Characterizing non-OCD anxiety disorders in psychiatrically referred children and adolescents.
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.
Hammerness
Paul
P
Massachusetts General Hospital, Pediatric Psychopharmacology Unit, Boston, MA 02138, United States. phammerness@partners.org
Harpold
Theresa
T
Petty
Carter
C
Menard
Chantal
C
Zar-Kessler
Claire
C
Biederman
Joseph
J
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D001010:Anxiety, Separation / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D002648:Child; D015897:Comorbidity; D003710:Demography; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D009771:Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D016584:Panic Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D010698:Phobic Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D015995:Prevalence; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology*