Prevention of anxiety disorders

Anxiety disorders are very common and burdensome conditions with early onsets. Thus, there has recently been increasing interest in preventing these illnesses. In this article we review recent prevention studies targeting populations at varying levels of risk and conclude that prevention using cognitive-behavioural interventions is promising, though establishing longer-term effects and the cost-effectiveness of such interventions are important next steps for the field. We discuss conceptual and practical issues with regard to prevention of anxiety disorders and note that theory-based models of prevention which are based on identified risk and protective factors, address the optimal timing of intervention delivery, and articulate specific mechanisms of action are greatly needed.