Comorbidity of anxiety and depression in youth: treatment implications

J Consult Clin Psychol. 1992 Dec;60(6):869-880. doi: 10.1037/0022-006X.60.6.869.

Abstract

Reviews the empirical literature on the comorbidity of anxiety and depressive disorders in youth, emphasizing prevalence of comorbidity, difficulties in assessment and measurement, familial factors, and developmental differences. The nature of anxiety and of depression in youth is examined (e.g., differentiating cognitive deficiencies from cognitive distortions), and treatment recommendations are presented from a cognitive-behavioral framework. Components of the treatment include affective education, enactive programming, addressing reinforcement difficulties, correcting cognitive distortions, and enhancing problem-solving skills. Peer and familial factors are discussed. Successful treatment of co-morbid children relies on a flexible application of these strategies with consideration of the developmental level and particular symptom constellation of the individual child.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Anti-Anxiety Agents / therapeutic use
  • Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic / therapeutic use
  • Anxiety Disorders / epidemiology
  • Anxiety Disorders / psychology
  • Anxiety Disorders / therapy*
  • Benzodiazepines
  • Child
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Comorbidity
  • Depressive Disorder / epidemiology
  • Depressive Disorder / psychology
  • Depressive Disorder / therapy*
  • Humans
  • Personality Development

Substances

  • Anti-Anxiety Agents
  • Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic
  • Benzodiazepines