Policing, Autism and Eating Disorders

For quite a few years it’s been suggested to me that I might be Autistic. Sometimes this has just been by friends joking around but increasingly more often suggestions have been raised under more serious and medical circumstances. A prospective Autism diagnosis would certainly explain a lot as to why I am how I am and why I often mind myself ending up in certain situations. With a family history of Autism and my Eating Disorder Psychologist essentially telling me I need to get a formal diagnosis of it, I decided to explore more about this condition which lead to me having quite a few penny drop moments.

The emphasis on Autism (particularly amongst those prospectively like myself who are ‘high functioning’) is to utilise this condition as a strength rather than view it as a weakness. For example, some of the positive character traits of Autism are:

1. Deep Thinking & Unique Perspectives

Autistic people often think in ways that others don’t, leading to creative problem-solving and original ideas. You might notice details that others miss, making you a great observer and critical thinker.

2. Passionate Interests & Expertise

When an autistic person is interested in something, they often dive deep and become incredibly knowledgeable. This can lead to high levels of skill in certain areas, making for excellent researchers, artists, writers, engineers, etc.

3. Honesty & Authenticity

Autistic people are usually genuine and straightforward. They say what they mean and mean what they say. There’s no manipulation, fake small talk, or social games, just honesty and realness.

4. Loyalty & Strong Connections

Autistic people are often incredibly loyal in friendships and relationships. They form deep, meaningful bonds (especially with animals or people who understand them).

5. Strong Sense of Justice & Fairness

Many autistic people have a strong moral compass and care deeply about fairness, honesty, and justice. They often advocate for important causes and stand up for what’s right.

6. Hyperfocus & Determination

When an autistic person is engaged in something they love, they can focus intensely for hours and accomplish amazing things. This ability can lead to mastery of skills, deep research, and incredible creativity. Equally though, if they are not able to engage in something they love, they can and often will rapidly lose interest in what they are doing.

7. Emotional Depth & Empathy

Many autistic people feel emotions deeply, even if they struggle to express them in a neurotypical way. Some experience hyper-empathy, especially with animals or people they care about. There can be fluctuations between hyper-empathy and hypo-empathy dependent on context, energy levels and stress. The double empathy problem can often lead to communicational breakdowns between autistic and non-autistic people as they cannot understand their ability to so strongly and freely switch between the two. Often those who can switch between the two, experience difficulty navigating workplace politics and experience difficulty when facing workplace criticism. This can heavily contribute to Autistic burnout.

8. Enjoyment of Solitude

While loneliness can be difficult, many autistic people are perfectly happy being alone and don’t feel the need for constant socialising. They can entertain themselves with their interests and hobbies without relying on others for stimulation.

9. Resilience & Adaptability

Living in a world that isn’t designed for autistic people is tough, but many autistic individuals develop incredible resilience. They learn ways to self-accommodate, advocate for themselves, and create spaces that work for them.

Challenges of Autism in Policing:

· Communication Difficulties - Autistic individuals may experience challenges in social interactions, such as interpreting non-verbal cues or engaging in small talk. In policing, where effective communication is crucial, these difficulties can lead to misunderstandings with colleagues and the public.

· Sensory Sensitivities - Many autistic people have heightened sensitivities to sensory stimuli like loud noises, bright lights, or crowded environments. Police work often involves exposure to such stimuli, which can cause significant discomfort or stress for autistic officers.

· Rigid Thinking and Adaptability - Autistic individuals may prefer routine and predictability. The dynamic and unpredictable nature of police work can be challenging, potentially leading to increased anxiety or stress.

· Social Isolation - Difficulties in social communication can result in feelings of isolation within the team, as autistic officers might struggle to form bonds with colleagues or feel misunderstood.

· Unrecognised Strengths - Without a diagnosis, the unique strengths of autistic officers, such as attention to detail, pattern recognition, and dedication, may go unrecognised and underutilised.

Living with undiagnosed Autism can lead to Autistic burnout:

Autistic burnout is a state of extreme mental, emotional, and physical exhaustion that occurs when an autistic person is overwhelmed for a prolonged period. It is often accompanied by a loss of skills, increased sensitivity to sensory input, and a deep sense of fatigue that goes beyond typical tiredness. Unlike general burnout, which is usually associated with work stress, autistic burnout is more complex and deeply tied to the ongoing challenges of navigating a neurotypical world.

What Are the Symptoms?

· Chronic exhaustion (physical, emotional, and mental)

· Increased difficulty with communication and executive functioning

· Heightened sensory sensitivities

· A loss of previously acquired skills (e.g., speech, social interaction, self-care)

· Emotional distress, anxiety, and sometimes depression

· A need to withdraw from social interactions to recover

Autistic burnout doesn’t happen randomly—it usually results from prolonged stress and unmet needs. Some of the most common risk factors include:

1. Masking and Camouflaging

Many autistic individuals learn to "mask" their autistic traits to fit into neurotypical environments. This means suppressing stimming, forcing eye contact, mimicking social behaviours, and hiding sensory discomfort. Over time, this constant effort to appear "normal" can lead to significant exhaustion and burnout.

2. High Expectations and Pressure

Many autistic individuals feel pressure to keep up with neurotypical peers at school, work, or in social settings. The effort to meet these expectations while also managing sensory sensitivities, executive functioning challenges, and social differences can be draining.

3. Lack of Accommodations and Support

When workplaces, schools, or social environments don’t provide reasonable accommodations (like quiet spaces, flexible schedules, or clear communication), autistic individuals have to work even harder to function, leading to exhaustion.


4. Major Life Transitions

Big changes—such as starting a new job, moving, going to college, or experiencing a relationship change—can increase stress and overwhelm, making burnout more likely.

5. Social Exhaustion

Autistic people often experience socialising differently from neurotypical individuals. Constantly engaging in social situations, especially without breaks, can lead to deep fatigue.

Autistic burnout can affect anyone on the wide spectrum, but certain groups may be at higher risk which includes those who are late diagnosed or undiagnosed, those in the LGBT+ community, those who live and/or work in demanding environments and those who have experienced life transitions such as moving jobs, roles or relationship changes.

Autism and Eating Disorders:

Eating Disorders are prevalent amongst those with Autism, with some studies suggesting around 30% of Autistic people also have a diagnosed or undiagnosed eating disorder compared to 1-2% of the general population. A 2020 study found that Autistic traits are more common in people with Anorexia even amongst those without a formal diagnosis. This is likely due to this particular eating disorder’s ability to thrive under rigid and rule-based behaviour.