Get serious about childhood anxiety disorders. (Surveys Show 10%-15% Prevalence).

ALBUQUERQUE--In a given classroom of 30 children, typically 3-5 have an anxiety disorder.

Large surveys indicate 10%-15% of children in various communities meet formal diagnostic criteria for an anxiety disorder, making this the most common class of pediatric psychiatric disorders, John C. Piacentini, Ph.D., said at a psychiatric symposium sponsored by the University of New Mexico.

Childhood anxiety disorders often go unrecognized and untreated because of a widespread misperception that they're innocuous and the child will grow out of them. In fact, these very common disorders are often associated with significant impairment. Indeed, one comparative study …