An influential group of experts recommend for the first time that all children ages 8 to 18 be screened for anxiety, one of the most common mental health disorders of childhood.
A draft of the new guidelines will most likely be finalized later this year. It was issued by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, a panel of volunteer experts who are appointed by a federal government agency.
The task force has no regulatory authority, but their recommendations carry weight with clinicians.
Stephen P. H. Whiteside is not on the task force but he said that screening more children for anxiety is important.
He said that may be true of those with anxiety.
Kids with behavioral problems are more likely to be identified as needing help, but if they aren't causing problems at school or at home, they could easily slip through the cracks.
The problems children have been experiencing have been worsened by the Pandemic.
The U.S. task force recommends screening for anxiety regardless of whether a clinician has been looped into any signs or symptoms.
It is critical to be able to intervene before a life is disrupted, according to Martha Kubik, a member of the task force.
According to a report from the Child Mind Institute, a nonprofit that provides therapy and other services to children and families with mental health and learning disorders, childhood anxiety disorders have been linked to an increased risk for later depression, anxiety, behavior problems and substance abuse.
There is not enough evidence to recommend against screening children younger than 8 for anxiety, according to the task force. The panel of experts still recommend depression screenings for children.
There are several different surveys and questionnaires that can be used to screen for anxiety in primary care.
Some of the screening tools are good at picking up anxiety in young people, while others are not.
Children would ideally be screened during their annual well child checkup, but clinicians should also be open to opportunities to screen during other visits.
The experts said that if a screener indicates that a child needs additional support, it's not a diagnosis, but a starting point for a larger conversation.
The first-line treatment for children and adolescents is psycho therapy, according to a doctor. If the anxiety is hurting a child's ability to function as normal or if therapy alone has not been effective, medication may be needed.
The experts said that finding a mental health provider isn't necessarily a quick or easy task, but screening is more important.
As more youths in need of help are identified, it starts to put pressure on many of the decision makers and people who hold the purse strings.
The U.S. task force's processes are separate from those of other organizations.
Dr. Weitzman said that the A.A.P. is developing more tools and resources for screening for anxiety.
The task force stressed the need for more research, but said there was not enough evidence to recommend automatic screening for suicide risk in children and adolescents who are not at high risk.
The A.A.P. recommends that children 12 and older be screened for suicide risk. The second leading cause of death for children is suicide.
A lot of kids will keep suicidal thoughts to themselves and won't bring up the topic unless they are asked.
More than 7 percent of children ages 3 to 17 have been diagnosed with anxiety, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Many kids with anxiety may not be diagnosed. A national survey found that about 30% of adolescents meet the criteria for an anxiety disorder.
The study found that between 2016 and 2020 there was a significant increase in the number of children diagnosed with anxiety and depression.
If you are concerned that your child may be struggling with anxiety, the experts recommend that you speak with your child's doctor, who may be able to help distinguish between typical anxiety and the type indicative of an emerging problem or disorder.
The experts said that some degree of anxiety is normal, and that it can help keep us safe. Some children are more prone to worrying than others, and there may be periods in our lives when anxiety might become stronger.
A child with persistent anxiety can be indicative of an anxiety disorder. The experts are on the lookout for signs that show a change in behavior.
Eating too much or too little.
Sleeping more or less often.
Falling grades.
The relationship changes.
Irritability.
Anger.
Sensitivity to criticism.
There is a loss of interest in activities.
There are physical symptoms like headaches or stomachaches.
Resistance to going to school or sleeping alone is a problem.
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