Behavior therapy of children and adolescents with anxiety disorders

Research into anxiety disorders of children and adolescents have been neglected for a long time. Current work on the prevalence and on the course of anxiety disorders of children and adolescents impressively substantiates that (1) anxiety disturbances are the most frequent mental disorders of children and adolescents and, (2) represent important factors of risk for the development of anxiety disorders, depression and substance dependence/abuse in adulthood. The recent developments in behavior therapy on anxiety disorders with children and adolescents are presented first and the results of a meta-analysis of behavior therapy studies are summarized. The results of the meta-analysis show that anxiety disorders can be treated successfully in children and adolescents with behavior therapy. The follow up data show that therapy successes remain stable over a timespan of several years. In comparison of individual and group therapy as well as child and family-based therapy, there are no important differences with regard to therapy success.