Anxiety disorders are among the most common mental health challenges experienced by children and adolescents. While occasional worry is a normal part of development, some young people experience anxiety that becomes persistent and disruptive, affecting their academic performance, social relationships, and overall quality of life. Creswell et al. shows that anxiety in youth arises from a combination of factors, including a child’s temperament, family history, parenting patterns, and stressful or challenging life experiences.
Because symptoms often overlap with other conditions, accurate assessment requires gathering information from both children and caregivers using structured interviews and validated questionnaires. The article emphasizes that Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is the most effective and well-supported treatment for pediatric anxiety, helping many children learn to manage fears, challenge unhelpful thoughts, and gradually face situations that cause distress. However, despite the availability of effective interventions, many children do not receive the support they need due to barriers such as limited access to trained providers, long waitlists, or the misconception that anxiety is simply a phase.
Creswell et al. stresses the importance of expanding access to evidence-based treatments and continuing research to better tailor approaches to different developmental stages. Moreover, the review underscores a crucial message: anxiety in young people is real, common, and highly treatable, and early intervention can significantly improve long-term outcomes.
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Erin Mulroy
UConn KIDS Research Assistant