Children and Teens With Separation Anxiety Disorder

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

Children suffering from separation anxiety can get treatment through psychotherapy and medication. Therapy involves teaching the child to manage fearful situations gradually by providing reassurance and encouragement.

Signs and symptoms

While some anxiety about being apart from loved ones is normal separation anxiety disorder causes people more anxious than other people when it comes to the separation from family members and primary caregiver figures. People with this disorder are concerned that something tragic will occur to their family member while they are separated, for example, getting lost or becoming ill. They might also be afraid of other situations that can separate them from their loved ones such as being abducted or being involved in an accident.

This anxiety disorder can be experienced by adults at any age. It's unclear what anxiety disorder feels like causes separation anxiety in adults however it could be triggered by major life changes or previous mental health disorders, such as depression or PTSD. The sufferers of this disorder might be overly dependent on their children or romantic partners, and lack boundaries. Others may perceive them as being overly demanding or clingy.

The signs of this disorder include a high level of distress when a person is separated from their family, severe anxiety when they are away from home or work and frequent nightmares about separation. These symptoms can make people 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 may experience a variety of physical issues like headaches or stomach pains in the event of anxiety about being left alone.

A healthcare professional will inquire with 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 find out how you've overcome separation anxiety in the past.

Treatment for this disorder can include talk therapy and, in certain cases, medication. Your therapist can teach you and your child ways to manage their fears. They can anxiety disorder cause nausea also help you to approach feared situations by guiding you through the steps that helps your child learn how to cope with separations and build up their confidence. Medications can help to calm the mind and relax the body, which can help ease your child's anxiety.

Diagnosis

Separation anxiety disorder causes people to experience extreme distress if they are away from their home or close attachment figures. The symptoms of separation anxiety are more persistent than normal anxiety and anxiety and. They can last for up to six months for adults and for up to four weeks in children. They cause major disruptions in daily life, school, and work. The condition can also cause problems with a person's ability to establish romantic relationships and socialize.

A mental health professional will interview and observe the patient's behavior in order to determine the cause of the disorder. The healthcare provider will want be aware of the time when symptoms began and what causes them to become more or less severe. Depending on the person's age the mental health professional may also ask about any recent events that may be causing stress, as well as any past trauma.

The doctor will also decide whether there is a medical condition that could cause similar symptoms. This could be a condition such as cancer or a neurological disorder such as multiple sclerosis or cerebral palsy. Other possible causes are childhood family adversities like parental mental illness, substance misuse, domestic violence, child abuse and neglect, as well as experiences with trauma such as natural disasters, sexual assault, war, or the death of a loved one.

It is difficult to diagnose separation anxiety disorder among adults because there are no tests for it and the symptoms may be similar to the symptoms of other phobias. A person who develops separation anxiety disorder in their adulthood typically does so after experiencing an event that was traumatic or a major loss. There are studies that suggest that those who were diagnosed with separation anxiety disorder as children are more likely to suffer from anxiety and depression in adulthood.

Separation anxiety disorder can be treated in a variety of ways. Treatment like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and medication, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and antidepressants, can help people overcome their fears. People suffering from this disorder typically benefit from parental education and methods to improve the quality of their relationship with their children.

Treatment

Separation anxiety disorder may be diagnosed when the child's fear of being around strangers and clinginess is persistent throughout elementary school, is accompanied with physical symptoms and interferes in daily functioning. According to the BetterHelp online therapy service that separation anxiety disorder is the most frequent anxiety disorder diagnosed in kids that affects up to 4% of them, with an age at onset of 7 years old.

Your child's doctor will perform an exhaustive exam to rule out physical issues that could cause anxiety. If no physical ailments are discovered the healthcare professional for your child will refer them to an anxiety disorder specialist. It could be a child psychiatrist or psychologist.

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

The therapist will decide which treatment option is best for your child based upon their particular needs. For instance, children who suffer from severe anxiety might benefit from a combination of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and exposure therapy. This means gradually expose your child to situations that cause anxiety in small steps until they are comfortable.

Often, children with separation anxiety disorder improve as they grow older, and their symptoms will diminish. However, some adults may experience symptoms of separation disorder throughout their adult lives. This could make it difficult to maintain relationships or pursue certain career goals, like going back to college or relocating to work. Adults suffering from separation anxiety disorder are more likely to suffer from co-occurring conditions, such as other anxiety disorders medications disorders, depression, phobias and post-traumatic stress disorder, and a range of addiction disorders.

Prevention

For many kids, separation anxiety is an expected part of developing. For others, it can become a serious problem that interferes with their lives and prevents them from participating in activities they like. If your child's worries are disrupting their routine consult a mental health professional.

Children suffering from separation anxiety experience extreme distress when separated from their parents or other important family members. They are constantly worried about being abducted, lost or experiencing an accident that could result in the loss of loved ones to them. They might have difficulty falling to sleep at night, or refusing to go to play dates, school or camp without parents.

The signs of separation anxiety in children must last at least four weeks before a physician can diagnose the problem. The healthcare professional may interview both the child and parents individually to get the full picture. They may ask questions about other anxiety disorders or changes in the life such as family history and life events that could cause separation anxiety.

Treatment for anxiety disorder separation varies by the age of the child and the severity of the symptoms. Younger children usually express their anxiety through specific worries about harm to their attachment figures, such as a fear that their parents will get in a car crash or be attacked by burglars. Separation anxiety in older children is usually ignored by them.

Behavioral therapy is a popular treatment for children suffering from separation anxiety. It involves teaching relaxation techniques to children, and helping them identify and manage their anxiety. In some instances, a combination of therapies is used, including cognitive therapy and medication.

Adults must be consistent in their responses to children who are experiencing anxiety over separation. Kids need to know that their pleas for parents to not leave are not valid and they'll only improve if they're given clear, firm boundaries and support as they work to overcome their fears.