Children and Teens With Separation Anxiety Disorder

Children and adolescents suffering from separation anxiety disorder worry excessively about being away from their caregivers, parents or other significant people in their lives. They might also be worried about the negative consequences of separation, such as getting lost or being hurt.

Psychotherapy and medications can be used to treat children with separation anxiety disorders. Therapy involves teaching the child to deal with fearful situations slowly, with reassurance and support.

Symptoms

Separation anxiety disorder is more severe than normal anxiety in the event of being separated from family members and primary caregivers. People suffering from this disorder fear that their family member could be the victim of a tragic incident when they are separated. This could include getting lost or falling ill. They may also be fearful of other situations that could separate them from their loved one, including being abducted or having an accident in a vehicle.

This anxiety disorder can affect adults at any age. Adult separation anxiety is not believed to be caused by a specific cause, but it may be caused by life changes such as depression, depression, or PTSD. People with this condition may feel a lot dependent on children or romantic partners, and lack boundaries. Some may see them as being overly clingy or demanding.

This condition is characterized by extreme anxiety when a person is separated from their family, significant stress when away from home or at work, and recurrent thoughts of separation. These symptoms can make people avoid traveling or engaging in other activities that involve a physical separation from family members, like going back to school. Children with this condition may have trouble sleeping or may experience a variety of physical issues including headaches or stomachaches, when they are worried about being alone.

A healthcare professional will inquire with you about your past and current symptoms, or those of your child to determine if you suffer from separation anxiety. They will also inquire about your family, and other relationships to determine how you've faced separation anxiety in the past.

Talk therapy and, in a few instances, medication are used to treat this disorder. Your therapist can teach you and your child how to cope with their fears. They can also help you to approach feared situations through a step-by-step method that helps your child learn how to deal with separations and increase their confidence. The medication for anxiety disorder and depression can relax the brain and body, as well as ease your child's anxieties.

Diagnosis

Separation anxiety disorder can cause individuals to feel intense stress when they are away from their home or other close relatives. In contrast to the normal anxiety and fear that people generally feel the symptoms of this disorder can be persistent, typically lasting more than four weeks in children and six months or longer for adults. They can cause significant disruption to daily life and function at work and school. The condition can also interfere with a person's ability establish romantic relationships and socialize.

To determine the cause of this disorder, a mental health professional will interview the patient and observe his or her behavior. The healthcare provider will ask when symptoms began and what causes them to worsen or improve. Depending on the individual's age, a mental health professional may also ask about any recent events that may have caused stress and any previous trauma history.

The provider will also determine if there is another medical condition that could cause similar symptoms. This could be due to an illness like cancer, or a neurological disorder such as multiple sclerosis or cerebral palsy. Other possible causes are childhood family adversities like parental mental illness, addiction to drugs child abuse, domestic violence and neglect, as well as experiences with trauma such as natural disasters or sexual assault, war, or the death of a loved one.

Diagnosis of separation anxiety disorder in adults is more difficult as there are no lab tests for the condition and it can share many symptoms with other phobias. Separation Anxiety Disorder Home Remedies disorder is more prevalent in adults who have experienced an emotional trauma 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 on in their lives.

Separation anxiety disorder can be treated in various ways. People with separation anxiety disorder can overcome their fear through therapy, like a cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or prescription medications such as selective serotonin receptor antagonists and antidepressants. People suffering from this disorder typically benefit from education for parents 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 accompanied with physical symptoms and interferes in daily activities. According to the BetterHelp online therapy service that separation anxiety disorder is the most prevalent anxiety disorder diagnosed in kids, affecting up to 4% of them, with an age at onset of around 7 years.

Your child's healthcare professional will conduct a thorough examination to determine if there are any physical issues that could be causing anxiety. If no physical issues are discovered the healthcare provider of your child will refer them to a mental health professional who has experience in treating anxiety disorders. This could be a child psychiatrist or psychologist.

Psychotherapy (also called talk therapy) is typically the first option for treating separation anxiety disorder. The Therapist will work with your child to help them learn healthy ways of managing their emotions, building confidence and independence, as well as developing resilience. The therapist will instruct parents on ways they can help their child with anxiety. Treatment, such as antidepressants like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are typically prescribed along with psychotherapy for separation anxiety disorder.

The therapist will determine which treatment option is best for your child based upon their particular needs. Children who suffer from severe anxiety, for example might benefit from a combination of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) as well as exposure therapy. This is when your child is exposed to situations that cause anxiety gradually in small steps until they are comfortable with them.

As children grow older their symptoms tend to decrease. However, some adults could be suffering from separation anxiety disorder throughout their adult lives. It can be challenging for them maintain relationships or to pursue certain career goals like returning to school or moving to work. Adults suffering from separation disorder are more likely to suffer from co-occurring disorders like depression, phobias, or post-traumatic disorder.

Prevention

Separation anxiety is a common occurrence in many children. For some, separation anxiety can be a major issue that can affect their lives and hinders their participation in the activities they enjoy. If your child's anxiety is disrupting their daily routine, talk to a mental health professional.

Children suffering from separation anxiety experience extreme distress when separated from their parents or other major family members. They are always worried about being kidnapped, or lost or that an accident will cause them to lose the people closest to themselves. They may struggle to fall asleep at night or refusing to go to play dates, school or camp without their parents.

The signs of separation anxiety in children should last for at least four weeks before a physician can determine the cause. Most often, the healthcare professional will interview the child and their parents separately to obtain an accurate picture of the situation. They may also ask questions about anxiety disorders or life changes such as family history or life events that may cause separation anxiety.

Treatment for anxiety disorder separation differs by the child's age and the severity of the symptoms. Younger children usually express their anxiety through specific concerns about harm to their attachment figures, such as a fear that their parents might be hurt in a car crash or be attacked by an intruder. Separation anxiety in older children is frequently dismissed by them.

Behavioral therapy is a popular treatment for children suffering from separation anxiety. It usually involves teaching children relaxation techniques and helping them learn to recognize and manage their anxieties. In some instances it is necessary to combine treatments for anxiety disorders is employed, such as medication and cognitive therapy.

It's crucial for adults to be consistent in their responses to children's separation anxiety. Children need to understand that their pleas to parents not to leave them are not valid. They can only grow when they are given clear, definite boundaries and support in overcoming their fears.