Comorbidity and severity of anxiety and depressive disorders in a clinic sample

Ninety-six children and adolescents with school refusal were evaluated with clinician and self-report rating scales for anxiety and depression. Patients meeting DSM-III-R criteria for both anxiety and depressive disorders scored significantly higher than those in the other three diagnostic groups (anxiety disorder only, depressive disorder only, and no anxiety or depressive disorder) on all anxiety and depression rating scales. Patients with no anxiety or depressive disorders scored lowest on all scales. Patients with pure depression and pure anxiety disorders were psychometrically similar, with scores that were intermediate between the other two groups. Demographic profiles and types of comorbid anxiety diagnoses within the diagnostic groups are presented.