Treatment for anxiety disorders in children

Anxiety in children can be treated with behavioural therapy, medication, or a combination of both.

Cognitive behavioural therapy

CBT is a type of talk therapy that helps children learn to manage worry, fear, and anxiety. It has been scientifically proven to be effective in treating anxiety disorders. Children learn skills to tolerate anxiety rather than avoiding things that trigger it, and the anxiety gradually diminishes.

Medication

Medication might be recommended when a child isn’t making progress with talk therapy alone, or if the anxiety is severely affecting eating and sleeping. The most common medications used for treating anxiety in children are antidepressants. These include serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs).