scholarly journals Anxiety disorders in children and adolescents: aetiology, diagnosis and treatment

2016 ◽  
Vol 22 (5) ◽  
pp. 335-344 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aaron K. Vallance ◽  
Victoria Fernandez
Keyword(s):  
Anxiety Disorders ◽  
Children And Adolescents ◽  
Depressive Disorders ◽  
Developmentally Appropriate ◽  
Childhood Anxiety ◽  
Behavioural Therapy ◽  
Childhood Anxiety Disorders ◽  
Cognitive Behavioural ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
The Individual

SummaryThe presentation of anxiety disorders in children and adolescents shares similarities and differences with that in adults, and may vary significantly, depending on the age of the individual. Assessment must differentiate anxiety disorders from developmentally appropriate fears as well as medical conditions and drugs that can mimic anxiety states. Aetiology of anxiety disorders in this group encompasses complex genetic and environmental influences. Additional insight into causation is provided by neuroimaging and research into temperament. Recommended interventions include both cognitive-behavioural therapy and pharmacology. Although childhood anxiety disorders generally remit, there remains an increased risk for anxiety and depressive disorders to emerge in adulthood, most likely through heterotypical continuity.

Effectiveness of CBT Versus Standard Treatment for Childhood Anxiety Disorders in a Community Clinic Setting

2005 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 29-43 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julie Barrington ◽  
Margot Prior ◽  
Margaret Richardson ◽  
Kathleen Allen
Keyword(s):  
Anxiety Disorders ◽  
Childhood Anxiety ◽  
Behavioural Therapy ◽  
Clinical Psychologist ◽  
Community Mental Health Service ◽  
Treatment As Usual ◽  
Childhood Anxiety Disorders ◽  
Treatment Conditions ◽  
Cognitive Behavioural ◽  
Number Of Treatment

AbstractThe efficacy of cognitive—behavioural therapy (CBT) for the treatment of childhood anxiety has mainly been demonstrated in university-clinic settings. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of CBT for the treatment of childhood anxiety in a community mental health service, compared with standard treatments (‘Treatment as Usual’ [TAU]) 'child psychotherapy, family therapy and eclectic treatments. Fifty-four children with anxiety disorders, aged from 7 to 14 years, were randomly assigned to either a CBT or TAU group. CBT and the standard treatments were provided by 18 experienced therapists, and the mean number of treatment sessions was 12. Baseline and follow-up measures at 3, 6 and 12 months included an interview based on criteria in the fourth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) that was conducted by a clinical psychologist who was blind to the treatment conditions, and standardised anxiety measures (parent, child and teacher reports). Significant improvements were found on all anxiety measures over time, but no significant differences were found between CBT and TAU. The challenge of conducting such research in community settings is discussed.

scholarly journals Cognitive behavioural psychotherapy for anxiety disorders in children and adolescents with particular focus on generalised anxiety disorder

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (4) ◽  
pp. 274-282
Author(s):  
Anna Meslin-Kuźniak ◽  
◽  
Katarzyna Nowicka-Sauer ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Anxiety Disorder ◽  
Anxiety Disorders ◽  
Children And Adolescents ◽  
Depressive Disorders ◽  
Suicide Attempts ◽  
Theoretical Models ◽  
Behavioural Therapy ◽  
Generalised Anxiety Disorder ◽  
Treatment Protocols ◽  
Cognitive Behavioural

