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Anxiety disorders and sensory over-responsivity (SOR) are common in children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), and there is evidence for an association between these two conditions. Currently, it is unclear what causal mechanisms may exist between SOR and anxiety. We propose three possible theories to explain the association between anxiety and SOR: (a) SOR is caused by anxiety; (b) Anxiety is caused by SOR; or (c) SOR and anxiety are causally unrelated but are associated through a common risk factor or diagnostic overlap. In this paper, we examine support for each theory in the existing anxiety, autism, and neuroscience literature, and discuss how each theory informs choice of interventions and implications for future studies. Keywords Autism spectrum disorders * Anxiety * Sensory over-responsivity * Hyperarousal * Sensory defensiveness, Anxiety disorders are very common in children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), and can increase the functional impairment of these children (Lainhart 1999; White et al. 2009). A number of [...]

To link to full-text access for this article, visit this link: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.addbeh.2009.03.040 Byline: Wayne Hall (a), Louisa Degenhardt (b), Maree Teesson (b) Keywords: Comorbidity; Alcohol use disorder; Drug use disorder; Anxiety disorders; Affective disorders; Conduct disorder Abbreviations: NCS, National Comorbidity Survey; NCS-R, National Comorbidity Survey Replication; NESARC, National Epidemiological Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions; NSMHWB, The National Survey of Mental Health and Well-being, Australia; SUD, substance use disorder Abstract: In this paper, we argue that the research base for understanding comorbidity between substance use and other mental disorders needs to be broadened. We specifically advocate for: 1) more prospective epidemiological studies of relationships between alcohol and other drug use disorders and anxiety and mood disorders; 2) greater use of twin study designs to disentangle shared genetic and environmental contributions to comorbidity; 3) prospective neuroimaging studies of the effects of early and sustained alcohol and drug use on the developing adolescent brain; 4) a greater focus on the effects on comorbidity of primary and secondary prevention interventions for substance use, anxiety, affective and conduct disorders among children and adolescents; and 5) better evaluations of the impact of treatment upon persons with comorbid substance use and other mental disorders. Author Affiliation: (a) School of Population Health, University of Queensland, Herston Road, Herston, Queensland 4006, Australia (b) National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia Article Note: (footnote) [star] A publishers' error resulted in this article appearing in the wrong issue. The article is reprinted here for the reader's convenience and for the continuity of this special issue. Anyone wishing to cite this article should use the details of the original publication [Hall, W., et al., Understanding comorbidity between substance use, anxiety, and affective disorders: Broadening the research base, Addictive Behaviors 34/6-7 (2009) 526-530, doi:10.1016/j.addbeh.2009.03.010].

To link to full-text access for this article, visit this link: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.addbeh.2009.03.010 Byline: Wayne Hall (a), Louisa Degenhardt (b), Maree Teesson (b) Keywords: Comorbidity; Alcohol use disorder; Drug use disorder; Anxiety disorders; Affective disorders; Conduct disorder Abbreviations: NCS, National Comorbidity Survey; NCS-R, National Comorbidity Survey Replication; NESARC, National Epidemiological Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions; NSMHWB, The National Survey of Mental Health and Well-being, Australia; SUD, substance use disorder Abstract: In this paper, we argue that the research base for understanding comorbidity between substance use and other mental disorders needs to be broadened. We specifically advocate for: 1) more prospective epidemiological studies of relationships between alcohol and other drug use disorders and anxiety and mood disorders; 2) greater use of twin study designs to disentangle shared genetic and environmental contributions to comorbidity; 3) prospective neuroimaging studies of the effects of early and sustained alcohol and drug use on the developing adolescent brain; 4) a greater focus on the effects on comorbidity of primary and secondary prevention interventions for substance use, anxiety, affective and conduct disorders among children and adolescents; and 5) better evaluations of the impact of treatment upon persons with comorbid substance use and other mental disorders. Author Affiliation: (a) School of Population Health, University of Queensland, Herston Road, Herston, Queensland 4006, Australia (b) National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia

