Children and Teens With Separation Anxiety Disorder

Separation anxiety disorders affect children and adolescents who worry overly when they are away from their parents, caregivers or other significant people. They might also be concerned that being separated could have negative consequences, such as being lost or hurt.

Psychotherapy and medication can be used to treat children suffering from separation anxiety disorder. Therapy focuses on teaching children to approach feared situations gradually, with reassurance and support.

Signs and symptoms

Separation anxiety disorder is more intense than normal anxiety in relation to being separated from family members and primary caregivers. People with this condition fear that their family member will be the victim of a tragic event if they are separated. This could mean getting lost or falling ill. They might also be afraid of other situations that can separate them from their loved ones such as being abducted or being involved in an accident.

This anxiety disorder can be experienced by adults at any age. It’s not known what causes separation anxiety in adults however, it could be caused by significant life changes or prior mental health issues such as depression or PTSD. The people who suffer from this condition may be overly dependent on their spouses or children and have trouble establishing boundaries. Others may view them as being too demanding or clingy.

This condition is characterized by extreme distress when one is cut off from their family, significant stress while away from home or at work, and recurrent dreams of separation. These symptoms can cause people avoid traveling or engaging in other activities that involve a physical separation from family members, such as returning to school. Children suffering from this condition could suffer physical issues like stomach pains when they are worried about being left alone.

A healthcare professional will ask you about your current and past symptoms or the symptoms of your child to determine if you suffer from separation anxiety. They will also inquire about your family and other relationships to see how you have overcome separation anxiety in the past.

Treatment for this disorder can include talk therapy and, in some instances, medication. panic anxiety disorder can teach you and your child ways to cope with their fears. They can also help you to approach feared situations in a step-by-step process that can help your child understand how to handle separations and build their confidence. Medications can help to calm the brain and relax the body, which can ease your child’s anxiety.

Diagnosis

Separation anxiety disorder can cause people to experience extreme anxiety when they are away from their home or relatives. In contrast to the normal anxiety and fear that many people experience, the symptoms of this disorder can be persistent, typically lasting for more than four weeks in children and up to six months in adults, and they can cause significant disruption to daily life and function at school and work. The condition can also interfere with a person’s ability create romantic relationships and socialize.

To diagnose this disorder, a mental health professional will interview the patient and observe his or her behavior. The doctor will want to be aware of the time when symptoms began and what triggers them to be worse or better. Depending on the individual’s age the mental health professional might also inquire about recent events that might be causing stress, as well as any previous trauma history.

The provider will also determine whether there is a medical condition that may cause similar symptoms. This could be a condition such as cancer or a neurological disorder like multiple sclerosis or cerebral palsy. Other causes include family problems like parental mental illnesses and domestic violence, substance abuse and child neglect and abuse.

It can be difficult to diagnose separation anxiety disorder in adults, as there aren’t any lab tests and the symptoms can be similar to other phobias. Anyone who develops a separation anxiety disorder in adulthood usually experiences it after trauma or a significant loss. Some studies suggest that people who have been diagnosed with separation anxiety disorder as children are more likely to be suffering from depression and anxiety disorders in adulthood.

Separation anxiety disorder can be treated in many ways. Individuals suffering from separation anxiety can overcome their phobia through therapy, such a cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or prescription medications like selective serotonin receptor antagonists and antidepressants. Parents who suffer from this disorder can benefit from methods and training to strengthen their relationship with their child.

Treatment

Many children go through a stage when they become clingy and fearful of strangers If this fear persists throughout elementary school and beyond and is associated with physical symptoms, and interferes with daily functioning, it may be an indication of separation anxiety disorder. According to the BetterHelp online therapy service, separation anxiety disorder is the most common anxiety disorder diagnosed in kids with up to 4 percent of them with an age at onset of around 7 years.

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

Psychotherapy (also called talk therapy) is usually the first treatment for separation anxiety disorder. The Therapist will help your child discover healthy ways to manage their emotions to increase self-confidence, confidence and independence, and build resilience. The therapist will also educate parents on how to assist their child and assist them cope with their anxiety. The use of medication, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are typically used in conjunction with psychotherapy for separation anxiety disorder.

The therapist will determine the best treatment option for your child based on their individual needs. Children who suffer from severe anxiety, for example might benefit from a mix of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and exposure therapy. This is the process of gradually expose your child to situations that cause anxiety in small steps until they feel comfortable.

As children get older their symptoms tend to decrease. However, some adults may still suffer from symptoms of separation anxiety throughout their adult lives. It can be difficult to maintain relationships or to pursue certain career goals, such as returning to college or going to work. Adults who suffer from separation disorder are more likely to suffer from co-occurring disorders, such as depression, phobias, or post-traumatic disorder.

The following is a list of preventatives.

For many kids with separation anxiety, it’s an expected part of developing. However, for some it can turn into a serious problem that interferes with their lives and stops them from participating in activities they enjoy. Speak to a mental healthcare specialist if your child’s fear is affecting their daily life.

Children suffering from separation anxiety disorder suffer extreme anxiety when they are separated from their parents or other significant attachment figures. They have persistent fears about being lost, kidnapped or experiencing an accident that could lead to the loss of people who are close to them. They may struggle to fall asleep at night or refusing to go to play dates, school or camp without parents.

Doctors are not able to diagnose separation anxiety until the signs of a child last at minimum four weeks. The healthcare provider can interview both the child and parents individually to gather the complete picture. They may inquire about anxiety disorders that are not related to separation anxiety or family history, as well as life changes that might have triggered or made the separation anxiety more severe.

Treatment for anxiety disorder separation varies depending on the child’s age and the severity of the symptoms. Children who are younger tend to express their anxiety by expressing specific fears about harm to their family members, such as a fear that their parents will get in a car accident or be attacked by a burglar. However older children with separation anxiety usually deny that they are worried about leaving the house.

Children who suffer from separation anxiety are often treated using behavioral therapy. It typically involves teaching children relaxation techniques and assisting them in learning to recognize and control their anxieties. In some cases there is a mix of therapies, including cognitive therapy, is utilized.

Adults should be consistent with their responses to children experiencing separation anxiety. Children need to understand that their parents’ pleas not to leave them not valid. They will only be able to improve by receiving clear, firm boundaries, and help in overcoming their fears.