Kids who are treated for anxiety are more likely to be symptom-free six years later, a new study says.
Does treatment for anxious kids work long term?
A new study published in the journal, JAMA Psychiatry, found that children who responded to treatment while in the midst of a pediatric anxiety disorder were more likely to be symptom-free six years later.
Golda S. Ginsburg, of The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, and her colleagues studied the long-term outcomes of 288 patients, ages 11 to 26, who had been diagnosed with a pediatric anxiety disorder. The youths had one of four randomized treatment methods: cognitive behavioral therapy, the medication sertraline, a combination of both, or a placebo.
Nearly half were in remission an average six years following treatment. Youths who initially responded to treatment were more likely to be in remission, or to have less severe anxiety symptoms and were higher functioning.
Boys were more likely to be in remission, as were children who were raised in families with clear rules, more trust and higher quality interactions.
Almost half the study participants relapsed, reseachers found, suggesting the need for more intensive or continued treatment for anxious children.
The research was funded by the National Institute of Mental Health.
- Kim Mulford