Venlafaxine extended release (XR) is the once-daily preparation of venlafaxine, which inhibits the reuptake of serotonin and norepinephrine. At lower doses, venlafaxine XR preferentially blocks the reuptake of serotonin, while at higher doses it blocks the reuptake of serotonin and norepinephrine. Although venlafaxine XR is not approved for pediatric use, it is increasingly being used in the treatment of pediatric anxiety and depressive disorders. While in the past several years there have been numerous randomized, placebo-controlled trials in pediatric generalized and social anxiety and depression, more studies are needed to determine when the utilization of venlafaxine XR in the pediatric population is warranted. Results from completed studies show improvement in generalized and social anxiety symptoms in children and adolescents, but only minimal improvement in depressive symptoms in adolescents, with no improvement in children. Gastrointestinal symptoms are the most commonly reported adverse events. Venlafaxine XR may affect weight, heart rate and blood pressure in the short-term, while its long-term effects are unknown. The most recent and comprehensive meta-analysis reports a 4% risk difference of suicidal ideation/attempt for venlafaxine XR versus placebo in depression trials, and a 1% risk difference for generalized and social anxiety studies. This paper will review available data regarding the safety and efficacy of venlafaxine XR use in the pediatric population, as well as the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of this medication., Author(s): Leslie Miller [sup.[[dagger]]] [sup.1] , Mark A Riddle [sup.2] Keywords: pediatric anxiety; pediatric depression; venlafaxine extended release Currently, venlafaxine extended release (XR) is not approved for use in the [...]

To link to full-text access for this article, visit this link: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2004.03.005 Byline: John Eustis Williams (a), David M. McCord (b) Keywords: Computerised assessment; Non-verbal intelligence; Equivalence; RSPM Abstract: The present study examined the equivalence of the computer administered version of the Raven Standard Progressive Matrices (RSPM) with the standard paper-and-pencil administered version of the RSPM. In addition, the effects of state and trait anxiety as well as computer anxiety were investigated. Fifty undergraduate volunteers were administered the RSPM twice under one of four conditions: computer-computer, standard-standard, computer-standard, or standard-computer. No significant differences were found between mean scores and standard deviations across administrations or formats. Rank-order correlations revealed similar ranking across formats. Tentative support for the equivalence of the computerized version of the RSPM was found. Analyses revealed no significant differences in anxiety across formats and no significant correlations between anxiety and RSPM performance. Explanations and implications for further research are discussed. Author Affiliation: (a) Department of Psychology, University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, IA 50614, USA (b) Department of Psychology, Western Carolina University, Cullowhee, NC 28723, USA

Background. While the cognitive theory of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is one of the most widely accepted accounts of the maintenance of the disorder in adults, no study to date has systematically evaluated the theory across children, adolescence and adults with OCD. Method. This paper investigated developmental differences in the cognitive processing of threat in a sample of children, adolescents and adults with OCD. Using an idiographic assessment approach, as well as self-report questionnaires, this study evaluated cognitive appraisals of responsibility, probability, severity, thought-action fusion (TAF), thought-suppression, self-doubt and cognitive control. It was hypothesised that there would be age related differences in reported responsibility for harm, probability of harm, severity of harm, thought suppression, TAF, self-doubt and cognitive control. Results. Results of this study demonstrated that children with OCD reported experiencing fewer intrusive thoughts, which were less distressing and less uncontrollable than those experienced by adolescents and adults with OCD. Furthermore, responsibility attitudes, probability biases and thought suppression strategies were higher in adolescents and adults with OCD. Cognitive processes of TAF, perceived severity of harm, self-doubt and cognitive control were found to be comparable across age groups. Conclusions. These results suggest that the current cognitive theory of OCD needs to address developmental differences in the cognitive processing of threat. Furthermore, for a developmentally sensitive theory of OCD, further investigation is warranted into other possible age related maintenance factors. Implications of this investigation and directions for future research are discussed., The cognitive-behavioural theory of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) proposes that cognitive content and processes are central in the aetiology and maintenance of the disorder. Researchers responsible for pioneering the cognitive theory [...]

A pediatrician is seeing 'Allison,' a 15-year-old female patient with anorexia nervosa (AN) and a cooccurring diagnosis of generalized anxiety disorder. Her eating disorder behaviors began 2 years ago when [...]