title: Psychosis, affective disorders and anxiety in autistic spectrum disorder: prevalence and nosological considerations.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Child Psychiatry, St. James's Hospital, Dublin, Ireland. N_Skokauskas@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Norbert
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Skokauskas
authors.forename: Louise
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gallagher
mesh_terms: 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