Keremeos Review Reports:
Quick Summary
The Canadian Paediatric Society has new advice for clinicians on how to assess and manage anxiety in children and adolescents as the pandemic escalates concerns over mental health.
While mental health was an increasing problem before the pandemic, it heightened pressures on children. Medical professionals should have clear advice on how to differentiate between an age-appropriate response to stress and something more serious.
Key Points
- People are generally aware that the treatments for anxiety are medications and therapy.
- Fears during childhood and adolescence are part of normal development.
- Symptoms of anxiety disorders go well beyond typical behaviour and can include persistent, disproportionate, or distorted responses that hinder everyday life.
The article states:
Notably, the CPS does not recommend screening for anxiety if a child or youth doesn’t show signs or symptoms. Klein says there’s a “big downside” to general screening if it finds false positives and further strains the health-care system’s already limited capacity to assess and treat more severe cases.