Activity

Children and Teens With Separation Anxiety Disorder

Separation anxiety disorder is a problem that affects adolescents and children who worry frequently when they are not from their caregivers, parents or other significant people. They may also worry that being separated could have negative consequences, like being lost or hurt.

Children with separation anxiety disorders are treated through psychotherapy and medication. The child is taught to tackle the fearful situations slowly, and with reassurance.

Symptoms

While some anxiety over being separated from loved ones is normal, separation anxiety disorder makes people much more intensely anxious than other people when it comes to being separated from family members and primary caregiving figures. People with this disorder are concerned that something terrible could occur to their family member while 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, like being kidnapped or being involved in a car accident.

The onset of this disorder usually occurs in the earliest years of life, however adults can be affected at any age. It’s not known what causes separation anxiety in adults however it could be triggered by major life changes or by previous mental health issues, like depression or PTSD. The people who suffer from this condition may be overly dependent on their spouses or children and have trouble establishing boundaries. Others can view them as overly demanding and 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 their home or at work and frequent nightmares about separation. These symptoms can lead people to avoid travel or other activities that entail the physical separation of their families, such as going to school. Children with this condition may have trouble sleeping or may experience a variety of physical ailments including headaches or stomachaches, in the event of anxiety about being left alone.

A healthcare provider will ask you about your current and past symptoms or the symptoms of your child to diagnose separation anxiety. They will inquire about your family and other relationships, to see how you’ve faced separation anxiety in the past.

Talk disorders anxiety and, in certain instances, medication are used to treat this condition. Your therapist can teach you and your child how to cope with their fears. They can help you and your child to learn to manage separations in a step by steps. Medications can help to calm the mind and relax the body, which can help ease the anxiety of your child.

Diagnosis

A person suffering from separation anxiety disorder will experience extreme stress when apart from home or close attachment figures. The symptoms of separation anxiety disorder can be more severe than normal anxiety and fear. They can last up to six months in adults and up to four weeks in children. They can cause major disruptions in daily life at school, work, and home. The condition can also cause problems with the ability of a person to form romantic relationships and socialize.

To diagnose this disorder, a mental health professional will talk to the patient and observe the patient’s behavior. The doctor will want to be aware of the time when symptoms began and what causes them to become more or less severe. Based on the age of the patient the mental health professional may also ask about any recent events that may be causing stress, as well as any previous trauma history.

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

Diagnosis of separation anxiety disorder in adults is more difficult as there are no lab tests for the condition and it may have a variety of symptoms with other phobias. panic anxiety disorder is more prevalent among adults who have suffered trauma or a significant loss. There are studies that suggest that those who have been diagnosed with separation anxiety disorder as children are more likely to suffer from anxiety and depression as they age.

Several treatment options are available for people with separation anxiety disorder. There are a variety of treatment options available to those suffering from. People with separation anxiety disorder can overcome their fear through therapy, like a cognitive behavioral treatment (CBT) or medication like selective serotonin receptor antagonists and antidepressants. People suffering from this disorder typically benefit from education for parents and techniques to improve their relationship with their children.

Treatment

Separation anxiety disorder can be diagnosed when the child’s fear of being around strangers and clinginess persists throughout the elementary school years, and is manifested by physical symptoms and impedes daily activities. According to BetterHelp, an online therapy service for children the disorder of separation anxiety is a problem that affects as many as 4% of children with a median age of 7 years.

The doctor who treats your child will conduct an extensive exam to rule out physical problems that could be causing anxiety. If no physical issues are discovered, the healthcare provider for your child will refer them to an anxiety disorder specialist. For children, this will most likely be a child psychologist or psychiatrist.

Psychotherapy (also called talk therapy) is typically the first option for treating separation anxiety disorder. The therapist will work with 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 instruct parents on how they can help their child and aid them deal with their anxiety. Separation anxiety disorder is usually treated with medication, including antidepressants like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).

Based on your child’s individual requirements, their therapy therapist will determine which options are appropriate for them. Children with extreme anxiety, for instance, may benefit from a mix of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and exposure therapy. This is the process of gradually expose your child to situations that trigger anxiety over time in a series of small steps until they feel comfortable.

Most often, children suffering from separation anxiety disorder improve as they get older, and their symptoms will decrease. There are some adults who experience symptoms of separation disorder throughout their adult lives. This could make it difficult for them to maintain relationships or to pursue certain career goals, like going back to college or moving for work. Adults suffering from separation disorder are more likely to suffer from co-occurring disorders like depression, phobias, and post-traumatic disorder.

Prevention

For many kids with separation anxiety, it’s a normal part of development. For others, separation anxiety can be a major issue that interferes in their lives and prevents participation in the activities they enjoy. If your child’s anxiety is 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 always worried about being abducted, lost or experiencing an accident that could lead to the loss of loved ones 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 are present for at minimum four weeks. Most often, the healthcare professional will interview the child and their parents in a separate interview to get an entire 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 caused or made separation anxiety more severe.

Treatment for separation anxiety 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 loved ones for example, a fear that their parents will get in a car crash or be attacked by a burglar. In contrast 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 involves teaching relaxation techniques to children, and helping them recognize and control their anxiety. In some instances, a mixture of treatments, such as cognitive therapy, is utilized.

It’s crucial for adults to be consistent in their responses to children’s separation anxiety. Children need to be aware that their pleas to parents not to let them go are not valid. They will only be able to improve when they are given clear, firm boundaries, and assistance in overcoming their fears.