Functional assessment of comorbid and secondary disorders: Identifying conditions for primary treatment

Abstract

Anxiety disorders are among the most prevalent psychiatric diagnoses in adults and children (Costello, Mustillo, Erkanli, Keeler, & Angold, 2003; Curry, March, & Hervey, 2004; Kessler, Chiu, Demler, & Walters, 2005; Merikangas et al., 2010). Thus, it is common for clinicians to encounter many individuals seeking treatment for anxiety. Given the nature of anxiety, those with an anxiety disorder tend to present their anxious symptoms as the primary, or perhaps only, complaint when they make the decision to seek treatment. This tendency holds even when there may be other factors negatively impacting their day-to-day functioning. Furthermore, there are several other diagnoses that tend to co-occur with anxiety disorders, including a second anxiety disorder, depression, Attention-De ficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), or substance use disorder.