Children and Teens With Separation Anxiety Disorder

Separation anxiety disorders affect children and adolescents who worry excessively when they are separated from their parents, caregivers or other significant people. They might also be worried about a possible negative outcome of separation, such as getting lost or hurt.

Children with separation anxiety disorders can be treated with psychotherapy and medication. The child is taught to tackle difficult situations slowly, with confidence.

Symptoms

While some anxiety about being apart from loved ones is normal, separation anxiety disorder makes people more anxious than other people when it comes to separating from family members and primary caregiver figures. People suffering from this condition are worried that something tragic will occur to their family member while they are separated, such as being lost or getting sick. They might also be worried about other situations that can separate them from their loved ones, like being kidnapped or being involved in a car accident.

The first signs of this anxiety disorder typically occurs in the early years of childhood, but adults can be affected at any time. Adult separation anxiety is not known to be caused by anything specific, but it may be caused by life changes such as depression, depression, or PTSD. The sufferers of this disorder might feel a lot dependent on their children or romantic partners, and lack boundaries. Some may see them as being too demanding or clingy.

This condition is characterized by extreme distress when one is cut off from family, significant distress when away from home or working, and recurring dreams of separation. These symptoms can make people avoid traveling or engaging in other activities that require physical separation from family members, for example, going back to school. Children who suffer from this condition may have trouble sleeping or suffer from a range of physical problems including headaches or stomachaches, when they worry about being on their own.

A healthcare professional will inquire with you about your past and current symptoms, or those of your child in order to determine the cause of separation anxiety. They will also inquire about your family and other relationships to find out how you have faced separation anxiety in the past.

Treatment for this disorder consists of talking therapy and, in some instances medications. Your therapist will teach you and your children how to cope with the anxiety. They can help you and your child to learn how to deal with separations in a step-by- steps. The use of medication can help calm the mind and relax the body, which can ease your child’s anxiety.

Diagnosis

A person suffering from separation anxiety disorder will feel extreme distress when they are away from their the home or close family members. Unlike normal fear and worry that many people feel, the symptoms of this disorder are long-lasting, usually lasting for more than four weeks for children, and up to six months or longer in adults, and they can cause significant disruption to the daily routine and functioning at school and work. It can also affect a person’s socialization and ability to establish romantic relationships.

A mental health professional will interview and observe the patient’s behavior in order to determine the cause of the disorder. The provider will want to know when the symptoms started and what causes them to become worse or better. A mental health professional will ask about recent events and the history of trauma dependent on the age of the patient.

The provider will also try to determine whether the phobia is the result of a different medical condition that may cause similar symptoms, for example an illness, like cancer or a neurological disorder, such as cerebral palsy or multiple sclerosis. Other causes include family adversities such as mental illness of the parents and domestic violence, substance abuse and child neglect and abuse.

It can be difficult to diagnose separation anxiety disorder in adults because there are no lab tests and the symptoms may be similar to those of other anxiety disorders. A person who develops separation anxiety disorder in adulthood typically does so after experiencing trauma or a significant loss. Certain studies suggest that those diagnosed with separation disorder in childhood may be more likely to develop depression and anxiety disorders later in life.

Separation anxiety disorder can be treated in a variety of ways. Treatment like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) as well as medications, like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors as well as antidepressants, can help overcome their fears. Parents who suffer from this disorder can benefit from strategies and education to improve their relationship with their child.

Treatment

Separation anxiety disorder is diagnosed when a child’s fear of strangers and clinginess persists throughout elementary school, and is accompanied with physical symptoms, and affects everyday functioning. According to the BetterHelp online therapy service, separation anxiety disorder is the most prevalent anxiety disorder seen in children with up to 4 percent of them with an age at onset of about 7 years.

The doctor who treats your child will conduct a thorough examination to rule out physical ailments that could be causing anxiety. If no physical problems are found the healthcare provider of your child will refer them to a mental health professional who has experience in anxiety disorders. For children it will likely be a child psychologist or psychiatrist.

Psychotherapy, also referred to as talk therapy, is often the first option of treatment for separation anxiety disorder. The therapist will help your child learn how to manage their feelings and increase self-confidence and independence, and build resilience. The therapist will instruct parents on how they can aid their child suffering from anxiety. Medication, including antidepressants like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are typically used in conjunction with psychotherapy for separation anxiety disorder.

Based on the specific needs of your child’s needs, the counselor will determine what treatment options are most appropriate for their specific needs. Children who suffer from extreme anxiety, for instance could benefit from a mix of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and exposure therapy. This involves gradually expose your child to situations that trigger 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 challenging to maintain relationships or to pursue certain career goals such as returning to school or moving to work. Adults suffering from separation disorder are more likely to suffer from co-occurring disorders, such as depression, phobias and post-traumatic disorder.

The following is a list of preventions.

Separation anxiety is a common occurrence in many children. For others it can be a serious problem that interferes with their lives and stops them from engaging in activities they enjoy. If your child’s fears are disrupting their routine consult a mental health professional.

Separation anxiety disorder is a disorder in which children suffer from extreme anxiety when they are separated from their parents or other attachment figures. They are constantly concerned about being snatched away or lost or that an accident will result in the loss of those closest to them. They might be having a difficult time sleeping at night on their own or refusing to go to camps, school, or play dates without their parents.

The signs of separation anxiety in children must last for at least 4 weeks before a doctor will diagnose the problem. The healthcare provider can interview both the child and the parents in a separate session to gather the complete picture. They might ask questions about anxiety disorders or changes in life like family history and life events that could have triggered the separation anxiety.

Treatment for separation anxiety differs based on the child’s age and the severity of the symptoms. Children express their anxiety through worrying about their attachment figures. For instance they might worry that their parents might be in a car crash or attacked by burglars. panic anxiety disorder in older children is usually ignored by them.

Children who have anxiety about separation are often treated with behavioral therapy. It typically involves teaching children relaxation techniques and assisting them in learning to recognize and control their fears. In some cases the combination of therapies is used, including cognitive therapy and medication.

It’s important for adults to be consistent in their responses to children’s anxiety about separation. Children must be taught that their pleas to parents to stay home aren’t valid, and they will only improve if they’re provided with clear, definite boundaries and a lot of support while they work to overcome their fears.