Children and Teens With Separation Anxiety Disorder

Separation anxiety disorders affect children and adolescents who fret frequently when they are not from their caregivers, parents, or other important people. They might also worry about the possible negative effects of separation, such as being lost or getting injured.

Children with separation anxiety disorder can get treatment through psychotherapy and medication. The child is taught to approach the fearful situations slowly, and with assurance.

Signs and symptoms

While some anxiety over being away from loved ones is normal separation anxiety disorder can cause people much more intensely anxious than others when it comes to the separation from family members and primary caregiver figures. People with this condition are afraid that something terrible could occur to their family member if they are separated, such as being lost or getting sick. They may also be fearful of other circumstances that could cause separation from their loved ones, such as being kidnapped or having a an accident in a vehicle.

This anxiety disorder can be experienced by adults at any age. It's not known what causes separation anxiety disorders statistics in adults, but it can be caused by significant life changes or previous mental health disorders, such as depression or PTSD. The people who suffer from this disorder may feel too dependent on their children or romantic partners and have trouble establishing boundaries. Others can view them as excessively demanding and clingy.

Symptoms of this condition include excessive distress when a person is cut off from their family, severe distress when they are away from home or work and recurrent nightmares involving separation. These symptoms can lead people to avoid traveling or other activities that entail a physical separation from their families, for example, going to school. Children with this condition may have trouble sleeping or may experience a variety of physical issues like stomach pains or headaches, in the event of generalized anxiety disorder treatment about being alone.

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

Talk therapy and, in a few instances, medications are used to treat this condition. Your therapist will teach you and your child ways to deal with their fears. They can help you and your child to 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 disorder will experience extreme stress when separated from home or close attachment figures. The symptoms of separation anxiety disorder are more persistent than normal anxiety and fear. They can last up to six months for adults and for up to four weeks in children. They can cause major disruptions in daily life at school, work, and home. It can also impact a person's socialization and ability to develop romantic relationships.

To determine if this disorder is present, 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 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 attempt to determine if 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 disorder such as cerebral palsy or multiple-sclerosis. Other possible causes include familial adversities in childhood, such as parental mental illness, substance misuse domestic violence, child abuse and neglect, as well as experiences with trauma, such as natural disasters or sexual assault, war, or the loss of a loved one.

The diagnosis of separation anxiety disorder in adults is more difficult, because there aren't any laboratory tests for the condition and it may share a number of symptoms with other anxiety disorders. Someone who suffers from separation anxiety disorder in adulthood typically experiences it after trauma or a significant loss. Certain studies suggest that those who were diagnosed with separation anxiety disorder as children are more likely to be suffering from anxiety and depression later in life.

Separation anxiety disorder can be treated in many ways. People suffering from separation anxiety disorder can overcome their phobia through therapy, including cognitive behavioral treatment (CBT) or medication like selective serotonin antagonists and antidepressants. Parents with this disorder can benefit from methods and education to strengthen their relationship with their child.

Treatment

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

Your child's healthcare provider will conduct a thorough examination to rule out any physical problems that may be causing their anxiety. If no physical ailments are discovered, the healthcare provider for your child will refer them to an expert in anxiety disorders. For children who are ill, this could be a child psychologist or psychiatrist.

Psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy, is often the first option of treatment for separation anxiety disorder. The Therapist will work with your child to help them develop healthy ways to manage their emotions, building confidence in themselves and their independence, and building resilience. The therapist will also educate parents on how to support their child and help them deal with their anxiety. Medication, including antidepressants like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), is often used in conjunction with psychotherapy for separation anxiety disorder.

Depending on your child's specific needs, their therapy therapist will determine which options are most appropriate for the child. For instance, children who suffer from severe anxiety disorder anxiety may benefit from a combination of cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) and exposure therapy. This is the process of gradually expose your child to situations that cause anxiety over time in a series of small steps until they are comfortable.

As children age, their symptoms usually decrease. Some adults may still 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 with separation anxiety disorder are more likely to suffer from co-occurring conditions, such as other anxiety disorders depression, phobias, post-traumatic stress disorder, and a range of substance use disorders.

The following is a list of preventions.

For many kids with separation anxiety, it's an expected part of developing. But for others it can turn into an issue that is serious and can interfere with their lives and prevents them from engaging in activities they like. If your child's fears are disrupting their routine discuss it with a mental health professional.

Children suffering from separation anxiety disorder suffer extreme anxiety when they are separated from their parents or other major relationships. They are constantly worried about being snatched away or lost or that an accident could cause them to lose the people closest to themselves. They might also have trouble sleeping on their own at night or they may refuse to go to school, camp, or play dates without their parents.

Doctors will not diagnose separation anxiety until the signs of a child last at minimum four weeks. The healthcare professional may interview both the child and the parents individually to get the full picture. They may also ask questions regarding other depressive anxiety disorder disorders or life changes like family history or life events that could have triggered the separation anxiety.

Treatment for separation anxiety disorder is dependent on the age of the child and the severity of symptoms. Children younger than 5 years old tend to express their anxiety by expressing specific fears about harm to their attachment figures for example, being worried that their parents could be injured in a car crash or be attacked by an intruder. However older children with separation anxiety typically deny that they are anxious about leaving the house.

Children who have anxiety about separation are often treated with behavioral therapy. It typically involves teaching children relaxation techniques and helping them learn to recognize and manage their fears. In some instances, a mixture of therapies, including cognitive therapy, is utilized.

Adults should be consistent in their responses to children who are experiencing anxiety about separation. Children need to understand that their parents' pleas not to let them go are not valid. They can only grow if they receive clear, unambiguous boundaries and assistance in overcoming their fears.