Children and Teens With Separation Anxiety Disorder
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Children and adolescents suffering from separation anxiety disorder are anxious about being apart from their caregivers, parents or other significant people in their lives. They might also be concerned that separation could have negative consequences, like being lost or hurt.
Children with separation anxiety disorders are treated through psychotherapy and medications. Therapy involves teaching the child to manage fearful situations gradually with encouragement and support.
Signs and symptoms
While some anxiety over being apart from loved ones is normal, separation anxiety disorder makes people much more intensely anxious than others when it comes to the separation from family members and primary caregiving figures. People with this disorder are concerned that something tragic will occur to their family member if they are separated, for example, losing their way or falling ill. They might also be worried about other situations that can separate them from their loved ones for example, being kidnapped or being involved in a car accident.
The first signs of this anxiety disorder usually occurs in the earliest years of life, however adults can be affected at any time. It's unclear what causes separation
Anxiety Disorder Blood Pressure in adults however it could be caused by major life changes or previous mental health issues, like depression or PTSD. People with this condition may be overly dependent on their children or romantic partners, and may lack boundaries. Some may see them as being overly demanding or clingy.
This condition is characterized by extreme anxiety when a person is separated from their family, significant stress while away from home or at work, and frequent thoughts of separation. These symptoms can cause people to avoid travel or other activities that require physical separation from their families, like going to school. Children with this condition may have difficulty sleeping or suffer from a range of physical issues like headaches or stomach pains in the event of anxiety about being on their own.
A healthcare professional will ask you about your current and past symptoms, or those of your child in order to determine the cause of separation anxiety. They will also inquire about your family and other relationships to see how you have overcome separation anxiety in the past.
Treatment for this disorder can include talking therapy and, in some instances medications. Your therapist will teach you and your children how to deal with the anxiety. They can also help you deal with situations that scare you in a step-by-step process that helps your child learn how to handle separations and increase their confidence. The use of medication can help calm the mind and relax the body, which can help ease your child's anxiety.
Diagnosis
Separation anxiety disorder causes people to experience extreme anxiety when they are away from their home or close attachment figures. Contrary to the normal fears and anxieties that most people experience, the symptoms of this disorder are long-lasting, usually lasting more than four weeks for children, and up to six months or longer in adults. They can cause significant disruption to daily life and function at work and school. The condition can also cause problems with a person's ability to create romantic relationships and socialize.
A mental health professional will interview and observe the patient's behavior to diagnose the disorder. The healthcare provider will ask when symptoms began and what triggers them to worsen or improve. Based on the age of the patient, a mental health professional may also ask about recent events that could have caused stress, as well as any history of trauma.
The provider will also try to determine whether the phobia is the result of a different medical condition that may cause similar symptoms, for example an illness such as cancer or a neurological issue such as cerebral palsy or multiple sclerosis. Other possible causes are familial adversities in childhood like parental mental illness, substance misuse or child abuse, domestic violence and neglect, as well as experiences with trauma such as
natural remedies for anxiety disorder catastrophes and war, sexual assault or the loss of a loved one.
The diagnosis of separation anxiety disorder in adults is more difficult as there are no lab tests for the condition, and it may share a number of symptoms with other phobias. Separation anxiety disorder is more frequent in adults who have experienced an emotional trauma or a major loss. Some studies indicate that people who suffer from separation disorders in their early years may be more likely to develop
depression and anxiety disorders later in life.
Several treatment options are available to those suffering from separation anxiety disorder. There are many treatment options available for people suffering from. People suffering from separation anxiety disorder can overcome their fear through therapy, such a cognitive behavioral treatment (CBT) or medication like selective serotonin receptor antagonists and antidepressants. Parents suffering from this disorder can benefit from strategies and education to strengthen their relationship with their child.
Treatment
Although many children go through a phase that makes them clingy and fearful of strangers If this fear persists throughout elementary school and beyond and is accompanied by physical symptoms, and causes problems with daily activities it could be an indication of separation anxiety disorder. According to BetterHelp an online therapy service for children that treat separation anxiety disorder, it is a problem that affects as many as 4% of children with a median age of 7 years.
Your child's doctor will perform an extensive exam to rule out physical problems that could cause anxiety. If no physical problems are found then the healthcare provider for your child will refer them to an anxiety disorder specialist. For children it will likely be a child psychologist or psychiatrist.
Psychotherapy, also referred to as talk therapy, is typically the first treatment option for separation anxiety disorder. The therapist will assist your child to teach them healthy ways of managing their emotions, boosting confidence in themselves and their independence, and developing resilience. The therapist will also educate parents on how they can assist their child who is suffering from anxiety. The use of medication, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), is often used in conjunction with psychotherapy for separation
generalized anxiety disorder causes disorder.
Based on the specific needs of your child's needs, their therapist will determine which treatment options are best for them. For instance, children who suffer from severe anxiety may benefit from a combination of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and exposure therapy. This involves exposing your child to situations that cause anxiety gradually, in small steps, until they are at ease with them.
As children grow older their symptoms typically decrease. There are some adults who suffer from symptoms of separation disorder in their adulthood. It can be difficult for them maintain relationships or pursue certain career goals such as returning to college or moving to work. Adults who suffer from separation disorder are more likely to develop co-occurring disorders like depression, phobias, or post-traumatic disorder.
The following is a list with preventions.
For many children, separation
anxiety disorders resources is a normal part of development. For others, separation anxiety can be a serious issue that can affect their lives and prevents participation in the activities they enjoy. Speak to a mental healthcare professional if your child's fear is affecting their daily life.
Children with separation anxiety disorder suffer extreme stress when they are separated from their parents or other major attachment figures. They are constantly worried about being kidnapped, or lost or that an accident could result in the loss of those closest to themselves. They might have difficulty falling asleep at night or refusing to go to school, play dates or camp without parents.
Doctors will not diagnose separation anxiety until the symptoms of a child are present for at least four weeks. Often, the healthcare provider will interview the child and their parents separately to obtain an entire picture of the situation. They may ask questions about anxiety disorders or life changes, such as family history or life events that could have triggered the separation anxiety.
Treatment for separation anxiety disorder differs based on the child's age, and the severity of symptoms. Children express their anxiety by worrying about their attachment figures. For instance, they may worry that their parents could be in a car crash or harmed by burglars. In contrast, older children with separation anxiety usually deny that they have any anxiety about leaving home.
Children who suffer from separation anxiety are often treated using behavioral therapy. It typically involves teaching children relaxation techniques and teaching them to recognize and manage their anxieties. In some instances the combination of therapies is used, including medication and cognitive therapy.
It's important for adults to be consistent in their responses to children's separation anxiety. Kids need to know that their requests for parents to stay home are not valid, and they will only improve if given clear, firm boundaries and support as they work to overcome their fears.