Children and Teens With Separation Anxiety Disorder

Children and adolescents suffering from separation anxiety disorder worry excessively about being separated from their parents, caregivers or other important people in their lives. They might also worry about the negative consequences of separation, such as getting lost or hurt.

Children suffering from separation anxiety disorder diagnosis can get treatment through psychotherapy and medication. The child is taught to approach feared situations slowly, with reassurance.

Signs and symptoms

While some anxiety about being away from loved ones is normal, separation anxiety disorder makes people more anxious than other people when it comes to the separation from family members and primary caregiving figures. People suffering from this condition are afraid that something bad will occur to their family member when they are separated, such as losing their way or falling ill. They might also be worried about other situations that could keep them from their loved ones such as being abducted or being involved in a car accident.

The onset of this disorder usually occurs in the earliest years of life, however adults can develop it at any time. It isn't known what causes separation anxiety in adults however, it could be caused by significant life changes or prior mental health issues like depression or PTSD. The sufferers of this disorder might feel overly dependent on children or their romantic partners, and lack boundaries. Some may view them as excessively clingy and demanding.

Symptoms of this condition include excessive distress when a person is cut off from their family members, severe distress when they are away from their home or at work and frequent nightmares about separation. These symptoms can make people avoid travel or other activities that entail a physical separation from their families, for example, going to school. Children who suffer from this condition may have difficulty sleeping or experience a variety of physical problems like headaches or stomach pains when they worry about being alone.

A healthcare professional will inquire with you about your past and current 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 see how you've overcome separation anxiety in the past.

Treatment for this disorder includes talk therapy and, in some cases medications. Your therapist can show you and your child how to manage their fears. They can help you and your child understand how to handle separations in a step by procedure. Medications can help to calm the mind and relax the body, which can help ease your child's anxiety.

Diagnosis

A person suffering from separation anxiety will experience extreme stress when they are away from their home or close attachment figures. Unlike normal fear and worry that most people experience the symptoms of this disorder can be persistent, typically lasting for more than four weeks for children and more than six months in adults, and they cause major disruption to daily life and function at work and school. It can also impact the social life of a person and their ability to establish romantic relationships.

To diagnose this disorder A mental health professional will interview the patient and observe his or her behavior. The healthcare provider will ask when symptoms began and what causes the symptoms to become worse or better. Based on the age of the patient, a mental health professional might also inquire about any recent events that might have caused stress, as well as any past trauma.

The doctor will also attempt to determine whether the phobia is a result of another medical condition that may cause similar symptoms, such as an illness, like cancer or a neurological disorder like cerebral palsy or multiple sclerosis. Other possible causes include familial adversities in childhood such as mental illness, addiction to drugs, domestic violence, child abuse and neglect, and exposure to traumatic events such as natural catastrophes or war, sexual assault or the loss of a loved one.

It can be difficult to diagnose separation anxiety disorder among adults because there are no lab tests and the symptoms may be similar to other anxiety disorders. Anyone who develops separation anxiety disorder in adulthood usually experiences it after trauma or a significant loss. Certain studies suggest that those diagnosed with separation disorder in childhood are more likely to develop anxiety and depression disorders later in life.

There are a variety of treatment options available for those suffering from separation anxiety disorder physical symptoms disorder. There are many treatment options available for people suffering from. Treatment, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and medication, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors as well as antidepressants, can assist people to overcome the phobia. People suffering from this disorder usually benefit from parental education and techniques to improve the quality of their relationship with their children.

Treatment

Separation anxiety disorder can be diagnosed when the child's fear of being around strangers and clinginess continues throughout elementary school, is manifested by physical symptoms and interferes in daily functioning. 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.

The doctor who treats your child will conduct an exhaustive exam to rule out physical ailments that could be causing anxiety. If no physical problems are found the healthcare professional for your child will refer them to an anxiety disorder specialist. For children it will likely be a psychiatrist or child psychologist.

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

Based on the specific needs of your child's requirements, their therapy therapist will determine which options are best for them. Children with severe anxiety, for example might benefit from a mix of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) as well as exposure therapy. This means exposing your child to situations that trigger their anxiety gradually over time in small steps until they are comfortable with them.

Most often, children suffering from separation anxiety disorder will improve as they get older and their symptoms diminish. However, some adults may continue to have symptoms of separation anxiety disorder throughout their adult lives. This makes it difficult to maintain relationships or pursue certain career goals, such as returning to school or relocating to work. Adults who suffer from separation disorder are more likely to suffer from co-occurring disorders such as depression, phobias and post-traumatic disorder.

The following is a list of preventions.

Separation anxiety is a common occurrence in many children. However, for some it can be a serious problem that interferes with their lives and blocks them from taking part in activities they enjoy. If your child's fears are disrupting their daily routine, talk to an expert in mental health.

Separation anxiety disorder is a condition in which children experience severe distress when separated from parents or other attachment figures. They are constantly concerned about being kidnapped, or lost or that an accident could result in the loss of those closest to themselves. They may struggle to fall asleep at night or refuse to go to play dates, school or camp without parents.

Doctors will not diagnose separation acute anxiety disorder until the signs of a child are present for at least four weeks. Often, the healthcare provider will interview the child and their parents separately to obtain a full picture of the situation. They might also inquire about anxiety disorders that are not related to separation anxiety or family history as well as changes in life that may have triggered or made the separation anxiety worse.

Treatment for anxiety disorder separation varies depending on the child's age and the severity of the symptoms. Younger children usually express their anxiety by expressing specific fears about harm to their attachment figures, such as being worried that their parents will get in a car accident or be attacked by a burglar. Separation anxiety in older children is usually denied by them.

Children with separation anxiety are often treated with behavioral therapy. It involves teaching relaxation techniques to children and helping them understand and manage their anxiety. In some cases it is necessary to combine therapies, such as cognitive therapy, is employed.

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