Diagnosis and Treatment for Anxiety Disorders
On any given day, from 3% to 5% of children and adolescents in the United States have some type of anxiety disorder. Without treatment, this kind of disorder can interfere with their ability to carry out everyday tasks, succeed in school, or make and keep friends. Or it may simply cause great distress that saps much of their enjoyment from life.
The good news is that we now know more about treating anxiety disorders than ever before. There aren’t any miracle cures, but there are effective forms of psychotherapy and medication to help your teen feel better.
To reach a diagnosis, your doctor must carefully evaluate your symptoms. Underlying medical conditions will need to be addressed. Anxiety disorders can be treated with medication, cognitive therapy, or behavioral therapy. Often, a combination of treatments is the best course of action. Treatment for anxiety disorders should be viewed as long term.
