Medication for Childhood Anxiety

Question

Answer

There are definitely situations where medication can be helpful for children with anxiety.  We tend to see with studies is that when compared with therapy or these sorts of interventions, medication is slightly less effective than therapy alone.  The best case scenario for really anxious children might be medication and therapy together.  The reason for that is because we are asking children to do things that are really hard and complicated, and that puts them way outside their comfort zone.  Some children can do that.  Some children have the inner strength to be able to do that.  Some children are experiencing so much anxiety that they simply cannot purposely put themselves in uncomfortable situations, and medication can help keep them afloat as they put themselves in these uncomfortable situations.  It gives them the capacity to engage in some of these brave behaviors.

Aimee Kotrba is a clinical psychologist specializing in the psychological assessment and treatment of children, couples, and families. She also offers treatment to adults and adolescents.  Aimee is a nationally-known expert and speaker on the identification and treatment of anxiety disorders, and is active speaking in the community on a variety of psychological topics.