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Objective: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized by high rates of comorbidity with other mental disorders, including anxiety disorders and obsessive–compulsive disorder. Beyond a mere concept of comorbidity, recent literature is speculating the existence of a neurodevelopmental nature of such mental disorders. The aim of the study is to investigate the distribution of social-phobic, obsessive–compulsive and panic-agoraphobic traits within a sample of individuals with ASD, social anxiety disorder (SAD), obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) and panic disorder (PD). Methods: 40 participants with ASD, 40 with SAD, 40 with OCD, 40 with PD and 50 HC were assessed with the Social Anxiety Spectrum—Short Version (SHY-SV) questionnaire, the Obsessive—Compulsive Spectrum—Short Version (OBS-SV) questionnaire and the Panic Agoraphobic Spectrum—Short Version (PAS-SV) questionnaire. Statistical analyses included Kruskal–Wallis test and Chi-square test. Results: When analyzing SHY-SV scores, the SAD group obtained the highest scores, with individuals with ASD following closely, significantly surpassing the scores of the remaining diagnostic groups. In the examination of OBS-SV questionnaire scores, individuals with ASD once again secured the second-highest scores, trailing only the OCD group. These scores were notably higher than those of both the PD group and healthy controls. In the analysis of PAS-SV scores, the ASD group once again achieved the highest scores after the PD individuals, although this time the difference was not statistically significant compared to the other diagnostic groups. Discussion: These findings highlight the central role of the autism spectrum in SAD and OCD diagnoses. They provide support for the hypotheses of a neurodevelopmental basis for social anxiety and OCD, contributing to the growing body of evidence supporting a dimensional and interconnected view of mental health conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In the recent years, a growing body of literature stressed the importance of a dimensional perspective on mental disorders. In particular, since its conceptualization, one of the main concerns in the field of Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) has been the definition of a diagnostic threshold, leading to the suggestion that SAD may be more properly classified as a spectrum of severity rather than a discrete disorder based on subjectively determined threshold. The purpose of the current research is to evaluate the psychometric qualities of the Social Anxiety Spectrum - Short Version (SHY-SV), a novel questionnaire designed to measure the complete range of social anxiety symptoms, from overt manifestations to subthreshold ones. Methods: 42 subjects with a clinical diagnosis of social anxiety disorder (SAD) according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), 43 subjects with a clinical diagnosis of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and 60 individuals without current or lifetime mental disorders (HC) were recruited from the Psychiatric Clinic of the University of Pisa. Subjects were assessed with the SCID-5, Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale (LSAS) and the SHY-SV. Results: SHY-SV showed strong internal consistency, and both the total and domain scores had great test-retest reliability. The Pearson's coefficients for the SHY-SV domain scores ranged from 0.391 to 0.933, and they were positively and significantly correlated with one another (p 0.001). All the SHY-SV domain scores were highly correlated with the SHY-SV total score. Results from of the correlation coefficients between SHY-SV and alternative measures of SAD were all significant and positive. Significant differences among diagnostic groups on both SAD-SV domains and total scores were found. SAD-SV total score increased significantly and progressively from HCs, to the OCD up to the SAD group which showed the highest values. Conclusion: The SHY-SV demonstrated significant convergent validity with other dimensional SAD measures, great internal consistency, and test-retest reliability. With an increasing score gradient from healthy controls to patients with OCD to those with SAD, the questionnaire performed differently in each of the three diagnostic categories. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: There is growing concern about the psychopathological consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic. The prolonged stress due to the spreading fear of the contagion and to the enforced containment measures are deemed to trigger recurrences of preexisting mental disorders as well as the onset of new ones. From such perspective, clinical cases may be of primary ground to identify individual features and pandemic-related factors predisposing to the development of serious psychiatric symptoms. Case presentation: Mr. R. is a 64-year-old, married, unemployed man, whose premorbid personality was characterized by relevant autistic traits. The patient developed catatonia in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. We aimed at discussing the role of both preexisting and precipitating factors. Conclusions: Autism spectrum could represent a predisposing factor for severe psychopathological outcome and catatonia. Furthermore, the present clinical case highlights the role of COVID-19 pandemic in influencing physical and mental health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]