Despite restricting the sample in regard to
age and time since diagnosis, there was still heterogeneity in these variables and other treatment - related variables (e.g., intensity
of treatment), and sibling social
functioning may
vary as a
function of these variables
as well
as gender (Gerhardt et al., 2012).
Anxiety disorders are among the most common mental disorders during childhood and adolescence, with a prevalence
of 3 — 5 % in school -
age children (6 — 12 years) and 10 — 19 % in adolescents (13 — 18 years); 1, 2 and the prevalence
of anxiety disorders in this population tends to increase over time.3 Anxiety is the most common psychological symptom reported by children and adolescents; however, presentation
varies with
age as younger patients often report undifferentiated anxiety symptoms, for example, muscle tension, headache, stomachache or angry outbursts.4 According to the standard diagnostic systems, there are various types
of anxiety disorders, for example, generalised anxiety disorder (GAD), social phobias (SOP), social anxiety disorder (SAD), panic disorder (PD), overanxious disorder, separation anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), obsessive - compulsive disorder (OCD).5 Anxiety disorders in children and adolescents often occur with a number
of comorbidities, such
as autism spectrum disorders, 6 depressive disorders, 7 conduct disorder, 8 substance abuse9 or suicide - related behaviour.10 Youths with anxiety disorders experience serious impairment in social
functioning (eg, poor school achievement; relational problems with family members and peers).11, 12 Childhood and adolescent anxiety disorders can persist despite treatment, 1 and they are associated with later adult psychopathology.13, 14