A conceptual model of risk and protective factors for autistic burnout

Mantzalas, Jane; Richdale, Amanda L.; Dissanayake, Cheryl

doi:10.1002/aur.2722

Cited by 41 publications

(41 citation statements)

References 102 publications

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“…Autistic burnout is conceptually similar to non-autistic burnout in that it results from chronically operating beyond personal capacity. However, autistic burnout is distinct with respect to its causes, manifestations and functional implications (62).…”

Section: Psychopathology and Suicidality In Asc: The Role Of Social C...mentioning

confidence: 99%

A molecular framework for autistic experiences: Mitochondrial allostatic load as a mediator between autism and psychopathology

Mahony

O’Ryan

2022

Front. Psychiatry

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Molecular autism research is evolving toward a biopsychosocial framework that is more informed by autistic experiences. In this context, research aims are moving away from correcting external autistic behaviors and toward alleviating internal distress. Autism Spectrum Conditions (ASCs) are associated with high rates of depression, suicidality and other comorbid psychopathologies, but this relationship is poorly understood. Here, we integrate emerging characterizations of internal autistic experiences within a molecular framework to yield insight into the prevalence of psychopathology in ASC. We demonstrate that descriptions of social camouflaging and autistic burnout resonate closely with the accepted definitions for early life stress (ELS) and chronic adolescent stress (CAS). We propose that social camouflaging could be considered a distinct form of CAS that contributes to allostatic overload, culminating in a pathophysiological state that is experienced as autistic burnout. Autistic burnout is thought to contribute to psychopathology via psychological and physiological mechanisms, but these remain largely unexplored by molecular researchers. Building on converging fields in molecular neuroscience, we discuss the substantial evidence implicating mitochondrial dysfunction in ASC to propose a novel role for mitochondrial allostatic load in the relationship between autism and psychopathology. An interplay between mitochondrial, neuroimmune and neuroendocrine signaling is increasingly implicated in stress-related psychopathologies, and these molecular players are also associated with neurodevelopmental, neurophysiological and neurochemical aspects of ASC. Together, this suggests an increased exposure and underlying molecular susceptibility to ELS that increases the risk of psychopathology in ASC. This article describes an integrative framework shaped by autistic experiences that highlights novel avenues for molecular research into mechanisms that directly affect the quality of life and wellbeing of autistic individuals. Moreover, this framework emphasizes the need for increased access to diagnoses, accommodations, and resources to improve mental health outcomes in autism.

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Section: Psychopathology and Suicidality In Asc: The Role Of Social C...mentioning

confidence: 99%

A molecular framework for autistic experiences: Mitochondrial allostatic load as a mediator between autism and psychopathology

Mahony

O’Ryan

2022

Front. Psychiatry

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Section: Psychopathology and Suicidality In Asc: The Role Of Social C...mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Notably, the symptoms of habitual burnout include insomnia, anxiety, behavioral dysregulation, depression, selfdoubt, emptiness and isolation (62). The characteristics and consequences of autistic burnout are thus highly specific to its context and present a significant risk for the development of psychopathology (55).…”

Section: Psychopathology and Suicidality In Asc: The Role Of Social C...mentioning

confidence: 99%

A Molecular Framework for Autistic Experiences: Mitochondrial Allostatic Load as A Mediator between Autism and Psychopathology

Mahony¹,

O’Ryan²

2022

Preprint

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Molecular autism research is evolving towards a biopsychosocial framework that is more informed by autistic experiences. In this context, research aims are moving away from correcting external autistic behaviors and towards alleviating internal distress. Autism Spectrum Conditions (ASCs) are associated with high rates of depression, suicidality and other comorbid psychopathologies, but this relationship is poorly understood. Here, we integrate emerging characterizations of internal autistic experiences within a molecular framework to yield insight into the prevalence of psychopathology in ASC. We demonstrate that descriptions of social camouflaging and autistic burnout resonate closely with the accepted definitions for early life stress (ELS) and chronic adolescent stress (CAS). We propose that social camouflaging could be considered a distinct form of CAS that contributes to allostatic overload, culminating in a pathophysiological state that is experienced as autistic burnout. Autistic burnout is thought to contribute to psychopathology via psychological and physiological mechanisms, but these remain largely unexplored by molecular researchers. Building on converging fields in molecular neuroscience, we discuss the substantial evidence implicating mitochondrial dysfunction in ASC to propose a novel role for mitochondrial allostatic load in the relationship between autism and psychopathology. An interplay between mitochondrial, neuroimmune and neuroendocrine signaling is increasingly implicated in stress-related psychopathologies, and these molecular players are also associated with neurodevelopmental, neurophysiological and neurochemical aspects of ASC etiology. Together, this suggests an increased exposure and underlying molecular susceptibility to ELS that increases the risk of psychopathology in ASC. This article describes an integrative framework shaped by autistic experiences that highlights novel avenues for molecular research into mechanisms that directly affect the quality of life and well-being of autistic individuals. Moreover, this framework emphasizes the need for increased access to diagnoses, accommodations, and resources to improve mental health outcomes in autism.

