Children and Teens With Separation Anxiety Disorder

Children and adolescents who suffer from separation anxiety disorder have a tendency to worry about being separated from their caregivers, parents or other important people in their lives. They may also worry about the negative consequences of separation, for example, being lost or getting injured.

Children with separation anxiety disorder can get treatment through psychotherapy and medications. Therapy involves teaching the child to approach feared situations gradually by providing reassurance and encouragement.

Signs and symptoms

Separation anxiety disorder is more severe than normal anxiety in relation to being separated from family members and primary caregivers. People suffering from this disorder fear that their family member could suffer a tragic event when they are separated. This could include getting lost or falling ill. They might also be worried about other situations that can separate them from their loved ones, for example, being kidnapped or getting into a car accident.

This anxiety disorder can affect adults at any age. It's unclear what causes adult separation anxiety however it could be triggered by major life changes or by previous mental health issues, such as depression or PTSD. People who suffer from this disorder may feel too dependent on their children or romantic partners and display a lack of boundaries. Others may perceive them as being too demanding or clingy.

The signs of this disorder include excessive distress when a person is cut off from their family members, severe distress when they're away from work or home and recurrent nightmares involving separation. These symptoms can cause people to avoid traveling or engaging in other activities that involve a physical separation from family members, like going back to school. Children with this condition may have difficulty sleeping or suffer from a range of physical issues like stomach pains or headaches, in the event of anxiety about being left alone.

To diagnose this disorder the healthcare professional will inquire about your your child's previous and current symptoms. They will inquire about your family and other relationships to determine how you've dealt with separation anxiety before.

Talk therapy and, in certain instances, medication are utilized to treat this disorder. Your therapist will show you and your children how to cope with the fear. They can help you and your child understand how to handle separations in a step-by- steps. Medicines can help to relax the brain and relax the body, which can help ease the anxiety of your child.

Diagnosis

Separation anxiety disorder causes a person to feel extreme stress when they are away from their home or close family members. The symptoms of separation anxiety disorder can be more severe than normal anxiety and fear. They can last for up to six months in adults and up to four weeks in children. They can cause major disruptions to daily life as well as school and work. The condition can also interfere with the ability of a person to form romantic relationships and socialize.


To determine if this disorder is present, a mental health professional will interview the patient and observe his or her behavior. The provider will ask when symptoms started and what triggers them to get worse or improve. A mental health professional will inquire about recent events and the history of trauma dependent on the age of the patient.

The provider will also try to determine whether the fear is a result of another medical condition that could cause similar symptoms, like an illness, such as cancer or a neurological issue such as multiple sclerosis or cerebral palsy. Other possible causes include familial adversities in childhood like parental mental illness, addiction to drugs, child abuse, domestic violence and neglect, as well as exposure to traumatic events like natural catastrophes or sexual assault, war or the loss of a loved one.

Diagnosis of separation anxiety disorder in adults is more difficult since there aren't any lab tests for the condition, and it may share a number of symptoms with other phobias. Separation anxiety disorder is more common in adults who have experienced trauma or a significant loss. Some studies indicate that people diagnosed with separation disorder in childhood may be more likely to develop depression and anxiety disorders as adults.

Separation anxiety disorder can be treated in many ways. Treatment such as cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) and medications, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors as well as antidepressants, can help people overcome the phobia. People with this disorder often benefit from parental education and techniques to improve their relationship with their children.

Treatment

Separation anxiety disorder can be diagnosed when a child's fear of strangers and clinginess is persistent throughout elementary school, is accompanied with physical symptoms, and affects daily activities. According to BetterHelp, an online therapy service for children the disorder of separation anxiety affects up to 4% and has a median age of 7 years.

The healthcare provider for your child will conduct a thorough exam to determine if there are any physical issues that could be causing anxiety. If panic anxiety disorder are discovered the healthcare professional for your child will refer them to an expert in anxiety disorders. This will likely be a child psychiatrist or psychologist.

Psychotherapy (also known as talk therapy) is often the first treatment for separation anxiety disorder. The therapist will assist your child to help them learn healthy ways of managing their emotions, boosting confidence and independence, as well as building resilience. The therapist will educate parents on ways they can assist their child who is suffering from anxiety. The use of medication, like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are often prescribed in addition to psychotherapy for separation anxiety disorder.

Based on the specific needs of your child's needs, their therapist will determine which treatment options are best for the child. Children with severe anxiety, like might benefit from a mix of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) as well as exposure therapy. This is the process of gradually exposing your child to the situations that trigger anxiety over time in small steps until they become comfortable.

Often, children with separation anxiety disorder will improve as they age and their symptoms decrease. However, some adults might still suffer from symptoms of separation anxiety throughout their adult lives. This could make it difficult to maintain relationships or pursue certain career goals, like returning to college or relocating to work. Adults with separation anxiety disorder have a high percentage of co-occurring disorders, including other types of anxiety disorders such as depression, phobias and post-traumatic stress disorder, and a variety of addiction disorders.

Prevention

Separation anxiety is a common occurrence in many children. For some, separation anxiety is a serious problem that interferes in their lives and prevents them from participating in the activities they enjoy. Talk to a mental health professional if your child's anxiety is affecting their daily routine.

Children suffering from separation anxiety experience extreme distress when separated from their parents or other important relationships. They are constantly concerned about being kidnapped or lost or that an accident will cause them to lose the people closest to themselves. They might also have trouble falling asleep alone at night or they may refuse to go to camp, school, or play dates without their parents.

A child's separation anxiety symptoms should last for at least four weeks before a doctor will diagnose the problem. The healthcare provider may interview both the child as well as the parents separately to obtain the complete picture. They may also ask questions about other anxiety disorders or changes in life such as family history or life events that could have triggered the separation anxiety.

Treatment for anxiety disorder separation varies depending on the age of the child and the severity of the symptoms. Children express anxiety by worrying about their attachment figures. For instance, they may worry that their parents are involved in a car accident or attacked by burglars. Separation anxiety in older children is frequently dismissed by them.

Behavioral therapy is a popular treatment for children with separation anxiety. It involves teaching relaxation techniques to children and assisting them to understand and manage their anxiety. In some cases there is a mix of treatments, such as cognitive therapy, is employed.

It is crucial for adults to be consistent in their responses to children's anxiety about separation. Children need to understand that their parents' pleas not to let them go are not valid. They can only grow if they receive clear, unambiguous boundaries and help in overcoming their fears.