Clinical Considerations for an Evidence-Based Assessment of Anxiety Disorders in Children and Adolescents

Psychiatr Clin North Am. 2024 Dec;47(4):641-672. doi: 10.1016/j.psc.2024.04.010. Epub 2024 May 28.

Abstract

This article provides an overview of evidence-based assessment (EBA) of anxiety disorders in children and adolescents. First, this article provides an overview of using clinician-rated scales in the diagnostic process. Second, this article reviews the clinical utility of clinician-rated measures, and parent-report and youth-report measures to characterize anxiety severity and monitor treatment response in clinical practice. Additionally, rating scales that capture clinical constructs that are relevant in anxiety disorders-such as accommodation and avoidance behaviors-are succinctly reviewed. Finally, the article concludes with recommendations for conducting an EBA for anxiety disorders in children and adolescents.

Keywords: Clinical rating scales; Evidence-based assessments; Evidence-based treatment; Measurement-based assessment; Pediatric anxiety disorders.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Anxiety Disorders* / diagnosis
  • Child
  • Evidence-Based Medicine
  • Evidence-Based Practice
  • Humans
  • Psychiatric Status Rating Scales