Understanding Anxiety in Children and Teens
This 2018 Children’s Mental Health Report looks at how widespread these disorders are, how they develop, and the risks of untreated anxiety.
AT A GLANCE
Regular anxiety becomes a disorder when young people have out-of-proportion responses to things most of us cope with easily.
- In the past 10 years, there has been increasing recognition of anxiety in young people by health care providers, including a 17% increase in anxiety disorder diagnosis.
- Yet anxiety symptoms are minimized or ignored. As little as 1% of youth with anxiety seek treatment in the year symptoms begin.
- At some point, anxiety affects 30% of children and adolescents, yet 80% never get help.
- Untreated anxiety disorders are linked to depression, school failure and a two-fold increase in risk for substance use disorder.
- Untreated anxiety disorders are linked to depression, school failure and a two-fold increase in risk for substance use disorder.
FROM OUR PARTNERS
- Read the companion blog from the National Association of School Psychologists.
- Read the companion blog from Common Sense Media.
RESOURCES
Anxiety basics
- Our anxiety disorders resource page
- Tips for Managing Social Anxiety
- How Anxiety Leads to Disruptive Behavior
Anxiety disorder treatment
- Behavioral Treatment for Kids With Anxiety
- Best Medications for Kids With Anxiety
- The Anxiety Disorders Center at the Child Mind Institute
Risks and co-occurring disorders
- How Using Social Media Affects Teenagers
- Mood Disorders and Teenage Girls
- The Mood Disorders Center at the Child Mind Institute
