Abstract

One of the most prevalent and debilitating set of mental disorders among children and adolescents is anxiety disorders. Common anxiety and anxiety-related disorders among youths include separation anxiety disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, specific phobia, school refusal behavior, selective mutism, and mixed anxiety-depressive symptoms. Less common anxiety disorders among youths include panic, obsessive-compulsive, and posttraumatic stress disorders. The symptoms and prevalence of these disorders have been described in great detail elsewhere and are not a critical part of this chapter (see Morris & March, 2004; Ollendick & March, 2004). However, assessment measures that are pertinent to specific disorders are covered here. In addition, some general characteristics regarding anxiety that affect assessment are described next.