Issue 1/2024
E. Ivanova
University Hospital „Alexandrovska“, Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University – Sofia
Anxiety disorders are relatively common in children and adolescents, as they worsen overall functioning, have a negative effect on school learning and communication with peers. Early manifestations of anxiety may resolve as a child grows older, but for some children and adolescents, anxiety disorders may persist in subsequent years. Early adverse life events have an impact on the development of anxiety disorders.
It is recommended that therapeutic interventions be multimodal, as well as involving family members, teachers and professionals. Conducting a psychotraining program for family members, as well as using cognitive behavioral approaches in patients with anxiety disorders, gives good results and is a means of choice. It is recommended that family interventions are aimed precisely at creating boundaries and stimulating independent functioning.
The child psychiatrist according to the degree of manifestation of symptoms, the presence of severe social dysfunction and the individual needs of the child / adolescent to achieve control over the symptomatology may prescribe antidepressant therapy.
Key words: anxiety disorders, clinical manifestations, cognitive-behavioral approaches and antidepressants.
Address for correspondence:
Ivanova, E.
“Alexandrovska“ Children‘s Psychiatry Hospital
1, Sv. Georgi Sofiisky, Blvd.
e-mail: helen_aivan@abv.bg