Child Psychology and Psychiatry

AETIOLOGY
Temperament
Longitudinal studies suggest that anxiety dis-
orders tend not to arise de novo but build on
pre-existing
temperamental
traits.
Examples
include: behavioural inhibition (showing fear
and withdrawal in unfamiliar situations and high
sympathetic reactivity), passivity, shyness and an
anxious-resistant attachment style.
Genetics
Family and twin studies show that genetic factors
play a significant role. These disorders tend to run
in families but with little specificity, except for
panic disorder.
Table 27.2
Epidemiological characteristics of anxiety disorders in children and adolescents.