A prospective study of childhood anxiety disorders.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate course and outcome of DSM-III-R anxiety disorders prospectively in clinically referred children.


METHODS
Children were blindly and repeatedly assessed with a structured diagnostic interview over a 3- to 4-year period to determine recovery from anxiety disorder and development of new psychiatric disorders. Both psychopathological (attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, n = 50) and never psychiatrically ill (NPI, n = 83) controls served as comparison groups for children with anxiety disorders (n = 84).


RESULTS
The majority of children (82%) were free from their intake anxiety disorders by the end of the follow-up. Relapse of these anxiety disorders after remission was rare (8%). During follow-up, anxious children were more likely to develop new psychiatric disorders (30%), primarily new anxiety disorders (16%), than were NPI children (11% and 2%, respectively), but not psychopathological controls (42% and 10%, respectively).


CONCLUSIONS
Overall, results suggest a favorable outcome with respect to diagnostic status for clinically referred children with anxiety disorders. However, these children may be at risk for new psychiatric disorders over time.
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Center for Psychological Studies, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA.
Perrin
S
S
Hersen
M
M
Kazdin
A E
AE
D000293:Adolescent; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D010552:Personality Assessment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012307:Risk Factors