Children and Teens With Separation Anxiety Disorder

Separation anxiety disorder is a problem that affects adolescents and children who worry overly when they are away from their caregivers, parents or other significant people. They might also be worried about the negative consequences of separation, like getting lost or being injured.

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

Symptoms

Although some anxiety about being apart from loved ones is normal separation anxiety anxiety disorders disorder can cause people more anxious than other people when it comes to separating from family members and primary caregiving figures. People with this condition fear that their family member will be the victim of a tragic incident when they are separated. This could mean getting lost or falling ill. They might also be scared of other situations that could make them separated from their loved ones such as being kidnapped or having a an accident with a car.

This social anxiety disorder cognitive behavioral therapy disorder can be experienced by adults at any age. Adult separation anxiety is not believed to be caused by a specific cause, but it may be triggered by changes in life such as depression, depression, or PTSD. The people who suffer from this disorder may feel too dependent on their children or their romantic partners and display a lack of boundaries. Some may see them as being too demanding or clingy.

The signs of this disorder include a high level of distress when someone is separated from their family, significant distress when they're away from work or home and recurrent nightmares involving separation. These symptoms can lead people to avoid traveling or other activities that require physical separation from their families, like going to school. Children with this condition may have trouble sleeping or suffer from a range of physical issues, such as headaches or stomachaches, when they are worried about being alone.

A healthcare professional will ask you about your current and past symptoms or the symptoms of your child to determine the cause of separation anxiety. They will also inquire about your family and other relationships to see how you've dealt with separation anxiety in the past.

Talk therapy and, in some instances, medication are utilized to treat this disorder. Your therapist will teach you and your child ways to deal with their fears. They can also help you to approach feared situations in a step-by-step process that will help your child learn how to deal with separations and build their confidence. The use of medication can help calm the brain and relax the body, which can help ease your child's anxiety disorders worksheet.

Diagnosis

A person suffering from separation anxiety will feel extreme distress when separated from the home or close family members. In contrast to the normal anxiety and fear that people generally suffer from, the symptoms of this disorder are persistent, often lasting for more than four weeks for children and more than six months in adults, and they cause major disruption to the daily routine and functioning at school and work. It can also impact a person's socialization and ability to establish romantic relationships.

To diagnose this disorder, a mental health professional will interview the patient and observe the patient's behavior. The doctor will inquire about when symptoms began and what triggers the symptoms to become worse or better. Depending on the individual's age the mental health professional may also ask about any recent events that may be causing stress, as well as any past trauma.

The doctor will also determine if there is another medical anxiety disorder condition that could cause similar symptoms. This could be due to an illness like cancer or an underlying neurological disorder, such as multiple sclerosis or cerebral palsy. Other causes are family problems like mental illness in the family or domestic violence, substance abuse and neglect and abuse of children.

Diagnosis of separation anxiety disorder in adults is more difficult, since there aren't any lab tests for the condition and it can share many symptoms with other anxiety disorders. A person who develops separation anxiety disorder in adulthood usually is a victim of an event that was traumatic or a major loss. Some studies suggest that people diagnosed with separation disorder in childhood may be more likely to develop depression and anxiety disorders later in life.

Separation anxiety disorder can be treated in various ways. Treatment such as cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), and medication, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors as well as antidepressants, can help overcome the phobia. Parents with this disorder can benefit from techniques and education to improve their relationship with their child.

Treatment

Separation anxiety disorder can be diagnosed when the child's fear of being around strangers and clinginess persists throughout elementary school, and is manifested by physical symptoms and interferes in daily activities. In fact, according to the BetterHelp online therapy service, separation anxiety disorder is the most frequent anxiety disorder that is diagnosed in children, affecting up to 4 percent of them, with an age at onset of 7 years old.

Your child's doctor will conduct an exhaustive exam to rule out physical issues that could cause anxiety. If no physical issues are discovered then the healthcare provider for your child will refer them to an anxiety disorder specialist. For children, this will most likely be a psychiatrist or child psychologist.

Psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy, is typically the first course of treatment for separation anxiety disorder. The therapist will work with your child to help them develop healthy ways to manage their emotions, boosting confidence in themselves and their independence, and building resilience. The therapist will also train parents on how they can assist their child and assist them with their anxiety. Separation anxiety disorder is often treated by medication, for example antidepressants, such as selective serotoninin receptor inhibitors (SSRIs).

Based on the specific needs of your child's needs, the counselor will determine what treatment options are most appropriate 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 gradually expose your child to situations that trigger anxiety in small steps until they are comfortable.

Typically, children suffering from separation anxiety disorder improve as they age and their symptoms decrease. However, some adults could continue to have symptoms of separation anxiety disorder throughout their adult lives. It can be difficult for them maintain relationships or to pursue certain career goals such as returning to college or moving to work. Adults with separation disorder are more likely to suffer from co-occurring disorders, such as depression, phobias and post-traumatic disorder.

Prevention

Separation anxiety is a common occurrence in many children. But for others it can turn into an issue that is serious and can interfere with their lives and prevents them from participating in activities they like. Consult a mental health specialist if your child's fear is affecting their daily life.

Separation anxiety disorder is a condition where children experience severe anxiety when they are separated from their parents or other attachment figures. They are constantly worried about being abducted, lost, or having an accident that will result in the loss of those closest to them. They might have difficulty falling to sleep at night, or refusing to go to play dates, school, or camp without their parents.

Doctors are not able to diagnose separation anxiety until the signs of a child last at minimum four weeks. The healthcare provider may interview both the child and the parents in a separate session to gather the complete picture. They may inquire about other anxiety disorders or family history, as well as life changes that might have caused or made the separation anxiety more severe.

Treatment for anxiety disorder separation varies depending on the child's age and the severity of the symptoms. Children express their anxiety by worrying about their attachment figures. For instance they might worry that their parents could be involved in a car accident or be attacked by a burglar. Separation anxiety in older children is usually denied by them.

Behavioral therapy is a common treatment for children with separation anxiety. It typically involves teaching children relaxation techniques and assisting them in learning to recognize and manage their anxieties. In some instances, a mixture of therapies, including cognitive therapy, is employed.

Adults should be consistent with their responses to children who are experiencing anxiety about separation. Children need to be aware that their pleas to parents not to leave them are not valid. They can only grow when they are given clear, definite boundaries and help in conquering their fears.