Children and Teens With Separation Anxiety Disorder

Separation anxiety disorders affect children and adolescents who fret excessively when they are separated from their caregivers, parents or other significant people. They may also worry that separation could have negative consequences, like being hurt or lost.

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

Symptoms

While some anxiety about being away from loved ones is normal separation anxiety disorder can cause people more anxious than others when it comes to the separation from family members and primary caregiver figures. People suffering from this condition are worried that something bad will occur to their family member if they are separated, for example, being lost or getting sick. They may also fear other situations that can separate them from their loved ones such as being abducted or getting into a car accident.

This anxiety disorder can affect adults at any age. Adult separation anxiety isn't thought to be caused by any specific factor, but it may be caused by life changes or depression. It can also be caused by PTSD. People with this condition may be overly dependent on children or their romantic partners, and may lack boundaries. Others may perceive them as too clingy or demanding.

Symptoms of this condition include excessive distress when a person is cut off from their family, significant distress when they are away from home or work and recurrent nightmares involving separation. These symptoms can cause people to avoid travel or other activities that require physical separation from family members, like returning to school. Children with this condition may experience physical problems such as stomach pains when they worry about being on their own.

To determine the severity of this disorder, a healthcare provider will ask about your or your child's past and present symptoms. They will inquire about your family, and other relationships to determine how you've faced separation anxiety in the past.

Talk therapy and, in a few instances, medications are used to treat this disorder. Your therapist will instruct you and your children how to cope With anxiety disorder Without Medication to cope with the anxiety. They can also assist you approach situations that are feared through a step-by-step method that helps your child learn how to cope with separations and build up their confidence. The medication can relax the brain and body, as well as reduce your child's anxiety.

Diagnosis

Separation anxiety disorder can cause people to experience extreme distress if they are away from their home or close family members. In contrast to the normal anxiety and fear that many people suffer from these symptoms disorder are long-lasting, usually lasting for more than four weeks in children and up to six months in adults, and they create major disruptions to daily activities and performance at work and school. It can also impact the person's social life and ability to develop romantic relationships.

A mental health professional will interview and observe the patient's behavior in order to diagnose this disorder. The provider will want to determine when the symptoms began and what makes them worse or better. A mental health professional will inquire about recent events and the history of trauma dependent on the age of the patient.

The doctor will also try to determine whether the phobia is a result of another medical condition that could cause similar symptoms, for example an illness, such as cancer or a neurological issue like cerebral palsy or multiple-sclerosis. Other possible causes include family-related adversities that affect children, such as parental mental illness, substance abuse or domestic violence, child abuse and neglect, and exposure to traumatic events like natural catastrophes, sexual assault, war or the death of a loved one.

It is a challenge to identify separation anxiety disorder among adults, as there aren't any lab tests and the symptoms could be similar to other fears. Separation anxiety disorder is more common for adults who have had trauma or a significant loss. Certain studies suggest that those who suffer from separation disorders in childhood are more likely to develop anxiety and depression disorders later in life.

A variety of treatment options are available to those suffering from separation anxiety disorder. There are a variety of treatment options available to those suffering from. Treatment such as cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), and medications, like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and antidepressants, can assist people to overcome the phobia. Parents with this disorder can benefit from techniques and education to improve their relationship with their child.

Treatment

While many children experience a period that makes them terrified of strangers and clingy, when this anxiety persists throughout elementary school and beyond and is accompanied by physical symptoms, and causes problems with daily activities, it may be an indication of separation anxiety disorder. According to the BetterHelp online therapy service the disorder of separation anxiety is the most frequent anxiety disorder therapist near me disorder seen in children that affects up to 4 percent of them, with a onset age of 7 years old.

The healthcare provider for your child will perform a thorough exam to rule out any physical problems that could be causing anxiety. If no physical issues are discovered the healthcare provider of your child will refer them to a mental health professional with experience in treating anxiety disorders. For children who are ill, this could be a child psychologist or psychiatrist.

Psychotherapy (also known as talk therapy) is usually the first option for treating separation anxiety disorder. The therapy therapist will work with your child to help them develop healthy ways of managing their emotions, boosting self-confidence and independence, and developing resilience. The therapist will instruct parents on ways they can assist their child who is suffering from anxiety. Separation anxiety disorder is typically treated with medication, such as antidepressants, such as selective serotoninin receptor inhibitors (SSRIs).

The therapist will decide the best treatment plan for your child based upon their particular needs. For instance, children suffering from extreme anxiety may benefit from a combination of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and exposure therapy. This is when your child is exposed to situations that trigger their anxiety gradually over time, in small steps, until they are comfortable with them.

Typically, children suffering from separation anxiety disorder improve as they get older, and their symptoms will diminish. Some adults may still experience symptoms of separation disorder throughout their adult lives. This could make it difficult to maintain relationships or achieve certain career goals, such as returning to school or moving for work. Adults with separation anxiety disorder have a high percentage of co-occurring disorders, including other anxiety disorders depression, phobias and post-traumatic stress disorder, and a variety of substance use disorders.

The following is a list with preventions.

Separation anxiety is a common occurrence in many children. For others it can be an issue that causes problems with their lives and stops them from taking part in activities they enjoy. If your child's anxiety is disrupting their daily routines, talk to an expert in mental health.

Separation anxiety disorder is a disorder in which children experience severe distress when they are away from their parents or other attachment figures. They have persistent fears about being abducted, lost, or experiencing an accident that could lead to the loss of loved ones to them. They might be having a difficult time sleeping on their own at night, or they might refuse to go to school, camp, or play dates without their parents.

Doctors are not able to diagnose separation anxiety until the signs of a child have lasted at minimum four weeks. Often, the healthcare provider will interview the child and their parents separately to get an accurate picture of the situation. They might also inquire about other anxiety disorders or family history, as well as life events that could have caused or made the separation anxiety more severe.

Treatment for separation anxiety differs based on the age of the child and the severity of symptoms. Children who are younger typically express their anxiety through specific concerns about harm to their family members, such as a fear that their parents might be hurt in a car accident or be attacked by an intruder. By contrast, older children with separation anxiety often deny they are worried about leaving their home.

Behavioral therapy is a common treatment for children suffering from separation anxiety. It typically involves teaching children relaxation techniques and assisting them in learning to recognize and manage their anxieties. In some instances, a combination of therapies is used, including medication and cognitive therapy.

It is crucial for adults to be consistent in their responses to children's anxiety about separation. Kids need to know that their pleas to parents to not leave are not valid and they will only improve if provided with clear, definite boundaries and a helping hand as they try to overcome their fears.