Children and Teens With Separation Anxiety Disorder
Children and adolescents with separation anxiety disorder are anxious about being apart from their caregivers, parents or other important people in their lives. They might also be concerned that being separated could have negative consequences, like being hurt or lost.
Children suffering from separation anxiety can get treatment through therapy and medication. Therapy focuses on teaching children to approach feared situations gradually, with reassurance and support.
Symptoms
While some anxiety over being away from loved ones is normal separation anxiety disorder causes people much more intensely anxious than other people when it comes to being separated from family members and primary caregiver figures. People suffering from this disorder fear that their loved ones will be the victim of a tragic event if they are separated. This could mean that they get lost or falling ill. They might also be afraid of other situations that could keep them from their loved ones like being kidnapped or being involved in an accident.
The onset of this disorder usually occurs in childhood, though adults can develop it at any time. Adult separation anxiety is not known to be caused by a specific cause, but it may be triggered by life changes or depression. It can also be caused by PTSD. The sufferers of this disorder might feel a lot dependent on their children or their romantic partners, and lack boundaries. Some may view them as being too demanding and clingy.
The symptoms of this condition include excessive distress when someone is separated from their family, significant distress when they are away from their home or at work and frequent nightmares of separation. These symptoms can lead people to avoid travel or other activities that involve the physical separation of their families, like going to school. Children suffering from this condition could suffer physical issues such as stomach pains if they worry about being alone.
To diagnose this disorder the healthcare professional will inquire about your your child's past and current symptoms. They will also ask you about your family and other relationships to see how you've faced separation anxiety in the past.
Talk therapy and, in some instances, medication are used to treat this condition. Your therapist will teach you and your child how to deal with their fears. disorders anxiety can also help you approach situations that are feared through a step-by-step method that will help your child learn how to deal with separations and build up their confidence. The medicines can help calm the mind and relax the body to help ease your child's fears.
Diagnosis
Separation anxiety disorder can cause a person to feel extreme distress if they are away from their home or other close family members. Unlike normal fear and worry that people generally feel the symptoms of this disorder are persistent, often lasting more than four weeks for children and more than six months in adults. They cause major disruption to daily activities and performance at school and work. 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 talk to the patient and observe their behavior. The provider will ask when symptoms started and what triggers the symptoms to become worse or better. Based on the age of the patient an expert in mental health may also ask about recent events that could be causing stress, as well as any history of trauma.
The provider will also try to determine whether the phobia is a result of another medical condition that can cause similar symptoms, for example an illness such as cancer or a neurological issue, such as multiple sclerosis or cerebral palsy. Other possible causes include family-related adversities that affect children, such as parental mental illness, substance misuse domestic violence, child abuse and neglect, and exposure to traumatizing events, such as natural disasters or sexual assault, war, or the death of a loved one.
It is difficult to diagnose separation anxiety disorder among adults because there are no tests for it and the symptoms can be similar to the symptoms of other anxiety disorders. Separation anxiety disorder is more common in adults who have experienced trauma or a significant loss. Some studies suggest that people diagnosed with separation disorder in childhood may be more likely to develop depression and anxiety disorders as adults.
Separation anxiety disorder can be treated in many ways. People with separation anxiety disorder can overcome their phobia through therapy, including cognitive behavioral treatment (CBT) or medication like selective serotonin antagonists and antidepressants. People suffering from this disorder typically benefit from education for parents and methods to improve the quality of their relationship with their children.
Treatment
Although many children experience a period where they are clingy and fearful of strangers If this fear persists into elementary school and beyond, is accompanied by physical symptoms, and causes problems with daily activities it could be an indication of separation anxiety disorder. According to BetterHelp, an online therapy service for children, separation anxiety disorder can affect up to 4% of children, with a median age of 7 years.
Your child's healthcare provider will conduct a thorough exam to identify any physical issues that may be causing their anxiety. If no physical problems are found, the healthcare provider for your child will refer them to an expert in anxiety disorders. It could be a child psychiatrist or psychologist.
Psychotherapy, also referred to as talk therapy, is usually the first option of treatment for separation anxiety disorder. The Therapist will work with your child to teach them healthy ways of managing their emotions, boosting confidence and independence, as well as building resilience. The therapist will also instruct parents on how to support their child and help them with their anxiety. Medication, including antidepressants like selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), is often prescribed in addition to psychotherapy for separation anxiety disorder.
Based on the specific needs of your child's needs, their therapy therapist will determine which options are most appropriate for the child. Children with severe anxiety, like, may benefit from a mix of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and exposure therapy. This is when your child is exposed to situations that trigger their anxiety gradually, in small steps, until they are comfortable with them.
As children grow older their symptoms tend to decrease. Some adults may still have symptoms of separation anxiety in their adulthood. This makes it difficult for them to maintain relationships or pursue certain career goals, such as going back to college or relocating for work. Adults suffering from separation disorder are more likely to have co-occurring disorders such as depression, phobias, and post-traumatic disorder.
Prevention
Separation anxiety is common in many children. For some, separation anxiety is a serious problem that can affect their lives and prevents participation in the activities they enjoy. Talk to a mental health professional if your child's anxiety is affecting their daily life.
Children with separation anxiety disorder experience extreme distress when separated from their parents or other major attachment figures. They are always worried about being snatched away or lost or that an accident might cause them to lose those closest to themselves. They may have trouble falling asleep at night or refusing to go to school, play dates or camp without their parents.
Doctors do not diagnose separation anxiety until the symptoms of a child have lasted at least four weeks. Often, the healthcare provider will interview the
