Social Anxiety and Autism Spectrum Disorder | Dr. Tynessa Franks

In this video, I discuss social anxiety and Autism Spectrum Disorder.
I'll tell you:
*What exactly Social Anxiety Disorder and Autism Spectrum Disorder are
*How the two problems overlap with one another
*How to find out if you personally struggle with either one of these problems
*And, if you do, how to get help.
Also, join me on Instagram where I share tips, motivation, and knowledge that builds on the topics I discuss in my weekly videos. Click below and say hello!
/ drtynessafranks
#socialanxiety #autism #socialanxietyandautism
Disclaimer: All of the videos and information on this channel are designed and intended to be for informational purposes only and are not intended to be or to replace psychotherapy. No guarantees are made regarding specific results or outcomes related to the information shared.

[@raven4090]

I'm autistic. I have severe social anxiety. They do run along side of each other. Autism is only a problem because society insists we can't be ourselves, so we adjust because our lives depend on it. That's what causes social anxiety and RSD, which I also have, and depression. It's hard work, and no matter how hard I tried, it was never accepted as good enough. I'm 60, and looking back, I wasn't born with anxiety. It developed. From unfair judgment, bullying, wrong assumptions, getting getting fired from jobs for no reason, etc. Occupational therapy would be awesome, but it's not available. Nothing is available for adults. Only ABA is available for children, but there are many autistic adults with PTSD from that. Autism is a different way of seeing the world. It's not wrong. It doesn't need to be a problem. At 59, I quit trying to be accepted after a major burn out. My animals love me for who I am. I thank God for them.

[@chloehammond2836]

You arent alone! ❤ I’m sorry to hear you suffer from these things but you are self aware and sound like a very compassionate person. There are more neurodivergent people than we know and when we can be ourselves and care less about being accepted the more we will naturally meet people who we can genuinely connect with and learn from. Don’t give up! And thanks for sharing your story for others to appreciate 🫶🫶

[@raven4090]

@@chloehammond2836 Thank you for your kind words and encouragement. Lately I've been thinking about the fact I've found so many other ND people online, and considering moving out of the town I live in to start a new life. I appreciate you telling me not to give up, because it confirmed my decision to move away from here. Maybe I'll find some of those people. Even finding one would be awesome! I don't know where to go yet. I'm going to just trust God will guide me to where I need to be. Your reply cheered me up. God bless you. Keep being your wonderful self! ❤️🤗

[@adamtobin8132]

Same. I’m 41. I started healing journey to be my authentic self at age 40. I’m not looking back.

[@DrTynessaFranks]

@@chloehammond2836 I like this feedback. Thanks for sharing @chloehammond2836.

[@michellm371]

Thank you for the video. My daughter was diagnosed with Aspergers or ASD, social anxiety, adhd and depression when she was 11. She is now 13.

[@DrTynessaFranks]

Ahh, yes, ASD, social anxiety, and depression do often co-occur. I hope your daughter has been able to get what she needs in the way of support/help. I really appreciate you watching the video and sharing this.

[@adamtobin8132]

I landed in therapy thinking I was born wired for severe social anxiety.

[@JB-pk3bz]

Dr. Franks, thank you for your insights! Much appreciated! (New sub.)

[@DrTynessaFranks]

You are so welcome - I appreciate your feedback so much.

[@adamtobin8132]

Hi. I’m so glad I found you. This content is amazing and resonates deeply with me. Thank You. 🙏

[@DrTynessaFranks]

Thank you @adamtobin8132. I really appreciate you watching and sharing this feedback with me. It means a lot.

[@chipbuttytime3396]

This very very enlightening thank you (and you saying problem, not a problem for me and I have both SA and ASD)

[@georginashanti4605]

I have never heard the words 'problem' and 'disorder' used so frequently. I am not a problem and I am not a disorder. I'm a late diagnosed Autistic woman. Please get in touch with ND presenters so that you are using terminology that is affirming. It's disheartening that the professionals are not keeping up with the ND affirming movement and terminology.

[@andressantiagobonillapaez6521]

Disorders? Problem? Autism is not a disorder nor a problem. How could you expect to help when your starting point is that kind of vision about our way of functioning?

[@hannahbanana6785]

Are you aware that there are Autistic people that are severely disabled because of their autism? There are not only “high functioning” autistic people and to some people it is indeed a disorder. After all it is called Autism Spectrum DISORDER. I have Autism and I’ve met and interacted with multiple autistic people who are all affected differently by it. I’m just telling it like it is.

[@DrTynessaFranks]

@@hannahbanana6785 I really appreciate this comment, @hannahbanana6785. It helps to highlight the complexity of this topic and the diversity within the neurodivergent community. Multiple things are true at the same time. There are people who are high functioning who embrace their autism as an important and in some cases welcome part of their personality and overall being. AND, as you note, there are also those who have a more severe experience with autism that impacts their daily life. Autism Spectrum Disorder is indeed a disorder in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, and its presence there means that it receives funding for research (more than it would otherwise) and clinical treatments, programs, etc exist to help those in need. AND, undoubtedly, stigma, stereotypes, etc impact many people within the neurodivergent community. ... It's complex - multiple things are true at the same time, and I understand that. Thanks again for adding your thoughts to the conversation.

[@paulatoledo9893]

Problems? Seriously? 2022, Dr. Franks. Update yourself.

[@DrTynessaFranks]

I don't understand your comment, but if you'd like to elaborate, I'm open to discussion.

[@somersetfrancis448]

I suspect Ms Toledo is taking issue with the characterisation of ASD as a set of problems i.e. deficits in ability. Increasingly, especially by autistic people, autism is being reframed as cognitive differences, sometimes disabling, but not inherently wrong. The concepts of neurodiversity and the double empathy problem are two major parts of this perspective. I appreciate the broad overview you give in this video. It's impossible to do it full justice in so short a time.

[@DrTynessaFranks]

@@somersetfrancis448 This is a good discussion. If I were recording the video again (and when I record future videos on this and related topics), I think it would be good to acknowledge the many layers. As you mention, there's the neurodiversity movement, the preference for some with autism to seek/receive medical intervention due to the distress they experience in various contexts, and the fact that, in the clinical world, autism remains in the DSM. I definitely want to be respectful to the people who are part of the autism community, so this is an important topic. I really appreciate you watching the video and offering this feedback.

[@somersetfrancis448]

@@DrTynessaFranks It's a fascinating subject. I look forward to your future videos!

[@gypsyrose2484]

I have Asperger’s (now ASD). I counted “problem” 14 times in 11 minutes then stopped counting. This caused me horrific anxiety. My point being that if more neurotypicals stopped judging our behaviour as a “problem” maybe we’d have less anxiety. This is why I refuse to be seen by NT psychologists anymore. They were taught wrong and just don’t get it. DSM needs to be updated. Being left-handed used to be a serious problem too. They used to tie our hand behind our backs and got extra training to make us normal. The stigma and judgment were harsh. Then the NTs realized just how wrong they were; we are just different and that’s perfectly OK.