Diagnosis and treatment of child and adolescent anxiety disorders

Abstract

The criteria from the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-III-R) for anxiety disorders relevant to children and adolescents are reviewed. Empirically supported behavioral and pharmacological therapies specific to separation anxiety disorder, avoidant disorder, overanxious disorder, simple phobia, obsessive compulsive disorder, and sleep terror disorder are discussed. Exposure-based treatments are indicated in most cases in which an anxiety-evoking stimulus can be clearly identified. With respect to the treatment of children and adolescents, pharmacotherapy remains understudied for most disorders. It appears that the behavioral therapies found useful in the treatment of adults with anxiety disorders can be successfully applied to the care of younger persons. Significant lacunae remain in the clinical research literature in these fields, offering many opportunities for both practitioners and scientists.