Do anxiety disorders exist in persons with severe and profound mental retardation?

Sixty-nine individuals with severe and profound mental retardation were selected from 289 clients and studied for possible anxiety disorders. The validity of the DASH-II anxiety subscale was evaluated to determine its value in categorizing individuals with and without anxiety. Our findings were mired. Only behavioral symptoms associated with anxiety could be reliably assessed in these individuals. Unfortunately this ruled out many core symptoms of the disorder. Implications of the findings are discussed. Copyright (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.