Efficacy of newer antidepressants for childhood anxiety disorders

Anxiety disorders as a whole are the most common psychiatric disorders in children and adolescents, with a reported prevalence ranging from 6 to 18%. Childhood anxiety disorders predict adult disorders and the majority of adult anxiety disorders are antedated by childhood anxiety. Furthermore, social dysfunction may result from misdiagnosis of these early-onset disorders. Anxiety disorders can be managed using nonpharmacological and pharmacological options, or a combination of them. Different classes of medications have been used in pediatric anxiety disorders, including benzodiazepines, tricyclics and buspirone. Newer antidepressants (SSRIs and beyond) have fewer side effects, lower toxicity in overdose and a broader range of indications. This review will focus on the efficacy of these new drugs in the management of anxiety disorders in children and adolescents (obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic disorder, separation anxiety disorder/school refusal, generalized anxiety disorder, social phobia, post-traumatic stress disorder).