Children and Teens With Separation Anxiety Disorder

Children and adolescents with separation anxiety disorder are anxious about being separated from their caregivers, parents or other significant people in their lives. They might also worry about a possible negative outcome of separation, like being lost or getting injured.

Children with separation anxiety disorders are treated through therapy and medication. Therapy involves teaching the child to manage fearful situations gradually with encouragement and support.

Symptoms

While some anxiety about being separated from loved ones is normal separation anxiety disorder causes people much more intensely anxious than others when it comes to the separation from family members and primary caregiver figures. People suffering from this condition are afraid that something bad will occur to their family member while they are separated, like losing their way or falling ill. They may also be fearful of other circumstances that could cause separation from their loved ones, including being abducted or having an accident in a vehicle.

This anxiety disorder can affect adults at any age. It isn’t known what causes separation anxiety in adults however, it could be caused by major life changes or by prior mental health issues like depression or PTSD. The people who suffer from this condition can feel overly dependent on their children or their romantic partners and exhibit poor boundaries. Some may view them as overly demanding and clingy.

This condition is characterized by extreme distress when someone is separated from their family, significant stress when away from home or at work, and frequent dreams of separation. These symptoms can cause people to avoid travel or other activities that entail physical separation from their families, such as going to school. Children who suffer from this condition might have physical issues, like stomach pains if they worry about being on their own.

A healthcare professional will inquire with you about your past and current symptoms or the symptoms of your child to determine the cause of separation anxiety. They will also inquire about your family and other relationships, to see how you’ve dealt with separation anxiety before.

Treatment for this disorder can include therapy for talk and, in some instances medications. Your therapist will instruct you and your children how to cope with the anxiety. They can also assist you approach situations that are feared in a step-by-step process that can help your child understand how to deal with separations and build their confidence. The medications can calm the brain and body, as well as help ease your child’s fears.

Diagnosis

Separation anxiety disorder causes a person to feel extreme stress when they are away from their home or close relatives. In contrast to the normal anxiety and fear that most people experience the symptoms of this disorder are long-lasting, usually lasting for more than four weeks in children, and up to more than six months in adults. They can cause significant disruption to daily life and function at school and work. The condition can also hinder with a person’s ability to establish romantic relationships and socialize.

To diagnose this disorder A mental health professional will interview the patient and observe their behavior. The doctor will inquire about when symptoms began and what triggers the symptoms to become worse or better. Depending on the person’s age the mental health professional will also inquire about any recent events that may have caused stress and any past trauma.

The provider will also determine whether there is a medical condition that may cause similar symptoms. panic anxiety disorder could be due to an illness like cancer or an underlying neurological disorder, such as multiple sclerosis or cerebral palsy. Other possible causes are childhood family adversities such as mental illness, addiction to drugs, child abuse, domestic violence and neglect, and experiences with trauma like natural catastrophes, sexual assault, war, or the death of loved ones.

The diagnosis of separation anxiety disorder in adults is more difficult, as there are no lab tests for the condition and it can share many symptoms with other anxiety disorders. Separation anxiety disorder is more common among adults who have suffered an emotional trauma or a major loss. Some studies indicate that people diagnosed with separation disorder in childhood may be more likely to develop anxiety and depression disorders as adults.

Several treatment options are available to those suffering from separation anxiety disorder. There are a variety of treatment options available to those suffering from. People suffering from separation anxiety disorder can overcome their phobia through therapy, including cognitive behavioral treatment (CBT) or prescription medications like selective serotonin antagonists and antidepressants. Parents with this disorder can benefit from techniques and training to improve their relationship with their child.

Treatment

Although many children experience a period when they become terrified of strangers and clingy If this fear persists through the elementary years and beyond and is manifested as physical symptoms and affects daily functioning it could be a sign of separation anxiety disorder. In fact, according to the BetterHelp online therapy service, separation anxiety disorder is the most common anxiety disorder that is diagnosed in children, affecting up to 4 percent of them, with a onset age of around 7 years.

Your child’s doctor will conduct a thorough examination to rule out physical ailments that could cause anxiety. If no physical problems are identified, your child’s healthcare provider will refer them to an expert in mental health who has experience in treating anxiety disorders. For children it will likely be a child psychologist or psychiatrist.

Psychotherapy (also known as talk therapy) is usually the first treatment for separation anxiety disorder. The Therapist will help your child discover healthy ways to manage their emotions, increase self-confidence, independence, and build resilience. The therapist will also train parents on how they can support their child and help them deal with their anxiety. Medication, including antidepressants such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are typically prescribed along with psychotherapy for separation anxiety disorder.

Depending on your child’s specific needs, their counselor will determine what treatment options are appropriate for the child. For instance, children who suffer from extreme anxiety may benefit from a combination of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and exposure therapy. This is the process of gradually exposing your child to the situations that trigger anxiety in small steps until they become comfortable.

As children grow older their symptoms typically decrease. However, some adults may suffer from symptoms of separation disorder throughout their adult lives. This can make it difficult to maintain relationships or to pursue certain career goals, like going back to college or relocating for work. Adults suffering from separation disorder are more likely to suffer from co-occurring disorders, such as depression, phobias, and post-traumatic disorder.

Prevention

Separation anxiety is a common occurrence in many children. For others it can turn into an issue that causes problems with their lives and prevents them from taking part in activities they enjoy. If your child’s worries are disrupting their routine discuss it with an expert in mental health.

Children suffering from separation anxiety disorder suffer extreme stress when they are separated from their parents or other important attachment figures. They are constantly worried about being kidnapped or lost, or that an accident will cause them to lose the people closest to them. They might also have a hard time sleeping at night on their own, or they might refuse to go to school, camp or play dates without their parents.

A child’s separation anxiety symptoms should last for at least four weeks before a physician can diagnose the condition. The healthcare provider can interview both the child and the parents individually to obtain the complete picture. They may also ask questions regarding other anxiety disorders or life changes, such as family history or life events that might cause separation anxiety.

Treatment for separation anxiety disorder varies depending on the age of the child, and the severity of symptoms. Children express their anxiety through worrying about their attachment figures. For example they might be worried that their parents might be involved in a car accident or harmed by burglars. Separation anxiety in older children is usually denied by them.

Children who suffer from separation anxiety are often treated with behavioral therapy. It usually involves teaching children relaxation techniques and teaching them to recognize and control their fears. In some instances the combination of treatments is employed, such as medication and cognitive therapy.

Adults must be consistent in their responses to children who are experiencing anxiety over separation. Kids need to know that their pleas for parents not to leave aren’t valid, and they will only get better if they’re provided with clear, definite boundaries and a lot of support while they work to overcome their fears.