The role of benzodiazepines in anxiety disorders in children

The role of benzodiazepines for anxiety disorders in children is different to that in adults and young people, because there is a limited evidence base. Because of the harms associated with benzodiazepines, their use should be restricted to specialists with experience in prescribing benzodiazepines to children. Short-term use of a benzodiazepine may be considered in the management of acute severe anxiety that significantly impairs functioning, in which the child is too anxious to engage in any other treatments.