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“…Autistic burnout is conceptually similar to non-autistic burnout in that both result from chronically operating beyond personal capacity. However, current research emphasizes that autistic burnout is distinct from both clinical depression and non-autistic burnout (50,51) with respect to its causes, manifestations and functional implications (53). Autistic burnout results from "chronic life stress and a mismatch of expectations and abilities without adequate supports" (50).…”

Section: Psychopathology and Suicidality In Asc: The Role Of Social C...mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Notably, the symptoms of habitual burnout include insomnia, anxiety, behavioral dysregulation, depression, self-doubt, emptiness and isolation (60). The manifestations and functional implications of autistic burnout are thus highly specific to its context (53) and present a significant risk for the development of psychopathology. Both MDD and autistic burnout are associated with chronic fatigue, cognitive incapacitation, and suicidal ideation; however, the anhedonia and existential hopelessness that characterizes MDD is not always a defining feature of autistic burnout (51).…”

Section: Psychopathology and Suicidality In Asc: The Role Of Social C...mentioning

confidence: 99%

A Molecular Framework for Autistic Experiences: Mitochondrial Allostatic Load as A Mediator between Autism and Psychopathology

Mahony¹,

O’Ryan²

2022

Preprint

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Molecular research into Autism Spectrum Conditions (ASC) is undergoing an essential shift towards a biopsychosocial framework that is informed by autistic experiences. In this context, research aims are moving away from correcting external autistic behaviors and towards alleviating internal distress. ASC is associated with high rates of depression, suicidality and comorbid psychopathologies, but the underlying mechanisms that mediate this relationship are poorly understood. Here, we integrate emerging psychosocial characterizations of internal autistic experiences within a molecular framework to yield insight into the prevalence of psychopathology in ASC. We demonstrate that recent conceptualizations of social camouflaging and autistic burnout resonate closely with the accepted definitions for early life stress (ELS) and chronic adolescent stress (CAS). We propose that social camouflaging could be considered a distinct form of ELS that contributes to allostatic load, culminating in a pathophysiological state that is experienced as autistic burnout. Autistic burnout is thought to contribute to psychopathology via both psychosocial and neurophysiological mechanisms, but these remain largely unexplored by molecular researchers. Considering recent insights from converging bodies of work in molecular neuroscience, we discuss the substantial evidence implicating mitochondrial dysfunction in ASC to propose a novel role for mitochondrial allostatic load in the relationship between autism and psychopathology. An interplay between mitochondrial metabolism, neuroimmune and neuroendocrine signaling is increasingly implicated in stress-related psychopathologies and these molecular players are also associated with neurodevelopmental, neurophysiological and neurochemical aspects of ASC etiology. Together, this suggests an increased exposure to, and an underlying molecular susceptibility to, ELS that increases the risk of psychopathology in ASC. This article describes an integrative framework shaped by autistic experiences that highlights novel avenues for future research into molecular mechanisms that affect the quality of life and well-being of autistic individuals. Moreover, this framework emphasizes the need for increased access to diagnosis, accommodations, and resources to improve mental health outcomes in autism.

show abstract

A conceptual model of risk and protective factors for autistic burnout

Cited by 41 publications

References 102 publications

A molecular framework for autistic experiences: Mitochondrial allostatic load as a mediator between autism and psychopathology

A molecular framework for autistic experiences: Mitochondrial allostatic load as a mediator between autism and psychopathology

A Molecular Framework for Autistic Experiences: Mitochondrial Allostatic Load as A Mediator between Autism and Psychopathology

A Molecular Framework for Autistic Experiences: Mitochondrial Allostatic Load as A Mediator between Autism and Psychopathology

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