Depression and Suicide in Adolescents with ASD: A Narrative Review
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.55892/jrg.v8i19.2697Keywords:
autism, adolescence, depression, suicide, mental healthAbstract
This study aimed to analyze the prevalence of depressive symptoms and suicidal behaviors in adolescents with ASD, based on a narrative review of the literature published between 2015 and 2025. Nine national and international articles were included that investigated the relationship between ASD, depression, and suicide in different clinical and population contexts. The results showed that adolescents with ASD present a higher prevalence of depression compared to their neurotypical peers, especially in cases of preserved intellectual functioning and greater awareness of their own difficulties. Factors such as social isolation, bullying, difficulties in emotional regulation, comorbidities, and fragility in family support emerged as determinants of psychological distress. An increased risk of suicidal ideation and behavior was also observed, often underdiagnosed due to the atypical manifestation of symptoms and the lack of specific assessment instruments. National studies, although still reduced, point to the same reality, indicating that emotional distress is a frequent demand in child and adolescent mental health services. Despite methodological limitations, such as heterogeneous samples and absence of longitudinal studies, the findings reinforce the need for clinical practices sensitive to the specificities of ASD, adequate training of teams, and strengthening of public policies aimed at promoting the mental health of this population.
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