Anxiety disorders in children

The nature, development and treatment of anxiety disorders in children remains one of the most neglected areas of research in psychopathology. This paper reviews current approaches to diagnosis, conceptualization, assessment and treatment of the major childhood anxiety disorders: separation anxiety, overanxious and avoidant disorders, and simple phobias. While considerable knowledge of the learning mechanisms involved in phobias is available and has been translated into effective interventions, much else remains in the realm of speculation. High priorities for attention include the biological bases of anxiety and evaluation of medication for severe cases, the role of family variables, the long term outcome of childhood anxiety, and the validity of current diagnostic systems