Characterizing non-OCD anxiety disorders in psychiatrically referred children and adolescents

Abstract

Background To characterize childhood and adolescent anxiety disorders in a psychiatric clinic. Methods Subjects were 1375 youth referred to a pediatric psychopharmacology program at a major academic center from 1991–2002. DSM-III-R diagnoses were obtained by Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia for School-Age Children. Results Of 1375 referred youth, 794 had at least one non-obsessive-compulsive anxiety disorder, and 581 psychiatric comparison subjects had at least one disruptive behavior disorder and no anxiety disorders. There were 367 (46%) youth with one anxiety disorder, 224 (28%) with two disorders. Most prevalent were separation anxiety (49%), and overanxious disorder (47%). Mean ages of onset ranged from simple phobia (4.1) to panic disorder (8.5). Risk analyses revealed anxiety disorders significantly increased risk for anxiety and mood disorders. Conclusions The full complement of anxiety disorders occurs in youth.