Is Social Anxiety an Overlooked Autism Trait in Adults?

PostedNovember 6, 2025

UpdatedNovember 6, 2025

ByMy Patient Advice

Author: Beatrice Holloway, MSc | Reviewed by: Dr. Rebecca Fernandez, MBBS

Social anxiety and autism often go hand in hand, particularly in adults. While social anxiety is commonly recognised and diagnosed, adult symptoms of autism, such as difficulties with social communication and sensory overload, can be mistaken for social anxiety on their own. This overlap can lead to misdiagnosis, where the true underlying autism traits are overlooked, and only anxiety is treated, leaving the root causes unaddressed.

Adults with autism often face significant social challenges, including struggling to understand social cues or feeling overwhelmed in unfamiliar social situations. These difficulties may contribute to heightened anxiety, leading to the belief that the individual suffers from social anxiety alone. However, recognising the connection between social anxiety and autism is essential for a more comprehensive understanding and better support.

Common Symptoms of Social Anxiety and Autism in Adults

Here are some challenges that adults with autism may experience, often mistaken for social anxiety:

Avoidance of Social Situations:

Many adults with autism avoid social events because navigating social norms feels too overwhelming. Combining strategies to address both social skills and anxiety can help these individuals feel more comfortable in social settings.

Difficulty Starting or Maintaining Conversations:

The pressure to engage in conversation can cause anxiety, leading to communication breakdowns. Support to develop conversational skills can reduce these barriers and increase confidence.

Overthinking Social Interactions:

Adults with autism may replay social interactions in their minds, overanalysing every detail for fear of making a mistake. Support through thought reframing can help reduce this anxiety and build self-assurance.

For personalised advice and support, visit providers like Autism Detect for personal consultations.

For a deeper dive into the science, diagnosis, and full treatment landscape, read our complete guide to late diagnosis in adults.

Beatrice Holloway, MSc

Author

Beatrice Holloway is a clinical psychologist with a Master’s in Clinical Psychology and a BS in Applied Psychology. She specialises in CBT, psychological testing, and applied behaviour therapy, working with children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), developmental delays, and learning disabilities, as well as adults with bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, anxiety, OCD, and substance use disorders. Holloway creates personalised treatment plans to support emotional regulation, social skills, and academic progress in children, and delivers evidence-based therapy to improve mental health and well-being across all ages.

All qualifications and professional experience stated above are authentic and verified by our editorial team. However, pseudonym and image likeness are used to protect the author's privacy.

Dr. Rebecca Fernandez, MBBS

Reviewer

Dr. Rebecca Fernandez is a UK-trained physician with an MBBS and experience in general surgery, cardiology, internal medicine, gynecology, intensive care, and emergency medicine. She has managed critically ill patients, stabilised acute trauma cases, and provided comprehensive inpatient and outpatient care. In psychiatry, Dr. Fernandez has worked with psychotic, mood, anxiety, and substance use disorders, applying evidence-based approaches such as CBT, ACT, and mindfulness-based therapies. Her skills span patient assessment, treatment planning, and the integration of digital health solutions to support mental well-being.

All qualifications and professional experience stated above are authentic and verified by our editorial team. However, pseudonym and image likeness are used to protect the reviewer's privacy.