Treatment of Anxiety and Depression in Adolescents and Young Adults With Cancer

Abstract

Adolescents and young adults (AYAs) with cancer are a unique population of patients who experience a period of intense and dramatic life changes when they are diagnosed. Overall, AYAs with cancer are resilient; however, their psychosocial needs are often underestimated or unmet. Currently, there are inconsistencies in how AYAs are screened and treated for anxiety and depression. Barriers to treatment include clinicians’ lack of confidence in distinguishing between side effects of treatment and depression/anxiety. Additional barriers include the black box warning for prescribing antidepressants and difficulty partnering with mental health professionals. This article seeks to provide recommendations for pediatric oncology clinicians on how to identify and address anxiety and depression in AYAs and how to partner with mental health professionals in their treatment, and it suggests directions for future research.