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 parents, caregivers or other important people in their lives. They might also be concerned that being separated could have negative consequences, such as being hurt or lost.

Children with separation anxiety disorder are treated through psychotherapy and medication. The child is taught to tackle feared situations slowly, with confidence.

Symptoms

Separation anxiety disorder is more intense than normal anxiety in the event of being separated from family 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 becoming sick. They may also be fearful of other scenarios that could make them separated from their loved ones such as being kidnapped or having a a car accident.

The first signs of this anxiety disorder usually occurs in childhood, though adults can be affected at any time. Adult separation anxiety isn't believed to be caused by a specific cause, but it may be caused by life changes, depression, or PTSD. People with this condition may be overly dependent on their children or romantic partners, and may lack boundaries. generalized anxiety disorder may perceive them as being too demanding or clingy.

The signs of this disorder include excessive distress when a person is separated from their family, severe anxiety when they are away from their home or at work 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 returning to school. Children with this condition may have trouble sleeping or experience a variety of physical problems including headaches or stomachaches, in the event of anxiety about being alone.

A healthcare provider will ask you about your previous and current symptoms or those of your child in order to diagnose separation anxiety. They will also ask you about your family and other relationships to find out how you've dealt with separation anxiety in the past.

Treatment for this disorder consists of talk therapy and, in certain cases medication. Your therapist will show you and your children how to cope with the anxiety. They can help you and your child learn to manage separations through a step by step process. The medication can relax the brain, relax the body and reduce your child's anxiety.

Diagnosis

A person suffering from separation anxiety disorder will experience extreme stress when they are away from their family members or close friends. The symptoms of separation anxiety disorder are more persistent than normal anxiety and fear. They can last up to six months in adults and up to four weeks in children. They cause significant disruptions in the daily routine at school, work, and home. The condition can also cause problems with the ability of a person to establish romantic relationships and socialize.

A mental health professional will interview and examine the patient's behavior to determine the cause of the disorder. The provider will ask when symptoms started and what causes them to worsen or improve. Depending on the individual's age, a mental health professional will also inquire about recent events that could be causing stress, as well as any past trauma.

The provider will also determine whether there is another medical condition that may cause similar symptoms. This could be due to an illness like cancer or an underlying neurological disorder, such as multiple sclerosis or cerebral palsy. Other causes include childhood family problems like mental illness of the parents, substance abuse, domestic violence and neglect and abuse of children.

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 phobias. Someone who develops a separation anxiety disorder in their adulthood typically does so after experiencing a traumatic event or significant loss. There are studies that suggest that those who have been diagnosed with separation anxiety disorder in their childhood are more likely to be suffering from depression and anxiety disorders later in life.

Separation anxiety disorder can be treated in a variety of ways. Individuals suffering from separation anxiety can overcome their phobia through therapy, such a cognitive behavioral treatment (CBT) or prescription medications like selective serotonin antagonists and antidepressants. Parents suffering from this disorder can benefit from strategies and training to improve their relationship with their child.

Treatment

While many children go through a phase where they are clingy and fearful of strangers When this fear persists throughout elementary school and beyond, is accompanied by physical symptoms, and affects daily functioning it could be an indication of separation anxiety disorder. According to BetterHelp an online therapy service for children, separation anxiety disorder is a problem that affects as many as 4% of children and has a median age of 7 years old.

Your child's healthcare provider will perform a thorough exam to determine if there are any physical issues that could be causing anxiety. If no physical ailments are discovered then the healthcare provider for your child will refer them to an anxiety disorder specialist. For children, this will most likely be a psychiatrist or child psychologist.

Psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy, is often the first option of treatment for separation anxiety disorder. The therapist will work with your child to teach them healthy ways to manage their emotions, boosting self-confidence and independence, and building resilience. The therapist will also train parents on how they can assist their child and assist them deal with their anxiety. The use of medication, like selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are often used in conjunction with psychotherapy for separation anxiety disorder.

The therapist will decide the best treatment plan for your child based on their specific needs. Children with severe anxiety, like could benefit from a combination of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and exposure therapy. This involves exposing your child to situations that cause anxiety gradually by introducing them in small increments until they are comfortable with them.

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

Prevention

For many kids, separation anxiety is an inevitable part of the development process. However, for some it can be an issue that is serious and can interfere with their lives and prevents them from engaging in activities they enjoy. Talk to a mental health specialist if your child's fear is affecting their daily life.

Children suffering from separation anxiety disorder experience extreme distress when separated from their parents or other important relationships. They are constantly worried about being snatched away, missing, or experiencing an accident that could result in the loss of those closest to them. They may have trouble falling asleep at night or refuse to go to play dates, school or camp without parents.

The symptoms of separation anxiety in children should last for at least four weeks before a doctor can diagnose the problem. Most often, the healthcare professional will interview the child and their parents in a separate interview to get an entire picture of the situation. They might also inquire about other anxiety disorders or family history as well as changes in life that may have caused or made separation anxiety worse.


Treatment for anxiety disorder separation varies depending on the child's age and the severity of the symptoms. Children express anxiety by worrying about their attachment figures. For example they might be worried that their parents are in a car crash or be attacked by a burglar. Separation anxiety in older children is usually ignored by them.

Behavioral therapy is a typical treatment for children suffering from separation anxiety. It typically involves teaching children relaxation techniques and teaching them to recognize and control their fears. In some instances it is necessary to combine therapies is used, including medication and cognitive therapy.

Adults must be consistent in their responses to children experiencing separation anxiety. Children must be taught that their pleas to parents not to let them go are not valid. They will only be able to improve if they receive clear, unambiguous boundaries and assistance in conquering their fears.