Social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and specific phobia are anxiety disorders frequently diagnosed in adolescents and are found in the category that addresses disorders where anxiety is the primary symptom. This entry examines symptoms and treatment of various anxiety disorders and explains the impact of anxiety on adolescents, their families, and friends.

Anxiety and fear are ubiquitous across cultures and essential to human adaptation and survival. Some anxiety is necessary and normal; however, when anxiety is excessive, it leads to dysfunctional behavior, and adolescents may continue to feel anxious even when there is no apparent reason or trigger. Response to a distressing event can result in fight-or-flight reactions and accompanying physical symptoms such as cardiac irregularities and breathing problems. Understanding the neurobiological basis of fear and ...