by David Wright
Anxiety is common in children and adolescents, but it does not always appear by itself. A National Center for Health Statistics Data Brief released in August 2026 examined U.S. health-center visits by youth ages 8–18 with a diagnosed anxiety disorder using 2024 National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey Health Center data.
Among those visits, 50.3% also included documentation of at least one selected co-occurring mental-health or behavioral diagnosis: depression, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), behavioral disorders, or obsessive-compulsive disorder. The report describes visits, not prevalence in all U.S. youth, so the numbers should not be generalized beyond the population and setting studied.
Age patterns matter
Among visits for youth ages 8–12 with anxiety, ADHD was more commonly documented than among adolescents, while depression was much more commonly documented in visits for ages 13–18. These differences do not mean age determines diagnosis; they support developmentally informed assessment.
Why a comprehensive assessment can help
Overlapping symptoms can complicate the picture. Trouble concentrating can occur with anxiety, ADHD, sleep loss, depression, stress, medication effects, or other medical and developmental factors. A careful evaluation considers onset, duration, severity, developmental stage, school and home functioning, sleep, family context, safety concerns, and the possibility of more than one condition.
What parents and caregivers can watch for
Persistent worry, avoidance, panic-like episodes, repeated reassurance-seeking, unexplained physical complaints, disrupted sleep, school refusal, social withdrawal, falling grades, loss of interest, marked irritability, impulsivity, or changes in functioning deserve attention when persistent or impairing.
The practical message
The CDC report supports a simple clinical principle: when anxiety is significant, look beyond anxiety alone. Co-occurring conditions can shape risk, treatment choices, school supports, family strategies, and follow-up. The goal is not to collect labels; it is to understand the young person well enough to match care to the actual pattern of symptoms and functioning.
Sources
Next step: If a child or adolescent is struggling with persistent anxiety, mood changes, attention problems, behavioral concerns, sleep disruption, or declining functioning, consider a comprehensive evaluation with a qualified health professional. Schedule a consultation with AHMHW.
Educational information only; not a substitute for individualized medical, mental-health, or emergency care.
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