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Early treatment of anxiety is crucial to prevent unnecessary obstacles during a child's formative years. Failure to adequately treat anxiety can result in loss of friendships, social and academic difficulties, feelings of low self-worth and anxiety in adulthood. Studies have shown that children with untreated anxiety disorders are also more likely to develop substance abuse problems.

Children diagnosed with anxiety disorders have a number of effective treatment options. In many cases, a combination of psychotherapy and medications may be the best treatment. In other cases, one form of therapy may be more beneficial than another. For example, certain phobias respond only to psychotherapy.

Antidepressant medications, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), have been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of anxiety in children. These drugs are usually effective in treating anxiety disorders, even in patients who are not depressed. Antidepressants sometimes take several weeks to become effective, so patients and their families should not become discouraged if they do not see immediate improvement. Many children who are prescribed antidepressants will continue treatment for about one year, and will require regular consultation with a physician to monitor their response.

Parents should be aware that a physician may need to adjust the dosage or change medications to achieve the best results with minimal side effects. In addition, the FDA has advised that antidepressants may increase the risk of suicidal thinking in some patients and all individuals being treated with these drugs should be monitored closely for unusual changes in behavior.

Anti-anxiety medications may also be prescribed, although they are less commonly used in children. Certain anti-anxiety medications, most notably the benzodiazepines, are generally prescribed only for short periods of time, because patients may become physically and psychologically dependent upon them. Patients with panic disorder may take the drug for as long as six months to a year.

Patients should not stop using antidepressant or anti-anxiety medications without physician supervision, because it may cause withdrawal symptoms or relapse of the condition.

Psychotherapy is particularly effective for anxiety disorders, such as social phobia and panic disorder. It is likely to take the form of behavioral therapy or cognitive therapy, or a combination of the two (cognitive behavioral therapy). In behavioral therapy, the patient learns to change specific actions and to use different techniques to stop certain behaviors. The patient may learn relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing, and may be gradually exposed to situations that are frightening and in which they can test new coping skills.

Cognitive therapy involves learning new skills to react differently to situations that typically trigger anxiety. Patients also learn about negative thought patterns that increase anxiety and ways to redirect such thinking.

Psychotherapy for children with anxiety disorders is likely to last around 12 weeks. It may be conducted one-on-one or in a group setting. Patients may also be treated for other psychological or physical conditions while they receive treatment for an anxiety disorder.

Researchers also believe that specialized training for parents of anxious children may help reduce anxiety in children. However, further research is necessary.