Children and Teens With Separation Anxiety Disorder

Separation anxiety disorder affects adolescents and children who worry frequently when they are not from their parents, caregivers or other significant people. They may also worry about a possible negative outcome of separation, like getting lost or injured.

Psychotherapy and medications can be used to treat children suffering from separation anxiety disorders. Therapy involves teaching the child to approach feared situations gradually with encouragement and support.

signs and symptoms of anxiety disorder and symptoms

Separation anxiety disorder is more intense than normal anxiety in the event of being separated from family and primary caregivers. People with this condition are worried that something terrible could happen to their family member when they are separated, like getting lost or becoming ill. They might also be afraid of other scenarios that could separate them from their loved ones, for example, being kidnapped or being involved in an accident.

The onset of this anxiety disorder typically begins in childhood, though adults can be affected at any time. It's unclear what causes separation anxiety in adults, but it can be caused by major life changes or previous mental health issues, such as depression or PTSD. People suffering from this disorder may feel overly dependent on children or romantic partners, and may lack boundaries. Others may see them as being too demanding and clingy.

This condition is marked by a high level of anxiety when a person is separated from their family, significant stress while away from home or at work, and recurrent dreams of separation. These symptoms can lead people to avoid traveling or other activities that involve the physical separation of their families, like going to school. Children who suffer from this condition might suffer physical issues such as headaches or stomach pains when they are worried about being left alone.

To determine the severity of this disorder, the healthcare professional will inquire about your your child's previous and current symptoms. They will also inquire about your family and other relationships, to determine how you've been able to manage separation anxiety before.

Treatment for this disorder consists of talk therapy and, in certain cases medications. Your therapist will teach you and your children how to cope with the anxiety. They can assist you and your child understand how to handle separations in a step by procedure. Medications can help to calm the brain and relax the body which can help ease the anxiety of your child.

Diagnosis

Separation anxiety disorder can cause a person to feel extreme distress if they are away from their home or close relatives. Unlike normal fear and worry that most people experience these symptoms disorder are long-lasting, usually lasting for more than four weeks in children, and up to more than six months for adults. They cause major disruption to daily activities and performance at work and school. The condition can also interfere with a person's ability create romantic relationships and socialize.

A mental health professional will interview and observe the patient's behavior to diagnose this disorder. The doctor will inquire about when symptoms began and what causes them to get worse or improve. Based on the age of the patient, a mental health professional will also inquire about recent events that could be causing stress, as well as any past trauma.

The doctor will also decide if there is another medical condition that may cause similar symptoms. It could be due to an illness like cancer or an underlying neurological disorder, such as cerebral palsy or multiple sclerosis. Other causes include childhood family traumas like mental illness of the parents and domestic violence, abuse of substances and child neglect and abuse.

It is a challenge to identify separation anxiety disorder in adults, as there aren't any lab tests and the symptoms can be similar to other phobias. Separation anxiety disorder is more frequent for adults who have had a traumatic experience or significant loss. Some studies suggest that people who suffer from separation disorders in childhood may be more likely to develop anxiety and depression disorders later on in their lives.

Separation anxiety disorder can be treated in a variety of ways. Therapies, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and medications, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and antidepressants, can assist people to overcome their fears. Parents who suffer from this disorder can benefit from methods and education to improve their relationship with their child.

Treatment

Although many children experience a period that makes them terrified of strangers and clingy, when this anxiety persists into the elementary years and beyond and is accompanied by physical symptoms, and affects daily functioning it could be a sign of separation anxiety disorder. In fact, according to the BetterHelp online therapy service the disorder of separation anxiety is the most frequent anxiety disorder diagnosed in kids, affecting up to 4% of them, with a onset age of around 7 years.

Your child's doctor will conduct an exhaustive exam to rule out physical ailments that could be causing anxiety. If no physical problems are found then the healthcare provider for your child will refer them to an anxiety disorder specialist. For children it will likely be a child psychologist or psychiatrist.

Psychotherapy (also known as talk therapy) is usually the first option for treating separation anxiety disorder. The therapy therapist will assist your child to discover healthy ways to manage their emotions, increase self-confidence and independence, as well as build resilience. The therapist will instruct parents on ways they can help their child with anxiety. Medication, including antidepressants such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are typically used in conjunction with psychotherapy for separation anxiety disorder.

The therapist will decide which treatment option is best for your child based on their specific needs. For example, children with extreme anxiety may benefit from a combination of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) signs and symptoms of anxiety disorder exposure therapy. This involves gradually exposing your child to the situations that cause anxiety in small steps until they feel comfortable.

As children get older their symptoms tend to decrease. There are some adults who have symptoms of separation anxiety in their adulthood. This can make it difficult for them to maintain relationships or to pursue certain career goals, such as returning to college or relocating to work. Adults who suffer from separation anxiety have a high rate of co-occurring conditions like other anxiety disorders such as depression and phobias, post-traumatic stress disorder, and a range of substance use disorders.

Prevention

For many children who are anxious about separation, it is an inevitable part of the development process. For others, anxiety over separation is a serious problem that interferes in their lives and prevents participation in the activities they enjoy. If your child's anxiety is disrupting their daily routine consult an expert in mental health.

Children with separation anxiety disorder experience extreme distress when separated from their parents or other significant attachment figures. They are constantly worried about being kidnapped or lost, or that an accident might cause them to lose those closest to them. They might have difficulty falling asleep at night or refuse to go to play dates, school, or camp without their parents.

The symptoms of separation anxiety in children should last for at least four weeks before a physician can diagnose the condition. The healthcare provider may interview both the child and the parents in a separate session to get the full picture. They might ask questions regarding other anxiety disorders or life changes like family history or life events that may trigger the separation anxiety.

Treatment for separation anxiety disorder differs based on the child's age, and the severity of symptoms. Children express their anxiety through worrying about their attachment figures. For instance they might worry that their parents might be involved in a car accident or harmed by burglars. In contrast older children with separation anxiety typically deny that they are worried about leaving their home.

Behavioral therapy is a typical treatment for children with separation anxiety disorder diagnosis (click through the following post). It involves teaching relaxation techniques to children, and helping them understand and manage their anxiety. In some cases, a combination of therapies is used, including medication and cognitive therapy.

It's important for adults to be consistent in their responses to children's anxiety about separation. Children need to be taught that their pleas for parents to not leave are not valid and they'll only get better if they're provided with clear, definite boundaries and a lot of support while they work to overcome their fears.