Anxiety in Youth: Diagnosis and Treatment

Anxiety disorders in children and teens are increasing, and early treatment brings better outcomes, so PCPs need to understand what anxiety looks like in various youth populations and how to screen effectively. In this presentation, pediatric mental health specialists Allison Libby, PsyD, and Jeein Yoon, MD, describe types of anxiety disorders, explain the actual benefits of diagnosis and provide the evidence on treatment approaches. Included is a thorough explanation of cognitive behavioral therapy, including why “exposure therapy” is not as scary as it sounds, and guidelines on when to consider medication.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify and diagnose anxiety disorders in youth
• Explain cognitive and behavioral treatment strategies to youth and/or their parents to help address anxiety
• Identify medication options for treating anxiety in youth