Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Abstract This chapter focuses on the Generalized Anxiety Disorder section of the Anxiety and Related Disorders Interview Schedule for DSM-5, Child Version, with Autism Spectrum Addendum (ADIS/ASA): Parent Interview Schedule (PIS). This section offers some guidelines and special considerations for differentiating symptoms of generalized anxiety from behavioral difficulties secondary to Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Some children on the autism spectrum present with intense fears and worries about even small changes to their environment, schedule, or activities. They may also present with intense resistance to novel or unstructured situations and worries that are specifically focused on an area or activity about which they are intensely interested. Clinicians should assess if the child’s fears are realistic given the particular circumstances of their life and abilities. Behavioral examples of anticipatory worries and fears should be clear and compelling in order to diagnose Generalized Anxiety Disorder in a child who cannot or does not verbally express these concerns. When assessing generalized anxiety, clinicians should also assess and help parents to focus on the child’s worries rather than on other forms of perseverative thinking.