressing your autism through accommodations or specialised coaching/counselling makes your anxiety manageable, then the GAD label might not fit anymore. However, keeping it on your record might actually give you easier access to certain treatments or support if you ever need it.

In an ideal world, treating anxiety related to autism should look different than treating GAD. Treating the anxiety as the main issue without addressing the underlying autism can be damaging and, honestly, a bit futile. I definitely see why you’d want to clarify your records. I’d probably try doing it myself, especially if healthcare professionals kept seeing me through the lenses of anxiety or trauma without ever looking at why they developed in the first place. My own official records show a 'possible mood disorder' and suicidal ideation, and I’m sure that’s the perspective people see me through. My GP doesn't even know I’m now diagnosed with autism and ADHD. I try not to think about it for now, but it’s a heavy thing to carry.

Edit to answer the question about the labels: I think the reason they call ASD 'just a label' while GAD is 'accepted' is that many doctors see anxiety as something they can 'fix' with a prescription, whereas they see autism as just a description of who you are. It’s frustrating because, for us, the 'label' of ASD is actually the key to understanding why the anxiety is there in the first place.

“I personally prefer saying I’m 'autistic with CPTSD' rather than 'a person with autism and CPTSD.' It’s incredibly frustrating when people focus only on the depression or anxiety. It feels like they’re just scratching the surface without looking at the root.” This quote was everything I needed to understand. Thank you!