2012/01/01 by Luigi Mazzone, Liliana Ruta, Laura Reale · 1 citation
Neuroscience · Medicine · Psychology · #Autism Spectrum Disorder Research #Child Nutrition and Feeding Issues #Family and Disability Support Research #Comorbidity #Psychiatry #Autism #Asperger syndrome #High-functioning autism #Geriatric psychiatry #Psychiatric comorbidity #Psychology #Clinical psychology #Medicine #Autism spectrum disorder
paper · pdf · doi:10.1186/1744-859x-11-16
openalex publication_date 2012/01/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/23
Several psychiatric conditions, both internalizing and externalizing, have been documented in comorbidity with Asperger Syndrome (AS) and High Functioning Autism (HFA). In this review we examine the interplay between psychiatric comorbidities and AS/HFA. In particular, we will focus our attention on three main issues. First, we examine which psychiatric disorders are more frequently associated with AS/HFA. Second, we review which diagnostic tools are currently available for clinicians to investigate and diagnose the associated psychiatric disorders in individuals with AS/HFA. Third, we discuss the challenges that clinicians and researchers face in trying to determine whether the psychiatric symptoms are phenotypic manifestations of AS/HFA or rather they are the expression of a distinct, though comorbid, disorder. We will also consider the role played by the environment in the manifestation and interpretation of these symptoms. Finally, we will propose some strategies to try to address these issues, and we will discuss therapeutic implications.