Psychosis, affective disorders and anxiety in autistic spectrum disorder: prevalence and nosological considerations.
BACKGROUND
This review aimed to find relevant published studies on the co-morbidity of autism and Asperger's syndrome with psychotic, anxiety and/or mood disorders, assess them, synthesize the findings, present an overview and make recommendations for future research.


METHODS
Systematic literature searches were performed using several databases. Selected articles had to describe an original study that provided prevalence and/or incidence estimates on autism and/or Asperger's syndrome co-morbidity with psychotic, anxiety and/or mood disorders.


CONCLUSIONS
There is conflicting evidence regarding the frequency of schizophrenia in this population. Depression appears to be common, although most individuals with autism do not have sufficient language skills to verbalize changes in mood. Anxiety disorders represent the most common psychiatric co-morbidity in this population.
Skokauskas
Norbert
N
Department of Child Psychiatry, St. James's Hospital, Dublin, Ireland. N_Skokauskas@yahoo.com
Gallagher
Louise
L
D000293:Adolescent; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D020817:Asperger Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D002648:Child; D002659:Child Development Disorders, Pervasive / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D015897:Comorbidity; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D019964:Mood Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology