Anxiety Disorders in Young Children: Phenomenology, Identification, and Diagnosis

Anxiety disorders, including separation anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and specific phobia, are common but under-diagnosed in children younger than six years old. If untreated, these disorders are risk factors for psychological disorders in middle childhood and adolescence, so early identification and intervention is paramount. Assessing anxiety disorders in early childhood involves distinguishing anxiety symptoms from temperamental characteristics, and it is best done with a multimethod assessment approach that includes behavioral observation, interviews, and parent report questionnaires. Recommendations include using social-emotional screeners that cover a broad range of difficulties to detect children who have elevated anxiety, and more detailed assessments to assess severity of specific conditions. A diagnostic interview, necessary for a formal diagnosis, should assess the frequency and duration of the symptoms, as well as the amount of distress and impairment associated with the condition. These practices allow providers to connect parents with evidence-based interventions. [ Psychiatr Ann . 2025;55(4):e80–e85.]