Diagnostic Criteria for Psychiatric Disorders for Use with Adults with Learning Disabilities/Mental Retardation (DC-LD) and the diagnosis of anxiety disorders: a review

During the development of Diagnostic Criteria for Psychiatric Disorders for Use with Adults with Learning Disabilities [DC-LD] a literature review of diagnostic issues in anxiety disorders in adults with intellectual disability (ID) was undertaken using electronic and hand searching of journals. Relevant general concepts in the general population are reviewed briefly before those related specifically to adults with ID. The literature relating to the diagnosis of specific anxiety disorders is reviewed, although with the exception of obsessive compulsive disorder this consists mainly of case reports. Difficulties in the use of diagnostic systems developed for the general population for the diagnosis of anxiety disorders in adults with ID are frequently commented upon. It is concluded that anxiety disorders are well recognized in adults with ID, although their prevalence is uncertain, and that the use of modified diagnostic criteria may aid further research in this area.