Anxiety disorders in children and adolescents: Need for early detection

摘要

Anxiety is a normal human emotion and involves behavioral, affective, and cognitive responses to the perception of danger. It is considered to beexcessive or pathological when it is out of proportion to the challenge or stress or when it results in significant distress and impairment.[1] It isviewed as a normal part of childhood. Children experience fear, nervousness, shyness, and avoidance of places and activities that persist at timesdespite the helpful efforts of parents, caretakers, and teachers. Anxiety disorders are one of the most common disorders seen among children andadolescents. The prevalence of anxiety disorders ranges from 4% to 20%.[2] Common anxiety disorders among children are specific phobia,social phobia, generalized anxiety disorder, and separation anxiety disorder having mean prevalence rates between 2.2% and 3.6%. Agoraphobia(1.5%) and post-traumatic stress disorder (1.5%) are less prevalent, whereas panic and obsessive–compulsive disorders are relatively rare (i.e.,below 1%).[3]