Anxiety Disorders

Diagnosis

Anxiety disorders often occur along with other mental health problems — such as depression or substance abuse — which can make diagnosis and treatment more challenging. Mayo Clinic's compassionate experts listen patiently to thoroughly understand your needs, health issues and experience with anxiety to identify your specific disorder and to create a treatment plan.

Children and teens

Mayo Clinic's Pediatric Anxiety Disorders Clinic includes a comprehensive, one-day assessment clinic for children and teens with heightened anxiety, fears, nervousness and worry. Clinic staff thoroughly evaluate your child, providing diagnosis and treatment recommendations in a timely manner. During the evaluation, the care team conducts an interview that focuses on identifying anxious thoughts, physical sensations and behaviors.

In cases where anxiety is caused by or occurs with a medical illness, a doctor also performs a physical exam during the initial evaluation. A child and adolescent psychologist and psychiatrist who specialize in anxiety disorders staff the clinic. This staffing allows for an integrated medical and psychological understanding of your child's symptoms.

Read more about the diagnosis of anxiety.