Autism without an intellectual disability is associated with a higher risk of depression in young people, compared to others without autism.
Depression and other mental health problems are common in people with autism, and understanding this is very important. Because treatment may improve and help their quality of life.
223,842 people no more than 27 years old, of whom 4,073 were in the spectrum.
Depressive disorders after clinical diagnosis were identified in national and local patient registers.
The study authors were Dheeraj Rai, M.R.C.Psych., Ph.D., of the University of Bristol, UK, and other coauthors.