Abstract
Childhood anxiety disorders are traditionally treated with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Other anxiolytics, including benzodiazepines, antihistamines, and buspirone are also used to treat anxiety and sleep disorders in youth. Controlled studies of these anxiolytics in youth are limited. Benzodiazepines may be effective in the short‐term treatment of panic disorder, separation anxiety disorder and school phobia, and in obsessive‐compulsive disorder (OCD) as an adjunct to SSRIs. They may also be beneficial in treatment of anticipatory anxiety, short‐term treatment of insomnia, night terrors, and sleepwalking. Buspirone is used in the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder in youth, and may be beneficial in treatment of OCD and social phobia. Antihistamines have been used in the treatment of nonspecific anxiety symptoms, anticipatory and situational anxiety in youth, and induce rapid, mild sedation for the treatment of insomnia. More controlled trials in the use of anxiolytics in youth with anxiety and sleep disorders are needed.