Separation Anxiety and Panic Disorders in Children

Anxiety disorders are some of the most commonly diagnosed psychiatric concerns in children and adolescents (Beesdo et al., Psychiatr Clin North Am 32:483–524, 2009; Connolly and Bernstein, J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatr 46:267–283, 2007; Ehrenreich et al., Psicol Conduct 16:389–412, 2008). At the same time, clinicians working with youth must distinguish clinical concerns from developmentally normative, time-limited anxieties. Beesdo and colleagues defined anxiety as pathological “when it interferes with functioning” and becomes “frequent, severe, and persistent” (2009, p. 484). Anxiety disorders in youth are associated with additional comorbid conditions in adulthood, and consequently the early identification and treatment of these disorders are crucial. This chapter will provide an overview of two common anxiety diagnoses: separation anxiety disorder (SAD) and panic disorder (PD). The literature regarding a link between SAD and PD will also be synthesized.