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Clinical features, developmental course, and psychiatric comorbidity of adult autism spectrum disorders

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 December 2013

Giulia Vannucchi ,
Gabriele Masi ,
Cristina Toni ,
Liliana Dell'Osso ,
Donatella Marazziti  and
Giulio Perugi
Giulia Vannucchi
Affiliation:
Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Psychiatry Unit, University of Pisa, Italy
Gabriele Masi
Affiliation:
§IRCCS Stella Maris, Scientific Institute of Child Neurology and Psychiatry, Calambrone (Pisa), Italy
Cristina Toni
Affiliation:
Institute of Behavioural Sciences “G. De Lisio”, Pisa, Italy
Liliana Dell'Osso
Affiliation:
Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Psychiatry Unit, University of Pisa, Italy
Donatella Marazziti
Affiliation:
Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Psychiatry Unit, University of Pisa, Italy
Giulio Perugi*
Affiliation:
Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Psychiatry Unit, University of Pisa, Italy Institute of Behavioural Sciences “G. De Lisio”, Pisa, Italy
*
*Address for correspondence: Dr. Giulio Perugi, Clinica Psichiatrica Università di Pisa, Via Roma, 67, 56100, Pisa, Italy. (Email: [email protected])
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Abstract

Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) include a heterogeneous group of neurodevelopmental disorders with early onset in childhood. ASDs should be considered lifelong clinical entities, although there is a certain variability in developmental trajectories, and therefore should be considered of great interest also for adulthood psychiatrists. A few studies have been carried out to explore the clinical picture and course development of these disorders during adulthood, or their relationship with other mental disorders. Indeed, ASDs often share overlapping features with other disorders, such as schizophrenia and obsessive-compulsive, mood, and personality disorders, and as a result misdiagnoses often occur. The aim of this review is to summarize the available literature on ASDs in adulthood with a specific focus on the clinical picture, course, and psychiatric comorbidity. It is proposed that a careful diagnostic screening for ASDs in adults would contribute to clarifying the relationship with comorbid psychiatric disorders, while improving the possibility of treatment and outcome of such conditions.

Keywords

Adult autistic spectrum disordersmood disorderspersonality disorderspsychiatric comorbidityschizophrenia
Type
Review Articles
Information
CNS Spectrums , Volume 19 , Issue 2 , April 2014 , pp. 157 - 164
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2013 

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