ARTICLES
A Prospective Study of Childhood Anxiety Disorders

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ABSTRACT

Objective

To evaluate course and outcome of DSM-III-R anxiety disorders prospectively in clinically referred children.

Method

Children were blindly and repeatedly assessed with a structured diagnostic interview over a 3- to 4-year period to determine recovery from anxiety disorder and development of new psychiatric disorders. Both psychopathological (attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, n = 50) and never psychiatrically ill (NPI, n = 83) controls served as comparison groups for children with anxiety disorders (n = 84).

Results

The majority of children (82%) were free from their intake anxiety disorders by the end of the follow-up. Relapse of these anxiety disorders after remission was rare (8%). During follow-up, anxious children were more likely to develop new psychiatric disorders (30%), primarily new anxiety disorders (16%), than were NPI children (11% and 2%, respectively), but not psychopathological controls (42% and 10%, respectively).

Conclusions

Overall, results suggest a favorable outcome with respect to diagnostic status for clinically referred children with anxiety disorders. However, these children may be at risk for new psychiatric disorders over time.

Key Words

anxiety disorders
children
prospective study
DSM-III-R.

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This study was supported by NIMH grant MH 40021.