Children and Teens With Separation Anxiety Disorder
Separation anxiety disorder affects adolescents and children who worry overly when they are away from their parents, caregivers, or other important people. They might also be concerned that being separated could have negative consequences, such as being lost or hurt.
Psychotherapy and medication can be used to treat children with separation anxiety disorder. Therapy involves teaching the child to manage fearful situations gradually, with reassurance and support.
Symptoms
Separation anxiety disorder is more intense than normal anxiety in the event of being separated from family and primary caregivers. People suffering from this disorder are worried that their family member could be the victim of a tragic incident when they are separated. This could mean that they get lost or becoming sick. They might also be afraid of other situations that could keep them from their loved ones, for example, being kidnapped or being involved in an accident.
The first signs of this anxiety disorder typically occurs in the earliest years of life, however adults can be affected at any time. It isn't known what causes separation anxiety in adults however, it could be triggered by major life changes or by previous mental health disorders, like depression or PTSD. People suffering from this disorder may feel a lot dependent on their children or their romantic partners, and may lack boundaries. Others may see them as overly demanding and clingy.
This condition is marked by a high level of distress when someone is separated from family, significant distress while away from home or working, and recurring dreams involving separation. These symptoms can make people avoid traveling or other activities that involve a physical separation from family members, such as returning to school. Children who suffer from this condition may have difficulty sleeping or suffer from a range of physical issues including headaches or stomach pains in the event of anxiety about being on their own.
A healthcare provider will ask you about your past and current symptoms, or those 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 dealt with separation anxiety before.
Treatment for this disorder can include talk therapy and, in some cases, medication. Your therapist will teach you and your child how to manage their fears. They can assist you and your child to learn to manage separations in a step-by- procedure. The use of medication can help calm the mind and relax the body which can ease your child's anxiety.
Diagnosis
A person suffering from separation anxiety is likely to experience extreme anxiety when apart from family members or close friends. Unlike normal fear and worry that many people experience, the symptoms of this disorder are long-lasting, usually lasting longer than four weeks in children and more than six months in adults, and they can cause significant disruption to the daily routine and functioning at school and work. The condition can also cause problems with a person's ability establish romantic relationships and socialize.
To diagnose this disorder A mental health professional will interview the patient and observe their behavior. The provider will ask when symptoms first started and what triggers them to worsen or improve. A mental health professional will inquire about recent events and history of trauma, depending on the age of the person.
The doctor will also determine if there is another medical condition that could cause similar symptoms. This may 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 like parental mental illness, substance misuse domestic violence, child abuse and neglect, and exposure to traumatizing events such as natural catastrophes, war, sexual assault or the death of a loved one.
disorders anxiety of separation anxiety disorder in adults is more difficult because there aren't any laboratory tests for the condition, and it can share many symptoms with other fears. Separation anxiety disorder is more frequent among adults who have suffered a traumatic experience or significant loss. Some studies indicate that people who suffer from separation disorders in childhood are more likely to develop anxiety and depression disorders later on in their lives.
Separation anxiety disorder can be treated in a variety of ways. People with separation anxiety disorder can overcome their fear with therapy, including cognitive behavioral treatment (CBT) or medication such as selective serotonin receptor antagonists and antidepressants. People suffering from this disorder usually benefit from education for parents and techniques to improve their relationship with their children.
Treatment
Many children experience a period where they are terrified of strangers and clingy When this fear persists throughout elementary school and beyond, is accompanied by physical symptoms, and interferes with daily functioning, it may be a sign of separation anxiety disorder. In fact, according to the BetterHelp online therapy service that separation anxiety disorder is the most frequent anxiety disorder seen in children 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 identify any physical issues that may be causing their anxiety. If no physical issues are discovered the doctor who treats your child will refer them to a mental health professional who has experience in anxiety disorders. For children it will likely be a child psychologist or psychiatrist.
Psychotherapy, also referred to as talk therapy, is typically the first course of treatment for separation anxiety disorder. The therapist will help your child learn how to manage their feelings to increase self-confidence, confidence and independence, as well as build resilience. The therapist will instruct parents on how they can help their child with anxiety. Separation anxiety disorder is often treated with medication, including antidepressants like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).
The therapist will decide which treatment option is best for your child based on their individual needs. For instance, children suffering from severe anxiety might benefit from a combination of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and exposure therapy. This means exposing your child to situations that cause anxiety gradually over time in small steps until they are comfortable with them.
As children get older, their symptoms usually decrease. There are some adults who experience symptoms of separation disorder in their adulthood. This could make it difficult to maintain relationships or pursue certain career goals, such as going back to college or moving for work. Adults suffering from separation disorder are more likely to develop co-occurring disorders such as depression, phobias, and post-traumatic disorder.
Prevention
Separation anxiety is common among many children. For some, separation anxiety can be a serious issue that affects their lives and prevents them from participating in activities they love. If your child's worries are disrupting their routine, talk to a mental health professional.
Separation anxiety disorder is a condition where children experience extreme distress when they are away from their parents or other figures of attachment. They have persistent fears about being abducted, lost, or experiencing an accident that could lead to the loss of people who are close to them. They might have difficulty falling asleep at night or refusing to go to school, play dates or camp without parents.
Doctors do not diagnose separation anxiety until the symptoms of a child last at minimum four weeks. Often, the healthcare provider will interview the child and parents separately to obtain an accurate picture of the situation. They might ask questions regarding other anxiety disorders or life changes like family history or life events that might cause separation anxiety.
Treatment for anxiety disorder separation differs 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 for example, a fear that their parents might be hurt in a car crash or be attacked by burglars. Separation anxiety in older children is often dismissed by them.
Children with separation anxiety are often treated with behavioral therapy. It usually involves teaching children relaxation techniques and teaching them to recognize and manage their fears. In some cases the combination of treatments is employed, such as medication and cognitive therapy.
It is crucial for adults to be consistent in their responses to children's anxiety about separation. Children need to be aware that their pleas to parents not to let them go are not valid. They will only improve if they receive clear, definite boundaries and assistance in conquering their fears.