Children and Teens With Separation Anxiety Disorder
Children and adolescents who suffer from separation anxiety disorder worry excessively about being away from their caregivers, parents or other important people in their lives. They might also worry about the possible negative effects of separation, for example, being lost or getting hurt.
Children suffering from separation anxiety can get treatment through psychotherapy and medications. The child is taught to approach the fearful situations slowly, and with confidence.
Signs and symptoms
Separation anxiety disorder is more severe than normal anxiety in the event of being separated from family members and primary caregivers. People with this condition fear that their family member could 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 scenarios that could separate them from their loved ones such as being kidnapped or having a an accident with a car.
This anxiety disorder can affect adults at any age. It's not known what causes adult separation anxiety however it could be caused by major life changes or previous mental health issues, like depression or PTSD. People with this condition may feel a lot dependent on children or romantic partners, and have poor boundaries. Some may view them as overly demanding and clingy.
This condition is characterized by excessive anxiety when a person is separated from family, significant distress while away from home or at work, and frequent dreams involving separation. These symptoms can make people avoid traveling or other activities that involve a physical separation from their families, like going to school. Children with this condition may have trouble sleeping or suffer from a range of physical problems like headaches or stomachaches, when they are worried about being left alone.
A healthcare provider 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 ask you about your family and other relationships to see how you have overcome separation anxiety in the past.
Talk therapy and, in certain instances, medication are used to treat this condition. Your therapist will teach you and your children how to deal with the fears. They can assist you and your child learn to manage separations in a step-by- procedure. The medication can relax the brain and body, as well as help ease your child's fears.
Diagnosis
A person suffering from separation anxiety will feel extreme distress when separated from family members or close friends. Contrary to the normal fears and anxieties that people generally suffer from, the symptoms of this disorder can be persistent, typically lasting more than four weeks in children, and up to up to six months for adults. They create major disruptions to daily activities and performance at work and school. It can also impact 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 diagnose the disorder. The healthcare provider will want determine when the symptoms began and what makes them more or less severe. A mental health professional will inquire about recent events and trauma history, depending on the age of the person.
The provider will also try to determine whether the phobia is a result of another medical condition that could cause similar symptoms, like an illness, like cancer or a neurological disorder like cerebral palsy or multiple-sclerosis. Other possible causes include family-related adversities that affect children, such as parental mental illness, substance misuse, child abuse, domestic violence and neglect, as well as exposure to traumatizing events like natural disasters and sexual assault, war or the loss of a loved one.
It can be difficult to diagnose separation anxiety disorder among adults, as there are no tests for it and the symptoms can be similar to the symptoms of other fears. A person who suffers from separation anxiety disorder in adulthood typically does so after experiencing an event that was traumatic or a major loss. Some studies suggest that people who were diagnosed with separation anxiety disorder in their childhood are more likely to be suffering from anxiety and depression later in life.
Several treatment options are available for those suffering from separation anxiety disorder. Therapy like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) as well as medications, such as selective serotonin receptor inhibitors and antidepressants, can assist people to overcome their fear. People with this disorder often benefit from parental education and techniques to improve their relationship with their children.
Treatment
Separation anxiety disorder may be diagnosed when the child's fear of being around strangers and clinginess continues throughout elementary school, is associated with physical symptoms and interferes in everyday functioning. According to BetterHelp, an online therapy service for children the disorder of separation anxiety affects up to 4%, with a median age of 7 years.
Your child's healthcare provider will conduct a thorough exam to identify any physical issues that could be causing anxiety. If no physical problems are discovered, your child's healthcare provider will refer them to a mental health professional with experience in anxiety disorders . For children it will likely be a child psychologist or psychiatrist.
Psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy, is often the first treatment option for separation anxiety disorder. The therapy therapist will assist your child to discover healthy ways to manage their feelings and increase self-confidence and independence, as well as build resilience. The therapist will also educate parents on how to assist their child and assist them cope with their anxiety. Separation anxiety disorder is often treated by medication, for example antidepressants like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).
Depending on your child's specific requirements, their therapy therapist will determine which options are appropriate for their specific needs. For instance, children suffering from severe anxiety may benefit from a combination of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and exposure therapy. This is when your child is exposed to situations that cause anxiety gradually over time, in small steps, until they feel comfortable with them.
Most often, children suffering from separation anxiety disorder will improve as they age, and their symptoms will decrease. However, some adults may continue to have symptoms of separation anxiety disorder 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 have co-occurring disorders like depression, phobias, and post-traumatic disorder.
Prevention
Separation anxiety is a common occurrence in many children. For some, separation anxiety can be a serious issue that can affect their lives and prevents participation in activities they enjoy. If your child's fears are disrupting their daily routine, talk to an expert in mental health.
Separation anxiety disorder is a condition where children suffer from extreme distress when they are away from their parents or other figures of attachment. They have persistent fears about being abducted, lost or experiencing an accident that could lead to the loss of those closest to them. They may have trouble falling asleep at night or refusing to go to school, play dates, or camp 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 professional may interview both the child as well as the parents separately to gather the complete picture. They may ask questions about anxiety disorders or life changes, such as family history and life events that could cause separation anxiety.
Treatment for anxiety disorder separation varies according to the age of the child and the severity of the symptoms. Children who are younger typically express their anxiety through specific concerns about harm to their loved ones, such as being worried that their parents could be injured in a car accident or be attacked by a burglar. Separation anxiety in older children is often ignored by them.
Behavioral therapy is a popular treatment for children suffering from separation anxiety. It involves teaching relaxation techniques to children and assisting them to understand and manage their anxiety. In some instances, a combination of treatments is employed, including medication and cognitive therapy.
It is crucial for adults to be consistent in their responses to children's anxiety about separation. Children need to be taught that their pleas for parents to not leave are not valid and they will only improve if they're provided with clear, definite boundaries and support as they work to overcome their fears.