Children and Teens With Separation Anxiety Disorder

Children and adolescents with separation anxiety disorder have a tendency to worry about being separated from their parents, caregivers or other significant people in their lives. They might also worry about a possible negative outcome of separation, for example, getting lost or being injured.

Children suffering from separation anxiety can get treatment through therapy and medication. The child is taught to handle feared situations slowly, with confidence.

Signs and symptoms

Separation anxiety disorder is more severe than normal anxiety in relation to being separated from family members 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 falling ill. They may also be fearful of other circumstances that could separate them from their loved ones such as being kidnapped or having a an accident in a vehicle.

This anxiety disorder can affect adults at any age. It's not known what causes adult separation anxiety however, it could be caused by significant life changes or previous mental health disorders, like depression or PTSD. The people who suffer from this condition may be overly dependent on their children or romantic partners and exhibit poor boundaries. Others may see them as being too demanding and clingy.

This condition is marked by a high level of distress when one is cut off from their family, a significant amount of distress while away from home or at work, and frequent thoughts of separation. These symptoms can cause people avoid traveling or other activities that require physical separation from family members, such as returning to school. Children who suffer from this condition may have trouble sleeping or may experience a variety of physical issues like headaches or stomachaches, in the event of anxiety about being alone.

To diagnose this disorder a healthcare provider will ask about your your child's past and present symptoms. They will also inquire about your family, and other relationships, to determine how you've faced separation anxiety in the past.

Treatment for this disorder includes talking therapy and, in certain cases medication. Your therapist will teach you and your children how to deal with the anxiety. They can help you and your child learn how to deal with separations through a step by procedure. The medications can calm the mind and body, as well as help ease your child's fears.

Diagnosis

Separation anxiety disorder can cause people to experience extreme stress when they are away from their home or close family members. The symptoms of separation anxiety disorder are more persistent than normal anxiety and fear. They can last up to six months in adults and up to four weeks in children. They can cause significant disruptions in the daily routine, school, and work. The condition can also interfere with a person's ability to create romantic relationships and socialize.

To diagnose this disorder, a mental health professional will talk to the patient and observe his or her behavior. The healthcare provider will want know when the symptoms started and what makes them more or less severe. Depending on the person's age the mental health professional might also inquire about recent events that may have caused stress, as well as any previous trauma history.

The provider will also determine whether there is a medical condition that can cause similar symptoms. This could be a condition such as cancer, or a neurological disorder such as cerebral palsy or multiple sclerosis. Other possible causes are childhood family adversities such as mental illness, substance abuse, child abuse, domestic violence and neglect, and experiences with trauma such as natural disasters or sexual assault, war or the loss of loved ones.

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. Someone who develops a separation anxiety disorder in adulthood typically does so after experiencing an event that was traumatic or a major loss. Some studies suggest that people who suffer from separation disorders in childhood are more likely to develop anxiety and depression disorders later in life.

Separation anxiety disorder can be treated in many ways. Treatment such as cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) as well as medications, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and antidepressants, can assist people to overcome the phobia. People with this disorder often benefit from parental education and methods to improve their relationship with their children.

Treatment

Separation anxiety disorder may be diagnosed when the child's fear of being around strangers and clinginess continues throughout elementary school, and is manifested by physical symptoms and interferes in daily functioning. In fact, according to the BetterHelp online therapy service, separation anxiety disorder is the most frequent anxiety disorder diagnosed in kids that affects up to 4 percent of them with a onset age of about 7 years.

Your child's doctor will perform an extensive exam to rule out physical problems that could be causing anxiety. If no physical problems are found the healthcare professional for your child will refer them to an expert in anxiety disorders. For children it will likely be a psychiatrist or child psychologist.

Psychotherapy (also called talk therapy) is often the first option for treating separation anxiety disorder. The therapy therapist will work with your child to teach them healthy ways to manage their emotions, boosting confidence and independence, as well as developing resilience. The therapist will also educate parents on how they can support their child and help them cope with their anxiety. Separation anxiety disorder is typically treated with medication, including antidepressants, such as selective serotoninin receptor inhibitors (SSRIs).

The therapist will decide which treatment option is best for your child based upon their particular needs. For instance, children suffering from severe anxiety may benefit from a combination of cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) and exposure therapy. This involves gradually exposing your child to the situations that cause anxiety in small steps until they become comfortable.

Typically, children suffering from separation anxiety disorder improve as they age, and their symptoms will decrease. However, some adults might still suffer from symptoms of separation anxiety disorder throughout their adult lives. This could make it difficult for them to keep relationships or to pursue certain career goals, such as going back to college or relocating to work. Adults with separation anxiety disorder have a high functioning anxiety disorder rate of co-occurring disorders, including other types of anxiety disorders, depression and phobias, post-traumatic stress disorder, and a range of substance use disorders.

Prevention

For many children, separation anxiety is a normal part of development. For some, separation anxiety is a serious problem that interferes in their lives and prevents participation in activities they enjoy. Consult a mental health professional if your child's anxiety is affecting their daily routine.

Children suffering from separation anxiety disorder experience extreme distress when separated from their parents or other significant relationships. They are always worried about being kidnapped or lost or that an accident might cause them to lose those closest to them. They may also have a hard time sleeping on their own at night, or they might refuse to go to camps, school or play dates without their parents.

A child's separation anxiety symptoms must last for at least 4 weeks before a doctor will diagnose the problem. The healthcare provider may interview both the child and parents in a separate session to get the full picture. They may inquire about any other anxiety disorders or family history as well as life events that could have caused or made the separation social anxiety disorder disorder medication list (Recommended Internet page) more severe.

Treatment for anxiety disorder separation varies by the age of the child and the severity of the symptoms. Children express anxiety disorder blood pressure by worrying about their attachment figures. For instance they might worry that their parents are involved in a car accident or harmed by burglars. However older children who suffer from separation anxiety typically deny that they are anxious about leaving home.

Children who suffer from separation generalized anxiety disorder gad are usually treated with behavioral therapy. It typically involves teaching children relaxation techniques and assisting them in learning to recognize and manage their fears. In some instances, a mixture of treatments, such as cognitive therapy, is employed.

Adults should be consistent in their responses to children experiencing anxiety over separation. Children need to be aware that their parents' pleas not to let them go are not valid. They will only be able to improve if they receive clear, definite boundaries and assistance in overcoming their fears.