Children and Teens With Separation Anxiety Disorder

Children and adolescents suffering from separation anxiety disorder have a tendency to worry about being apart from their caregivers, parents or other significant people in their lives. They may also worry that separation could have negative consequences, for example, getting hurt or lost.

Psychotherapy and medication are a great option to treat children suffering from separation anxiety disorders. Therapy includes teaching the child to approach feared situations gradually, with reassurance and support.

Symptoms

Separation anxiety disorder is more severe than normal anxiety in the event of being separated from family and primary caregivers. People suffering from this disorder fear that their loved ones will be the victim of a tragic event if they are separated. This could include getting lost or becoming sick. They may also fear other situations that could keep them from their loved ones such as being abducted or getting into a car accident.

This anxiety disorder can be experienced by adults at any age. It's not known what causes adult separation anxiety however it could be triggered by major life changes or previous mental health disorders, such as depression or PTSD. People suffering from this disorder may feel overly dependent on their children or their romantic partners, and may lack boundaries. Others can view them as overly demanding and clingy.

This condition is marked by a high level of distress when one is cut off from family, significant distress when away from home or at work, and frequent thoughts of separation. These symptoms can cause people to avoid traveling or engaging in other activities that require physical separation from family members, like going back to school. Children who suffer from this condition might suffer physical issues such as stomach pains when they are worried about being on their own.

A healthcare professional will ask you about your previous and current symptoms, or the symptoms of your child to determine the cause of separation anxiety. They will ask you about your family and other relationships to determine how you've been able to manage separation anxiety before.

Treatment for this disorder includes talking therapy and, in certain cases medication. Your therapist will instruct you and your children how to deal with the anxiety. They can also assist you deal with situations that scare you in a step-by-step process that helps your child learn how to deal with separations and build up their confidence. Medicines can help to relax the brain and relax the body which can ease your child's anxiety.

Diagnosis

A person suffering from separation anxiety will experience extreme stress when apart from family members or close friends. The symptoms of separation anxiety are more persistent than normal anxiety and fear. They can last up to six months for adults and four weeks in children. They cause significant disruptions in the daily routine at school, work, and home. It can also affect the person's social life and ability to develop romantic relationships.

To determine the cause of this disorder, a mental health professional will interview the patient and observe the patient's behavior. The healthcare provider will want determine when the symptoms began and what triggers them to be worse or better. A mental health professional will ask about recent events and history of trauma, depending on the age of the patient.

The doctor will also determine if there is another medical condition that could cause similar symptoms. This could be due to an illness like cancer or an underlying neurological disorder, such as cerebral palsy or multiple sclerosis. Other possible causes are familial adversities in childhood such as mental illness, substance misuse or child abuse, domestic violence and neglect, as well as exposure to traumatizing events such as natural catastrophes, sexual assault, war or the death of loved ones.

It is a challenge to identify separation anxiety disorder in adults, as there aren't any lab tests and the symptoms can be similar to the symptoms of other phobias. Separation anxiety disorder is more frequent in adults who have experienced trauma or a significant loss. There are studies that suggest that those who have been diagnosed with separation anxiety disorder in childhood are more likely to be suffering from anxiety and depression as they age.

Separation anxiety disorder can be treated in many ways. Treatment, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and medications, like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and antidepressants, can help people overcome their fear. Parents with this disorder can benefit from methods and education to strengthen their relationship with their child.

Treatment

While many children go through a stage when they become anxious and clingy to strangers If this fear persists into elementary school and beyond and is accompanied by physical symptoms, and affects daily functioning, it may be a sign of separation anxiety disorder. According to BetterHelp an online therapy service for children the disorder of separation anxiety affects up to 4%, with an average age of 7 years.

Your child's doctor will perform an extensive exam to rule out physical problems that could cause anxiety. If no physical issues are identified the healthcare provider of your child will refer them to a mental health professional with expertise in anxiety disorders. It could be a child psychiatrist or psychologist.

Psychotherapy, also referred to as talk therapy, is usually the first treatment option for separation anxiety disorder. The therapist will help your child learn healthy ways to manage their feelings and increase self-confidence and independence, as well as build resilience. The therapist will also educate parents on ways to help their child with anxiety. Separation anxiety disorder is usually treated with medication, such as antidepressants, such as selective serotoninin receptor inhibitors (SSRIs).

The therapist will decide the best med for generalized anxiety disorder treatment plan for your child based upon their particular needs. Children with extreme anxiety, for instance, may benefit from a combination of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and exposure therapy. This involves exposing your child to situations that trigger their anxiety gradually over time by introducing them in small increments until they are comfortable with them.

As children grow older their symptoms tend to decrease. However, some adults might be suffering from separation anxiety throughout their adult lives. This makes it difficult for them to keep relationships or pursue certain career goals, such as returning to college or relocating to work. Adults suffering from separation disorder are more likely to have co-occurring disorders like depression, phobias, and post-traumatic disorder.

The following is a list of preventatives.

For many children who are anxious about separation, it is an inevitable part of the development process. For others, separation anxiety can be a serious issue that affects their lives and hinders their participation in activities they enjoy. Speak to a mental healthcare professional if your child's fear is affecting their daily life.

Children suffering from separation anxiety suffer extreme anxiety when they are separated from their parents or other significant attachment figures. They are always worried about being snatched away or lost or that an accident might result in the loss of those closest to themselves. They might have difficulty falling asleep at night or refusing to go to school, play dates or camp without their parents.

A child's separation anxiety symptoms must last for at least 4 weeks before a doctor will diagnose the condition. Most often, the healthcare professional will interview the child and their parents separately to obtain an accurate picture of the situation. They might ask questions about other anxiety disorders or life changes such as family history or life events that may cause separation anxiety.

Treatment for anxiety disorder separation varies depending on the child's age and the severity of the symptoms. Children who are younger usually express their anxiety through specific worries about harm to their loved ones like the fear that their parents will get in a car crash or be attacked by burglars. In contrast older children who suffer from separation anxiety often deny they are worried about leaving their home.

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 manage their fears. In some instances, a mixture of therapies, including cognitive therapy, is used.

Adults should be consistent with their responses to children experiencing anxiety about separation. Children must be taught that their pleas to parents not to leave them are not valid. They will only be able to improve when they are given clear, firm boundaries, and assistance in overcoming their fears.