Anxiety in Childhood

Anxiety disorders are the most common mental health problems affecting youth, with approximately 10% to 20% of children and adolescents experiencing disabling levels of anxiety. Children with anxiety experience excessive fear and/or worry in a variety of situations, which is often accompanied by a variety of somatic symptoms, including headache, stomachache, or symptoms of panic. Children with anxiety may also experience interfering anticipatory worry, often leading to avoidance of the feared situation. Additionally, early onset of anxiety has been associated with greater lifetime severity.

Youth with anxiety disorders may experience adverse outcomes that can have a wide impact. In particular, anxiety in youth has been linked with academic impairment, reduced extracurricular involvement, and a reduced social network compared with nonanxious youth. Anxious children and adolescents may ...

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