Original Title: Symptômes et troubles anxieux chez les jeunes âgés de 12 à 17 ans : repérage, démarche évaluative et diagnostique, traitements, transition de soins et services

Authors' objectives: Anxiety disorders are characterized by excessive fear and anxiety that cause significant distress or impairment in a person's functioning. They encompass a variety of disorders that differ from one another in terms of the object that induces fear or anxiety, avoidance behavior and associated thoughts. They are among the most common mental health disorders among teenagers in Canada. An anxiety disorder left untreated during adolescence can persist and contribute to other difficulties. To support physicians, professionals, and primary care practitioners, INESSS has developed a clinical tool on best practices for managing symptoms of anxiety or of an anxiety disorder in teenagers aged 12 to 17. This work complements other existing tools to provide services tailored to the needs of teenagers, their family, and their support network.

Authors' results and conclusions: RESULTS (#1 PRINCIPLES GUIDING CARE AND SERVICES) : The recovery process for teenagers aims to improve their well-being and help them return to a satisfactory level of functioning in the various areas of their life. To this end, practitioners should be guided by certain principles when providing care and services to teenagers, namely: access to interventions tailored to the teen's diverse needs, collaboration between the various partners involved with the teenager to provide integrated services, involvement of the family or support network whenever possible, rapid and tailored management of symptoms and anxiety disorders, shared decisionmaking with the teen and their relatives regarding treatment choices, and finally, the development of a therapeutic relationship with the teen. (#2 IDENTIFICATION) : The purpose of the identification process is to detect the presence of anxiety symptoms or risk factors for an unidentified disorder. It should be initiated when a teenager exhibits signs of anxiety, symptoms associated with an anxiety disorder or is experiencing a situation that is likely to trigger them. Knowledge of the symptoms associated with anxiety, risk factors, protective factors, and maintenance factors enables practitioners to optimize this process. At this stage, treatment can be initiated with the teenager, or referral for further assessment can be considered. (#3 ASSESSMENT AND DIAGNOSTIC PROCESSES) : The diagnostic process aims to determine whether or not the teenager has an anxiety disorder. When such a process is necessary, it should be done according to the criteria of a recognized classification such as the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5-TR). The presence of another mental disorder or other condition that may explain the symptoms of anxiety should be investigated. The presence of comorbidities should also be considered. (#4 TREATMENTS) : It should be noted that the information presented in the pharmacotherapy tool is based on a cursory review of the literature and is intended to provide key messages for nonprescribing practitioners. For complete information, refer to the clinical tool on the pharmacological treatment of anxiety disorders in teens aged 12 to 17 (in progress – link to be provided). In addition, depending on the teenager's situation, a consultation or referral to specific primary or specialized care and services may be required. (#5 TRANSITIONS IN CARE AND SERVICES) : A teenager experiencing symptoms or an anxiety disorder may undergo various transitions in care and services, such as a transfer from youth services to adult services. This tool outlines best practices for implementing measures to ensure effective coordination and continuity of care and services to provide the smoothest possible transitions. CONCLUSION : Anxiety symptoms and anxiety disorders in teenagers cause difficulties in various areas of their life and can persist or worsen if left unmanaged. The management of anxiety symptoms or disorders should be tailored to the teenager’s needs their relatives’, through shared decision-making.

Authors' methods: A rapid review of the literature presenting information and good clinical practices on the identification, assessment and diagnostic processes, treatment, follow-up, and transitions in care and services for teenagers with anxiety symptoms or disorder was conducted in accordance with INESSS guidelines. A total of 38 documents from the scientific and grey literature were selected to answer the evaluation questions. During the project, an advisory committee was formed to support the team, and various stakeholders were also consulted. These collaborations made it possible to gather additional contextual and experiential data, as well as perspectives on the relevance, acceptability, and feasibility of the findings from the work.

Project Status: Completed

Year Published: 2026

URL for published report: https://www.inesss.qc.ca/fileadmin/doc/INESSS/Rapports/ServicesSociaux/Symptomes_troubles_anxieux_GN_INESSS.pdf

English language abstract: An English language summary is available

Publication Type: Other

Country: Canada

Province: Quebec

Organisation Name: Institut national d'excellence en sante et en services sociaux

Contact Address: L'Institut national d'excellence en sante et en services sociaux (INESSS) , 2021, avenue Union, bureau 10.083, Montreal, Quebec, Canada, H3A 2S9;Tel: 1+514-873-2563, Fax: 1+514-873-1369

Contact Name: demande@inesss.qc.ca

Contact Email: demande@inesss.qc.ca

Copyright: L'Institut national d'excellence en sante et en services sociaux (INESSS)