The paper presents the issue of anxiety disorders among children and adolescents with particular focus on generalised anxiety disorder and the use of cognitive behavioural psychotherapy in the affected patients. Data on epidemiology, aetiology and diagnosis of anxiety disorders, as well as the specificity and limitations of cognitive behavioural therapy among younger patients are presented. Statistical data show that the group of affected children and adolescents is growing. The diagnosis of generalised anxiety in children and adolescents may take time. It requires careful collection of history and observation of behaviours in different functioning domains. It may happen that symptoms indicative of generalised anxiety disorders are underestimated or missed by adults from the child’s immediate environment. Early and accurate diagnosis is important also because the disorder may give rise to depressive disorders or contribute to suicide attempts. Research shows that cognitive behavioural psychotherapy, often aided by pharmacotherapy, is one of the most effective and popular forms of therapy in children and adolescents with generalised anxiety disorders. The paper describes the theoretical models of the disorder, as well as its implications for psychotherapy and current research trends. Cognitive behavioural therapeutic programs intended for children and adolescents with anxiety disorders are also presented. The literature review shows that studies and protocols devoted exclusively to the treatment of generalised anxiety in children and adolescents are still missing. Therefore, treatment protocols for adults, which are appropriately adjusted to age and cognitive development of the child, are often used, especially for older children.

Building the Case for Brief Psychointerventions in the Treatment of Specific Phobias in Children and Adolescents

2008 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 191-200 ◽  
Author(s):  
Natalie Flatt ◽  
Neville King
Keyword(s):  
Anxiety Disorders ◽  
Children And Adolescents ◽  
Peer Relations ◽  
Exposure Therapy ◽  
Childhood Anxiety ◽  
Controlled Trials ◽  
Childhood Anxiety Disorders ◽  
Cognitive Behavioural ◽  
Specific Phobias ◽  
Behavioural Therapies

AbstractSpecific phobias are one of the most prevalent childhood anxiety disorders. Research suggests that phobias in children, such as animal or situational phobias, lead to significant impairments in peer relations, social and academic competence. Hence it is imperative to treat phobias within children and adolescents early to avoid more serious, engrained symptoms later in the lifespan. This review focuses on traditional exposure-based cognitive–behavioural therapies, and the more recent one-session exposure therapy for phobia treatment (Ost, 1987), a procedure that has only begun to be administered to children. Further, controlled trials evaluating the efficacy of 1-session exposure therapy with phobic children are urgently required. We also address challenges for researchers using psycho-education to control nonspecific treatment effects.

scholarly journals Online Attention Bias Modification in Combination With Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy for Children and Adolescents With Anxiety Disorders: A Randomised Controlled Trial

2019 ◽  
Vol 36 (4) ◽  
pp. 200-215 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jasmijn M. de Lijster ◽  
Gwendolyn C. Dieleman ◽  
Elisabeth M.W.J. Utens ◽  
Jan van der Ende ◽  
Tamsin M. Alexander ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Anxiety Disorder ◽  
Anxiety Disorders ◽  
Children And Adolescents ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Attention Bias ◽  
Behavioural Therapy ◽  
Attention Bias Modification ◽  
Cognitive Behavioural ◽  
Secondary Outcomes ◽  
Bias Modification

AbstractAttention Bias Modification (ABM) targets attention bias (AB) towards threat, which is common in youth with anxiety disorders. Previous clinical trials showed inconsistent results regarding the efficacy of ABM, and few studies have examined the effect of online ABM and its augmented effect with cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). The aim of the current study was to examine the efficacy of online ABM combined with CBT for children and adolescents with anxiety disorders in a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Children (aged 8–16 years) completed nine online sessions of ABM (n= 28) or online sessions of the Attention Control Condition (ACC;n= 27) over a period of 3 weeks (modified dot-probe task with anxiety disorder-congruent stimuli), followed by CBT. Primary outcomes were clinician-reported anxiety disorder status. Secondary outcomes were patient-reported anxiety and depression symptoms and AB. Results showed a continuous decrease across time in primary and secondary outcomes (ps < .001). However, no differences across time between the ABM and ACC group were found (ps > .50). Baseline AB and age did not moderate treatment effects. Online ABM combined with CBT does not show different efficacy compared with online ACC with CBT for children and adolescents with anxiety disorders.

scholarly journals Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Japanese Children and Adolescents with Anxiety Disorders: A Pilot Study

