Children and Teens With Separation Anxiety Disorder

Separation anxiety disorder is a problem that affects children and adolescents who worry excessively when they are separated from their parents, caregivers, or other important people. They might also be worried about the possible negative effects of separation, for example, getting lost or hurt.

Psychotherapy and medication can be used to treat children suffering from separation anxiety disorder. The child is taught to approach feared situations slowly, with confidence.

Symptoms

Although some anxiety about being away from loved ones is normal, separation anxiety disorder makes people more anxious than other people when it comes to being separated from family members and primary caregiver figures. People suffering from this condition are worried that something bad will happen to their family member while they are separated, for example, getting lost or becoming ill. They might also be afraid of other scenarios that could separate them from their loved ones like being kidnapped or being involved in an accident.

This anxiety disorder can affect people at any age. It's unclear what causes separation anxiety in adults however, it could be caused by major life changes or by prior mental health issues such as depression or PTSD. The people who suffer from this condition may be overly dependent on their children or their romantic partners and have trouble establishing boundaries. Others may see them as overly demanding and clingy.

This condition is marked by a high level of distress when someone is separated from their family, significant stress when away from home or at work, and frequent dreams of separation. These symptoms can cause people to avoid traveling or other activities that require physical separation from family members, for example, going back to school. Children with this condition may experience physical problems such as stomach pains when they are worried about being left alone.

A healthcare professional will ask you about your previous and current symptoms or the symptoms 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 dealt with separation anxiety before.

Talk therapy and, in certain instances, medication are utilized to treat this condition. Your therapist will teach you and your children how to cope with the fear. They can also guide you approach situations that are feared in a step-by-step process that helps your child learn how to deal with separations and increase their confidence. The medicines can help calm the brain, relax the body and reduce your child's anxiety.

Diagnosis

Separation anxiety disorder causes individuals to feel intense stress when they are away from their home or other close attachment figures. The symptoms of separation anxiety disorder can be more severe than normal anxiety and fear. They can last for up to six months for adults and for up to four weeks in children. They can cause significant disruptions in the daily routine as well as school and work. It can also affect the person's social life and ability to develop romantic relationships.

To determine the cause of this disorder A mental health professional will talk to the patient and observe their behavior. The doctor will want to know when the symptoms started and what causes them to become worse or better. A mental health professional will ask about recent events and trauma history, depending on the age of the patient.

The doctor will also attempt to determine whether the phobia is a result of another medical condition that could cause similar symptoms, like an illness, such as cancer or a neurological condition like multiple sclerosis or cerebral palsy. Other causes are family traumas like parental mental illnesses and domestic violence, substance abuse and child abuse and neglect.

Diagnosis of separation anxiety disorder in adults is more difficult since there aren't any lab tests for the condition and it may share a number of symptoms with other anxiety disorders. Separation anxiety disorder is more prevalent in adults who have experienced an emotional trauma or a major loss. Certain studies suggest that those who were diagnosed with separation anxiety disorders Wikipedia disorder in childhood are more likely to suffer from depression and anxiety disorders symptoms disorders in adulthood.

Separation anxiety disorder can be treated in many ways. Therapy such as cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) and medications, like selective serotonin receptor inhibitors and antidepressants, can help overcome their fear. People suffering from this disorder typically benefit from parent education and techniques to improve their relationship with their children.

Treatment

While many children go through a phase where they are terrified of strangers and clingy, when this anxiety persists throughout elementary school and beyond, is manifested as physical symptoms and interferes with daily functioning, it may be a sign of separation anxiety disorder. According to the BetterHelp online therapy service, separation anxiety disorder is the most frequent anxiety disorder diagnosed in kids that affects up to 4 percent of them, with an age at onset of 7 years old.

The doctor who treats your child will conduct an extensive exam to rule out physical problems that could cause anxiety. If no physical problems are identified, your child's healthcare provider will refer them to an expert in mental health who has experience in treating anxiety disorders. For children, this will most likely be a psychiatrist or child psychologist.

Psychotherapy (also known as talk therapy) is usually the first treatment for separation anxiety disorder. The therapist will work with your child to teach them healthy ways of managing their emotions, building confidence and independence, as well as building their resilience. The therapist will also instruct parents on how they can support their child and help them cope with their anxiety. Separation anxiety disorder is typically treated with medication, including antidepressants such as selective serotoninin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).

Depending on your child's specific needs, their therapist will determine which treatment options are best for the child. For example, children with severe anxiety might benefit from a combination of cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) and exposure therapy. This is the process of gradually exposing your child to the situations that cause anxiety over time in a series of small steps until they feel comfortable.

Often, children with separation anxiety disorder improve as they get older, and their symptoms will decrease. However, some adults may continue to have symptoms of separation anxiety throughout their adult lives. This could make it difficult to maintain relationships or to pursue certain career goals, such as returning to college or relocating to work. Adults who suffer from separation disorder are more likely to develop co-occurring disorders like depression, phobias and post-traumatic disorder.

The following is a list with preventions.

Separation anxiety is a common occurrence in many children. For others it can turn into an issue that causes problems with their lives and stops them from taking part in activities they enjoy. Talk to a mental health professional if your child's anxiety affects their daily routine.

Children with separation anxiety disorder suffer extreme stress when they are separated from their parents or other important relationships. They are always worried about being kidnapped or lost, or that an accident could cause them to lose the people closest to themselves. They may also have a hard time sleeping at night on their own, or they might refuse to go to camps, school or play dates with their parents.

A child's separation anxiety symptoms must last for at least 4 weeks before a doctor will diagnose the condition. Most often, the healthcare professional will interview the child and their parents separately 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 life events that could have triggered or made the separation anxiety more severe.

Treatment for anxiety disorder separation varies depending on the child's age and the severity of the symptoms. Younger children tend to express their anxiety by expressing specific fears about harm to their family members like the fear that their parents will get in a car crash or be attacked by burglars. However, older children with separation anxiety usually deny that they are anxious about leaving the house.

Behavioral therapy is a popular treatment for children with separation anxiety. It typically involves teaching children relaxation techniques and teaching them to recognize and control their anxieties. In some instances, a mixture of treatments, such as cognitive therapy, is utilized.

It's important for adults to be consistent in their responses to children's anxiety about separation. 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 by receiving clear, definite boundaries and assistance in overcoming their fears.