Assessment and Treatment of Anxiety Disorders in Children and Adolescents

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • Anna M. Wehry - , University of Cincinnati (Author)
  • Katja Beesdo-Baum - , Institute of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Chair of Behavioral Epidemiology, TUD Dresden University of Technology (Author)
  • Meghann M. Hennelly - , University of Illinois at Chicago (Author)
  • Sucheta D. Connolly - , University of Illinois at Chicago (Author)
  • Jeffrey R. Strawn - , University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center (Author)

Abstract

Recent advances in the developmental epidemiology, neurobiology, and treatment of pediatric anxiety disorders have increased our understanding of these conditions and herald improved outcomes for affected children and adolescents. This article reviews the current epidemiology, longitudinal trajectory, and neurobiology of anxiety disorders in youth. Additionally, we summarize the current evidence for both psychotherapeutic and psychopharmacologic treatments of fear-based anxiety disorders (e.g., generalized, social, and separation anxiety disorders) in children and adolescents. Current data suggest that these disorders begin in childhood and adolescence, exhibit homotypic continuity, and increase the risk of secondary anxiety and mood disorders. Psychopharmacologic trials involving selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and selective serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SSNRIs) are effective in pediatric patients with anxiety disorders and have generally demonstrated moderate effect sizes. Additionally, current data support cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for the treatment of these conditions in youth and suggest that the combination of psychotherapy + an SSRI may be associated with greater improvement than would be expected with either treatment as monotherapy.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Article number3
JournalCurrent psychiatry reports
Volume17
Issue number7
Publication statusPublished - 22 Jul 2015
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

PubMed 25980507
ORCID /0000-0002-9687-5527/work/142235336

Keywords

Sustainable Development Goals

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Keywords

  • Antidepressant, Anxiety disorders