2012 ◽  
Vol 40 (3) ◽  
pp. 271-285 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shin-ichi Ishikawa ◽  
Naoyasu Motomura ◽  
Yasuo Kawabata ◽  
Hidetaka Tanaka ◽  
Sakie Shimotsu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Anxiety Disorders ◽  
Children And Adolescents ◽  
Behavioural Therapy ◽  
Behaviour Therapy ◽  
Japanese Children ◽  
Cognitive Behavioural ◽  
Cognitive Behaviour ◽  
Self Talk ◽  
Future Challenges

Background: Thirty-three Japanese children and adolescents diagnosed with an anxiety disorder participated in individual or group Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) that was modelled after evidence-based intervention programs developed in Western countries. Method: The treatment consisted of: (a) building rapport and education; (b) identifying emotions and recognizing cognitive self-talk; (c) challenging anxious self-talk; (d) developing an anxiety hierarchy and in vivo exposures; and (e) planning for future challenges. Results: Three months following treatment, 20 of the 33 children and adolescents (60.91%) no longer met criteria for their principal anxiety disorders and 16 (48.48%) were free from all anxiety disorders. Self-reported anxiety, depression, and cognitive errors also decreased significantly from pre- to post-treatment and these gains were maintained at 3-month follow-up. For the most part, similar outcomes were found in both the group and individual formats of CBT. Conclusions: This study provides preliminary support for the transportability of CBT in both an individual and group format to Japan.

The Association Between Maternal Anxiety and Treatment Outcome for Childhood Anxiety Disorders

2009 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Natalie S. Gar ◽  
Jennifer L. Hudson
Keyword(s):  
Treatment Outcome ◽  
Anxiety Disorder ◽  
Childhood Anxiety ◽  
Behavioural Therapy ◽  
Primary Diagnosis ◽  
Maternal Anxiety ◽  
Diagnostic Data ◽  
Childhood Anxiety Disorders ◽  
Cognitive Behavioural

AbstractThis study examined the influence of maternal anxiety on the treatment outcome of anxious children. Forty-eight clinically anxious children (aged 6–14 years) were classified into two groups based on the presence of an anxiety disorder diagnosis in their mother. Diagnostic data at posttreatment showed that children with anxious mothers responded significantly less favourably to cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) than did children with nonanxious mothers (28% vs. 58% improved, respectively). At 12-month follow-up, 68% of children with anxious mothers improved, compared to 79% of children with nonanxious mothers. This difference was not significant. Findings were not consistent across outcome measures. This study also investigated the changes in maternal anxiety across child treatment. Prior to treatment, diagnostic data showed that 60% of mothers met criteria for an anxiety disorder. At posttreatment, 21% of these mothers were free of their primary diagnosis. There was also a significant reduction in self-reported maternal anxiety across treatment that was maintained at follow-up. Theoretical and clinical implications of the findings are discussed.

Therapist Effects in Guided Internet-Delivered CBT for Anxiety Disorders

2010 ◽  
Vol 39 (3) ◽  
pp. 311-322 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonas Almlöv ◽  
Per Carlbring ◽  
Karin Källqvist ◽  
Björn Paxling ◽  
Pim Cuijpers ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Anxiety Disorders ◽  
Statistical Power ◽  
Psychological Treatment ◽  
Intraclass Correlation ◽  
Empirical Support ◽  
Behavioural Therapy ◽  
Therapist Effects ◽  
Cognitive Behavioural ◽  
The Individual ◽  
The Impact

Background: Guided internet-delivered CBT for anxiety disorders has received increasing empirical support, but little is known regarding the role of the therapist. Aims: This study addressed therapist factors in guided internet-delivered cognitive behavioural therapy for anxiety disorders. Method: Data from three controlled trials with a total N of 119 were analyzed with attention to differences between eight therapists. Results: No significant mean level differences between therapists appeared in the dataset. However, one significant intraclass correlation between participants was found, suggesting that the outcome on the Beck Anxiety Inventory might have been influenced by the impact of the individual therapists. Conclusion: The therapist can possibly have some influence on the outcome of guided internet-delivered CBT for anxiety disorders, but studies with more statistical power are needed to establish whether therapist effects are present in this modality of psychological treatment. The present study was underpowered to detect minor therapist effects.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document