Children and Teens With Separation Anxiety Disorder

Separation anxiety disorder affects children and adolescents who fret excessively when they are separated from their parents, caregivers or other important people. They may also worry about the possible negative effects of separation, like getting lost or being injured.

Psychotherapy and medication are a great option to treat children suffering from separation anxiety disorder. Therapy includes teaching the child to deal with fearful situations slowly, with reassurance and support.

Symptoms

Separation anxiety disorder is more intense than normal anxiety in the event of being separated from family members and primary caregivers. People suffering from this disorder fear that their family member could be the victim of a tragic event if they are separated. This could include getting lost or falling ill. They might also be afraid of other circumstances that could cause separation from their loved ones such as being kidnapped or having a an accident in a vehicle.

This anxiety disorder can be experienced by adults at any age. It's unclear what causes adult separation anxiety, but it can be triggered by major life changes or by previous mental health disorders, like depression or PTSD. People with this condition may feel a lot dependent on their children or their romantic partners, and lack boundaries. Some may see them as being overly clingy or demanding.

This condition is marked by a high level of distress when someone is separated from their family, a significant amount of distress when away from home or at work, and recurrent dreams involving separation. These symptoms can make people avoid travel or other activities that entail physical separation from their families, for example, going to school. Children who suffer from this condition may have trouble sleeping or suffer from a range of physical issues like headaches or stomach pains when they worry about being left alone.

To diagnose this disorder medical professionals will inquire about your or your child's past and current symptoms. They will also inquire about your family and other relationships to determine how you've dealt with separation anxiety in the past.

Talk therapy and, in some instances, medications are used to treat this disorder. Your therapist can show you and your child ways to deal with their fears. They can also help you approach situations that are feared in a step-by-step process that will help your child learn how to deal with separations and increase their confidence. Medications can help to calm the mind and relax the body which can ease your child's anxiety.

Diagnosis

A person suffering from separation anxiety disorder will feel extreme distress when they are away from their family members or close friends. In contrast to the normal anxiety and fear that people generally experience these symptoms disorder are persistent, often lasting more than four weeks for children, and up to more than six months in adults, and they can cause significant disruption to daily life and function at school and work. It can also affect a person's socialization and ability to form romantic relationships.

A mental health professional will interview and observe the patient's behavior to diagnose the disorder. The doctor will inquire about when symptoms began and what are anxiety disorders/depression triggers them to worsen or improve. Depending on the individual's age an expert in mental health may also ask about recent events that could have caused stress and any history of trauma.

The doctor will also determine whether there is another medical condition that can cause similar symptoms. It could be an illness such as cancer, or a neurological disorder such as multiple sclerosis or cerebral palsy. Other possible causes include childhood family adversities like parental mental illness, substance misuse child abuse, domestic violence and neglect, as well as exposure to traumatic events such as natural disasters and sexual assault, war, or the death of a loved one.

The diagnosis of separation anxiety disorder in adults is more difficult because there aren't any laboratory tests for the condition, and it may share a number of symptoms with other fears. Someone who suffers from separation anxiety disorder in adulthood usually does so after experiencing trauma or a significant loss. Certain studies suggest that those who suffer from separation disorders in childhood may be more likely to develop depression and anxiety disorders later in life.

Separation anxiety disorder can be treated in a variety of ways. People suffering from separation anxiety disorder can overcome their fear with therapy, including cognitive behavioral treatment (CBT) or medication like selective serotonin antagonists and antidepressants. People suffering from this disorder usually benefit from parent education and techniques to improve the quality of their relationship with their children.

Treatment

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

The healthcare provider for your child will conduct a thorough exam to determine if there are any physical issues that could be causing anxiety disorder brain. If no physical issues are discovered the healthcare provider of your child will refer them to a mental health professional who has experience in treating anxiety disorders. For children who are ill, this could 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 help your child discover healthy ways to manage their feelings and increase self-confidence and independence, and build resilience. The therapist will also instruct parents on how to support their child and help them deal with their anxiety. Separation anxiety disorder is usually treated with medication, such as antidepressants such as selective serotoninin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).

The therapist will decide the best treatment option for your child based on their individual needs. For instance, children suffering from severe anxiety might benefit from a combination of cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) and exposure therapy. This involves gradually expose your child to situations that cause anxiety over time in a series of small steps until they feel comfortable.

Typically, children suffering from separation anxiety disorder improve as they get older, and their symptoms will diminish. However, some adults could still suffer from symptoms of separation anxiety disorder throughout their adult lives. This makes it difficult to maintain relationships or to pursue certain career goals, such as going back to college or relocating for work. Adults with separation anxiety disorder have a high rate of co-occurring conditions like other types of anxiety disorders such as depression, phobias and post-traumatic stress disorder, and a range of addiction disorders.

Prevention

For many children who are anxious about separation, it is an inevitable part of the development process. But for others, it can become an issue that is serious and can interfere with their lives and blocks them from engaging in activities they enjoy. If your child's worries are disrupting their daily routines, talk to a mental health professional.

Separation anxiety disorder is a condition in which children suffer from extreme anxiety when they are separated from their parents or other family members. They are constantly concerned about being kidnapped, or lost or that an accident might cause them to lose those closest to themselves. They might be having a difficult time falling asleep alone at night or they may refuse to go to camp, school, or play dates without their parents.

Doctors will not diagnose separation anxiety until the signs of a child are present for at minimum four weeks. The healthcare provider can interview both the child and the parents separately to gather the complete picture. They may also ask questions regarding other anxiety disorders or changes in life such as family history or life events that may have triggered the separation social anxiety disorder causes.

Treatment for separation anxiety is determined by the child's age and the severity of the symptoms. Children express anxiety by worrying about their attachment figures. For instance they might worry that their parents are involved in a car accident or harmed 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 typically involves teaching children relaxation techniques and assisting them in learning to recognize and control their anxieties. In some cases, a mixture of therapies, including cognitive therapy, is employed.

Adults must be consistent in their responses to children experiencing separation anxiety. Children need to be aware that their parents' pleas not to leave them not valid. They can only grow by receiving clear, unambiguous boundaries and assistance in overcoming their fears.