Anxiety Disorders among Adolescents referred to General Psychiatry for Multiple Causes: Clinical Presentation, Prevalence, and Comorbidity

Authors

  • Susanne Olofsdotter Uppsala University http://orcid.org/0000-0002-8114-8386
  • Sofia Vadlin Uppsala University
  • Karin Sonnby Uppsala University
  • Tomas Furmark Uppsala University
  • Kent W Nilsson Uppsala University

Keywords:

anxiety disorders, adolescents, prevalence, comorbidity, child and adolescent psychiatry

Abstract

Background: Reports of anxiety disorder characteristics among youth in clinical settings typically include descriptions of patients who have been specifically referred for anxiety treatment. At odds with a large body of evidence which demonstrates these disorders to be most common among young people, prevalence studies in samples referred to general psychiatry for multiple causes are scarce and report highly discrepant estimates. Methods: For this study and regardless of their presenting symptoms, 125 adolescents (57.6% girls) between the ages of 12 and 18 years who were consecutively referred to two child and adolescent general psychiatry clinics in Sweden were assessed for anxiety disorders and comorbidity using the Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia for School-Age Children. Self-ratings of anxiety symptoms and difficulties with family, school, friends, sleep, and body aches were also obtained. Results: At least one anxiety disorder was found in 46% of participants. Among anxious adolescents, homotypic comorbidity (concurrent anxiety) was observed in 43%, and heterotypic comorbidity (concurrent non-anxiety psychiatric disorders) was observed in 91%. No comorbidity was observed in 5%. Trauma, ache, and difficulties making friends were more common among anxious adolescents as compared with psychiatrically referred adolescents without anxiety. Conclusions: The finding that only 21% of adolescents diagnosed with anxiety disorders were referred for anxiety further supports the routine use of standardized and structured instruments—irrespective of referral cause—to improve both precision and detection rates in the clinical setting. Comprehensive assessments are of utmost importance to fully address the complexity of the symptoms in this patient group.

Author Biographies

Susanne Olofsdotter, Uppsala University

Centre for Clinical Research,  Västmanland County Hospital, Västerås , Sweden

Msc Psych, PhD student

Sofia Vadlin, Uppsala University

Centre for Clinical Research,  Västmanland County Hospital, Västerås , Sweden

PhD student

Karin Sonnby, Uppsala University

Centre for Clinical Research,  Västmanland County Hospital, Västerås , Sweden,

M.D., PhD

Tomas Furmark, Uppsala University

Department of psychology, Professor

Kent W Nilsson, Uppsala University

Centre for Clinical Research,  Västmanland County Hospital, Västerås , Sweden

Professor

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Published

2016-03-21

How to Cite

Olofsdotter, S., Vadlin, S., Sonnby, K., Furmark, T., & Nilsson, K. W. (2016). Anxiety Disorders among Adolescents referred to General Psychiatry for Multiple Causes: Clinical Presentation, Prevalence, and Comorbidity. Scandinavian Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychology, 4(2), 55–64. Retrieved from https://tidsskrift.dk/sjcapp/article/view/22187

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Articles