Anxiety Disorders in Childhood

Anxiety disorders represent the most common form of psychopathology in children, with lifetime prevalence rates estimated at 15-20% (Beesdo, Knappe, & Pine, 2009). Anxiety disorders can significantly interfere with children’s functioning in school and in interpersonal relationships (Ezpeleta, Keeler, Erklani, Costello, & Angold, 2001), yet often go unrecognized by parents, primary care physicians, and school personnel.