children s health issues
Overview of Anxiety Disorders in Children and Adolescents
Treatment
Behavioral therapy Sometimes medications If anxiety is mild, Behavioral therapy alone is usually all that is needed. One form of therapy that is often effective is called cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT is a short-term, structured form of talk therapy designed to help people identify and then challenge negative thought patterns so that they can deal with difficult situations more effectively. Another approach is called exposure therapy. Therapists expose children to the situation that triggers anxiety and help the children remain in the situation and feel comfortable. Thus, children gradually become desensitized and feel less anxiety. When appropriate, treating anxiety in parents at the same time often helps. If anxiety is severe, medications may be used. A type of antidepressant called a Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) (SSRI), such as If drug treatment is needed only for a short time (for example, because a child is very anxious before a medical procedure), benzodiazepines, a type of sedative, are usually used. 