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SPECIFYING CHILD ANXIETY DISORDERS NOT OTHERWISE SPECIFIED IN THE DSM ‐IV
Author(s) -
Comer Jonathan S.,
Gallo Kaitlin P.,
KorathuLarson Priya,
Pincus Donna B.,
Brown Timothy A.
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
depression and anxiety
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.634
H-Index - 129
eISSN - 1520-6394
pISSN - 1091-4269
DOI - 10.1002/da.21981
Subject(s) - generalized anxiety disorder , child behavior checklist , anxiety , clinical psychology , separation anxiety disorder , psychiatry , cbcl , psychology , checklist , conduct disorder , interview , anxiety disorder , specific phobia , medical diagnosis , medicine , pathology , political science , law , cognitive psychology
Background Anxiety disorder not otherwise specified ( ADNOS ) is one of the more common and impairing DSM ‐IV diagnoses assigned in child practice settings, but it is not clear what percentage of these assignments simply reflect poor diagnostic practices. Methods The present study evaluated patterns and correlates of child ADNOS in a large outpatient treatment seeking sample of anxious youth ( N = 650), utilizing structured diagnostic interviewing procedures. Results Roughly, 15% of youth met diagnostic criteria for ADNOS . Overall, these youth exhibited comparable levels of clinical problems relative to youth with DSM ‐IV–specified anxiety disorders ( AD ), and roughly two‐thirds of ADNOS cases exhibited symptom presentations closely resembling generalized anxiety disorder ( GAD ). Among ADNOS presentations resembling GAD , those failing to meet the "worries more days than not" or "worries across multiple domains" criteria showed lower internalizing symptoms than GAD youth, but comparable anxious/depressed symptoms, somatic symptoms, social problems, externalizing problems, and total problems as measured by the C hild B ehavior C hecklist. Conclusions Childhood ADNOS cases are prevalent and warrant clinical attention. In many cases there are only a couple, if any, clinical differences between these disorders and the AD s they closely resemble. Future work is needed to improve upon the current taxonomy of childhood AD s to specify a larger proportion of affected youth needing care.