Panic disorder in clinically referred children and adolescents.

The present study examined the frequency and characteristics of panic disorder in children and adolescents who had been referred to a pediatric psychopharmacology clinic. Of the 280 children and adolescents evaluated in this clinic, 35 were diagnosed with panic disorder using a semi-structured clinical interview (K-SADS) and other objective measures. Approximately half of the youngsters with panic disorder also met criteria for the diagnosis of agoraphobia. There was extensive comorbidity between panic disorder and other internalizing and externalizing disorders. Parents reported clinically significant levels of child symptomatology on the CBCL. Teacher-and child-reported symptomatology on the CBCL was within the normal range. At the same time, it was notable that no child had been referred specifically for evaluation or treatment of panic disorder or agoraphobia. Implications for clinical assessment/identification and treatment are discussed.