Children and Teens With Separation Anxiety Disorder

Children and adolescents with separation anxiety disorder worry excessively about being separated from their caregivers, parents or other significant people in their lives. They may also worry about the possible negative effects of separation, like getting lost or being injured.

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

Symptoms

While some anxiety about being apart from loved ones is normal separation anxiety disorder can cause people much more intensely anxious than others when it comes to being separated from family members and primary caregiving figures. People suffering from this disorder fear that their family member could be the victim of a tragic incident when they are separated. This could mean that they get lost or falling ill. They may also be fearful of other circumstances that could make them separated from their loved one, such as being kidnapped or having a an accident with a car.

This anxiety disorder can affect adults at any age. It isn't known what causes separation anxiety in adults however, it could be caused by major life changes or previous mental health disorders, such as depression or PTSD. People suffering from this disorder may feel a lot dependent on their children or romantic partners, and have poor boundaries. Some may see them as too 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 while away from home or at work, and frequent thoughts of separation. These symptoms can make people avoid traveling or other activities that entail physical separation from their families, for example, going to school. Children suffering from this condition could experience physical problems such as stomach pains when they worry about being alone.

A healthcare professional will ask you about your previous and current symptoms or those of your child in order to diagnose separation anxiety. They will ask you about your family, and other relationships to determine how you've dealt with separation anxiety disorders in women before.

Treatment cure for anxiety disorder this disorder consists of talking therapy and, in some instances medication. Your therapist can teach you and your child ways to manage their fears. They can also help you deal with situations that scare you by guiding you through the steps that will help your child learn how to deal with separations and build up their confidence. The medication can relax the brain, relax the body and help ease your child's fears.

Diagnosis

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

A mental health professional will interview and examine the patient's behavior to diagnose the disorder. The healthcare provider will ask when symptoms started and what causes them to get worse or improve. A mental health professional will ask about recent events and history of trauma dependent on the age of the person.

The provider will also determine if there is another medical condition that may cause similar symptoms. It could be due to an illness like cancer or an underlying neurological disorder, such as cerebral palsy or multiple sclerosis. Other possible causes include family-related adversities that affect children such as mental illness, substance abuse, child abuse, domestic violence and neglect, as well as exposure to traumatic events, such as natural catastrophes, sexual assault, war, or the death of loved ones.

The diagnosis of separation anxiety disorder in adults is more difficult, since there aren't any lab tests for the condition, and it may have a variety of symptoms with other fears. Separation anxiety disorder is more prevalent among adults who have suffered 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 depression and anxiety disorders in adulthood.

Separation anxiety disorder can be treated in many ways. Individuals suffering from separation anxiety can overcome their fear with therapy, such a cognitive behavioral treatment (CBT) or prescription medications such as selective serotonin receptor antagonists and antidepressants. Parents with this disorder can benefit from methods and education to improve their relationship with their child.

Treatment

Many children go through a phase when they become terrified of strangers and clingy When this fear persists through elementary school and beyond and is associated with physical symptoms, and causes problems with daily activities it could be a sign of separation anxiety disorder. According to BetterHelp, an online therapy service for children that treat separation anxiety disorder, it can affect up to 4% of children with an average age of 7 years.

Your child's healthcare provider will conduct a thorough examination to rule out any physical problems that could be causing anxiety. If no physical issues are found then the healthcare provider for your child will refer them to an anxiety disorder specialist. For children, this will most likely be a child psychologist or psychiatrist.

Psychotherapy (also known as talk therapy) is typically the first treatment for separation anxiety disorder. The Therapist will assist your child to help them learn healthy ways of managing their emotions, building self-confidence and independence, and building resilience. The therapist will educate parents on ways they can assist their child who is suffering from anxiety. Separation anxiety disorder is often treated with medication, including antidepressants like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).

Depending on your child's specific needs, the therapist will determine which treatment options are appropriate for their specific needs. Children with extreme anxiety, for instance might benefit from a mix of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) as well as exposure therapy. This is the process of gradually expose your child to situations that trigger anxiety over time in a series of small steps until they feel comfortable.

As children age their symptoms typically decrease. However, some adults may still suffer from symptoms of separation anxiety throughout their adult lives. It can be difficult to maintain relationships or pursue certain career goals such as returning to school or moving to work. Adults suffering from separation disorder are more likely to develop co-occurring disorders, such as depression, phobias, and post-traumatic disorder.

The following is a list of preventions.

For many children who are anxious about separation, it is an expected part of developing. But for others it can be an issue that is serious and can interfere with their lives and prevents them from engaging in activities they enjoy. Talk to a mental health professional if your child's fear affects their daily routine.

Separation anxiety disorder is a disorder in which children experience severe distress when they are away from their parents or other family members. They are constantly concerned about being kidnapped or lost or that an accident will cause them to lose those closest to them. They might also have a hard time falling asleep alone at night or they may refuse to go to camps, school, or play dates without their parents.

A child's separation anxiety symptoms must last at least four weeks before a physician can determine the cause. The healthcare provider can interview both the child and the parents in a separate session to gather the complete picture. They may inquire about other anxiety disorders, family history, and changes in life that may have caused or made the separation anxiety worse.

Treatment for separation anxiety varies depending on the age of the child and the severity of symptoms. Children express their anxiety through worrying about their attachment figures. For instance they might worry that their parents might be in a car crash or be attacked by burglars. However, older children with separation anxiety usually deny that they are anxious about leaving home.

Behavioral therapy is a typical treatment for children with separation anxiety. It involves teaching relaxation techniques to children and helping them recognize and control their anxiety. In some instances there is a mix of treatments, such as cognitive therapy, is employed.

Adults must be consistent in their responses to children who are experiencing anxiety over separation. Children must be taught that their pleas to parents to stay home are not valid, and they'll only get better if they're given clear, precise boundaries and support as they work to overcome their fears.