Children and Teens With Separation Anxiety Disorder

Separation anxiety disorder affects children and adolescents who fret overly when they are away from their parents, caregivers or other important people. They may also worry about the possible negative effects of separation, for example, getting lost or being injured.

Psychotherapy and medication are a great option to treat children suffering from separation anxiety disorders. The child is taught to approach the fearful situations slowly, and with assurance.

Symptoms

Although some anxiety about being away from loved ones is normal separation anxiety disorder causes people more anxious than others when it comes to the separation from family members and primary caregiver figures. People suffering from this disorder fear that their loved ones will be the victim of a tragic incident when they are separated. This could include getting lost or becoming sick. They might also be afraid of other scenarios that could separate them from their loved ones such as being kidnapped or having a an accident with a car.

This anxiety disorder can be experienced by adults at any age. It isn't known what causes adult separation anxiety however it could be caused by major life changes or by previous mental health issues, like depression or PTSD. People who suffer from this condition can feel overly dependent on their children or their romantic partners and have trouble establishing boundaries. Others may perceive them as being too demanding or clingy.

This condition is characterized by extreme distress when one is cut off from their family, significant stress while away from home or working, and recurring dreams of separation. These symptoms can make people avoid travel or other activities that require physical separation from family members, like going back to school. Children who suffer from this condition may have trouble sleeping or experience a variety of physical ailments like stomach pains or headaches, when they worry about being left alone.

A healthcare professional will ask you about your past and current symptoms or those of your child to diagnose separation anxiety. They will also inquire about your family and other relationships to determine how you have overcome separation anxiety in the past.

Talk therapy and, in certain instances, medication are used to treat generalized anxiety disorder this disorder. Your therapist can teach you and your child how to deal with their fears. They can assist you and your child to learn to manage separations in a step by step process. The medication can relax the mind and relax the body to reduce your child's anxiety.

Diagnosis

Separation anxiety disorder causes individuals to feel intense anxiety when they are away from their home or other close relatives. Unlike normal fear and worry that many people suffer from the symptoms of this disorder can be persistent, typically lasting longer than four weeks for children, and up to more than six months in adults, and they cause major disruption to daily activities and performance at school and work. The condition can also cause problems with a person's ability establish romantic relationships and socialize.

A mental health professional will interview and observe the patient's behavior to determine the cause of the disorder. The healthcare provider will want be aware of the time when symptoms began and what causes them to become more or less severe. Depending on the person's age an expert in mental health may also ask about any recent events that might have caused stress, as well as any history of trauma.

The doctor will also try to determine whether the fear is the result of a different medical condition that can cause similar symptoms, like an illness such as cancer or a neurological condition such as cerebral palsy or multiple-sclerosis. Other possible causes include childhood family adversities like parental mental illness, addiction to drugs domestic violence, child abuse and neglect, and exposure to traumatic events such as natural disasters or sexual assault, war or the death of a loved one.

The 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 is more common for adults who have had trauma or a significant loss. There are studies that suggest that those who were diagnosed with separation anxiety disorder as children are more likely to suffer from anxiety and depression in adulthood.

Separation anxiety disorder can be treated in a variety of ways. People with separation anxiety disorder can overcome their fear through therapy, including cognitive behavioral treatment (CBT) or medication like selective serotonin antagonists and antidepressants. Parents with this disorder can benefit from techniques and training to strengthen their relationship with their child.

Treatment

Many children experience a period when they become anxious and clingy to strangers, when this anxiety persists through elementary school and beyond, is accompanied by physical symptoms, and interferes with daily functioning, it may be an indication of separation anxiety disorder. In fact, according to the BetterHelp online therapy service the disorder of separation anxiety is the most prevalent anxiety disorder that is diagnosed in children, affecting up to 4 percent of them with an age at onset of around 7 years.

Your child's healthcare provider will conduct a thorough exam to determine if there are any physical issues that could be causing anxiety. If no physical problems are found, the healthcare provider for your child will refer them to an anxiety disorder specialist. This could be a child psychiatrist or psychologist.

Psychotherapy (also called talk therapy) is usually the first option for treating separation anxiety disorder. The therapist will assist your child to help them develop healthy ways to manage 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) are often prescribed along with psychotherapy for separation anxiety disorder.

Based on your child's individual needs, their counselor will determine what treatment options are best for the child. For example, children with extreme anxiety may benefit from a combination of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and exposure therapy. This involves gradually expose your child to situations that cause anxiety over time in small steps until they feel comfortable.

Most often, children suffering from separation anxiety disorder improve as they get older and their symptoms diminish. However, some adults might continue to have symptoms of separation anxiety disorder throughout their adult lives. This could make it difficult for them to keep relationships or to pursue certain career goals, such as going back to college or moving for work. Adults who suffer from separation anxiety are more likely to suffer from co-occurring conditions, such as other types of anxiety disorders, depression and phobias, post-traumatic stress disorder, and a variety of addiction disorders.

The following is a list of preventions.

For many kids with separation anxiety, it's an expected part of developing. For others, separation anxiety is a serious problem that interferes in their lives and prevents them from participating in the activities they enjoy. Talk to a mental health professional if your child's fear is affecting their daily routine.

Separation anxiety disorder is a condition in which children suffer from extreme anxiety when they are separated from their parents or other family members. They are always worried about being snatched away or lost, or that an accident will result in the loss of those closest to them. They might also have a hard time sleeping at night on their own or they may refuse to go to school, camp, or play dates without their parents.

Doctors do not diagnose separation anxiety until the signs of a child last at minimum four weeks. Most often, the healthcare professional will interview the child and parents in a separate interview to get a full picture of the situation. They might also inquire about other anxiety disorders, family history, and life events that could have caused or made the separation anxiety more severe.

Treatment for separation anxiety disorder varies depending on the age of the child and the severity of symptoms. Children who are younger typically express their anxiety by expressing specific fears about harm to their family members, such as the fear that their parents might be hurt in a car accident or be attacked by an intruder. However older children with separation anxiety typically deny that they are worried about leaving the house.

Behavioral therapy is a popular treatment for children suffering from separation anxiety. It involves teaching relaxation techniques to children, and helping them understand and manage their anxiety. In some cases it is necessary to combine treatments, such as cognitive therapy, is utilized.

It is crucial for adults to be consistent in their responses to children's anxiety about separation. Children must be taught that their requests for parents to not leave are not valid and they will only improve if they're given clear, precise boundaries and a helping hand as they try to overcome their fears.