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Anxiety in medically ill children/adolescents.
1Office of the Clinical Director, National Institutes of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA. paom@mail.nih.gov
Depression and Anxiety
|August 20, 2010
Summary
Anxiety disorders are common in youth with chronic medical conditions, often stemming from illness, pain, or psychological factors. Early identification and treatment of these anxiety disorders are crucial for improving both mental and physical health outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Psychology
- Child Psychiatry
- Medical Illness Comorbidity
Background:
- Anxiety disorders are highly prevalent in children and adolescents, particularly those with chronic medical conditions.
- Chronic illness in youth significantly increases the risk for developing anxiety disorders compared to healthy peers.
- Anxiety can arise from biological factors, the stress of illness and hospitalization, genetic predispositions, and psychological factors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current treatments for anxiety disorders in pediatric patients with chronic medical illnesses.
- To highlight the significant impact of anxiety on both psychiatric and physical symptoms in this population.
- To propose future research directions for managing anxiety in medically ill youth.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of existing research on anxiety disorders in children and adolescents with chronic medical conditions.
- Analysis of the contributing factors to anxiety development in this population, including biological, environmental, and psychological elements.
- Examination of the consequences of untreated anxiety, such as medical nonadherence and comorbidities.
Main Results:
- Youth with chronic medical illnesses exhibit higher rates of anxiety disorders than healthy children.
- Painful medical procedures and early life pain experiences are linked to increased fear and anxiety.
- Anxiety disorders can negatively impact physical symptoms and treatment adherence in pediatric patients.
Conclusions:
- Effective identification and treatment of anxiety disorders are essential for medically ill children and adolescents.
- Treatment approaches include cognitive-behavioral therapies and psychotropic medications.
- Further research is needed to optimize anxiety management strategies in this vulnerable population.
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