Anxiety now too!

[jill]

I just got a copy of the psychologists updated report on my child and he has added anxiety not otherwise specified to the list. She has had some anxiety things but it was never on paper until now. What do they mean by not otherwise specified?

[jj]

I believe it means she doesn't meet all the criteria associated with a straight out DX of anxiety disorder. She may just meet a couple of the criteria. Someone correct me if I'm wrong.

[jj]

This is the basic criteria for a DX of anxiety disorder. It could be that she only has a couple of the symptoms in #3 or doesn't fit #1 at all. So psychologists use NOS to show that they think she has anxiety but doesn't fit the criteria exactly which is very common in many disorders since individuals are so different.

©2007 UpToDate®



Diagnostic criteria for generalized anxiety disorder
1. Excessive anxiety and worry about a number of events or activities, occurring more days than not for at least six months, that are out of proportion to the likelihood or impact of feared events.
2. The worry is pervasive and difficult to control.
3. The anxiety and worry are associated with three (or more) of the following six symptoms (with at least some symptoms present for more days than not for the past six months):
Restlessness or feeling keyed up or on edge
Being easily fatigued
Difficulty concentrating or mind going blank
Irritability
Muscle tension
Sleep disturbance (difficulty falling or staying asleep, or restless unsatisfying sleep)
4. The anxiety, worry, or physical symptoms cause clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.

Adapted from Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th Ed, Primary Care Version (DSM-IV-PC). American Psychiatric Association, Washington, DC 1995.

[charliegirl]

Definition

Anxiety or phobic avoidance that does not meet the criteria for any other specific disorder. ( E.g., Anxiety Disorder, Phobia, Adjustment Disorder With Anxiety, Adjustment Disorder With Mixed Anxiety, Depressed Mood . )

There is quite a bit about it, the treatment options, etc if you want to check it out.

psyweb.com/Mdisord/AnxietyDis/anxietynos.jsp

[mary2]

My son has always shown anxiety. I think it started very early in school even before he was diagnosed. At that time his tics maybe were signs of it; in fact, he would get his tics at situations that were difficult for him to cope with. After he was diagnosed and started effective medication (Concerta), he still shows anxiety, he bites his fingernails to bleed and sometimes uses that non fluent speech; it really gets bad when he is at demanding school periods; additionally, the medication he takes helps him in concentrating better but worsens his anxiety (biting fingernails seems to be a result of the Concerta he takes). Last time we visited the Dr. he told me that his anxiety is not that bad to take action with another medication; and I really don't want to add more medication to my son. With this being said Jill, all I want to transmit you is that anxiety seems to be pretty common in adhders and sometimes it could worsen with medication. I feel it is difficult to be 100% happy about the outcome of a treatment; it might help in one thing but might worsen the other. With Strattera for example, my son's tics stopped completely and I was the happiest mom on earth about this, but his moods were difficult to stand and he was not able to sit still or concentrate, so...

[katiekat]

Sean was DX with an anxiety disorder as well. New therapist is saying it could be part of Aspergers but we don't really know yet. His shows by him twirling and pulling his hair, stuttering, and not being able to speak correctly.

[jill]

Thanks everyone my sister-in-law said last night you are right JJ can meet some of the criteria but not all. Well when I go to SSA office to bring them stuff I will bring the newest diagnosis with me.