Comorbid psychiatric disorders may be more common with Asperger Syndrome and High Functioning Autism than recognized

A search of published studies from 2000 to 2011 looking at the occurence of other disorders along side Asperger syndrome and High Functioning Autism that was recently reported indicates that other comorbid psychiatric disorders might be much more common than previously recognized.  For example obsessive compulsive disorder was found to be strongly associated with Asperger syndrome.  Although the DSM-IV-TR excludes a diagnosis of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) if there is an Autism Spectrum Disorder diagnosis, there was likewise a strong association shown between the two.  Tic disorders and Tourette Syndrome were also shown to be strongly associated with this population.  It is suggested that difficulties recognizing and expressing feelings and emotions make diagnosing comorbid psychiatric conditions more difficult in this population.  Read more about it at empr.com here:
http://www.empr.com/psychiatric-comorbidities-in-asperger-syndrome--too-often-unrecognized/article/276086/1/