Combined Psychological and Pharmacological Treatment of Pediatric Anxiety Disorders

Abstract

Despite few efficacy studies of combined treatment, data from naturalistic settings suggest that a high proportion of children with anxiety problems access a combination of psychotherapeutic and pharmacological interventions (Bernstein, Hektner, Borchardt, & McMillan, 2001). Moreover, clinical practice guidelines endorse a combined treatment approach as a treatment strategy (AACAP, 1998, 2007), but provide only tenuous guidance as to whom this approach might benefit, the degree of benefit to be expected, and other relevant issues. Assumedly, the availability of a combined approach is proliferating as the number of evidence-based mono-therapies grows, treatment protocols become published, and practitioners become trained or increasingly skilled in treatment methods. Evidently, the interest in a combined treatment approach, coupled with the lack of understanding about the utility or applicability of this treatment strategy, suggest that this is a salient and topical subject matter that would benefit from a detailed consideration. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved) (Source: chapter)