Children and Teens With Separation Anxiety Disorder

Children and adolescents with separation anxiety disorder have a tendency to worry about being apart from their caregivers, parents or other significant people in their lives. They may also worry about the possible negative effects of separation, like getting lost or hurt.

Children suffering from separation anxiety can be treated with psychotherapy and medication. Therapy includes teaching the child to approach feared situations gradually, with reassurance and support.

Signs and symptoms

Although some anxiety about being apart from loved ones is normal separation anxiety disorder can cause people much more intensely anxious than other people when it comes to separating from family members and primary caregiver figures. People suffering from this disorder are worried that their family member will be the victim of a tragic incident when they are separated. This could mean getting lost or getting sick. They might also be scared of other situations that could cause separation from their loved one, for example, being kidnapped or getting into a an accident with a car.

This anxiety disorder can affect adults at any age. Adult separation anxiety is not believed to be caused by anything specific however it can be triggered by life changes or depression. It can also be caused by PTSD. The people who suffer from this condition may be overly dependent on their spouses or children and exhibit poor boundaries. Others may perceive them as being too clingy or demanding.

This condition is marked by a high level of distress when one is cut off from family, significant distress while away from home or at work, and frequent dreams of separation. These symptoms can make people avoid travel or other activities that require physical separation from family members, such as going back to school. Children who suffer from this condition may have trouble sleeping or suffer from a range of physical problems including stomach pains or headaches, when they worry about being alone.

To determine the severity of this disorder, medical professionals will inquire about your or your child's previous and current symptoms. They will also ask you about your family and other relationships to determine how you have overcome separation anxiety in the past.

Treatment for this disorder consists of therapy for talk and, in some instances, medication. Your therapist can show you and your child how to cope with their fears. They can also guide you to approach feared situations in a step-by-step process that will help your child learn how to handle separations and build up their confidence. The medications can calm the mind and relax the body to ease your child's anxieties.

Diagnosis

Separation anxiety disorder causes a person to feel extreme distress if they are away from their home or close relatives. In contrast to the normal anxiety and fear that many people feel the symptoms of this disorder can be persistent, anxiety disorder separation typically lasting longer than four weeks for children, and up to up to six months in adults. They cause major disruption to daily activities and performance at work and school. It can also affect the social life of a person and their ability to establish romantic relationships.

To diagnose this disorder, a mental health professional will interview the patient and observe his or her behavior. The healthcare provider will ask when symptoms first started and what triggers them to get worse or improve. Based on the age of the patient the mental health professional may also ask about recent events that might be causing stress, as well as any history of trauma.

The doctor will also attempt to determine if the phobia is a result of another medical condition that could cause similar symptoms, for example an illness, such as cancer or a neurological disorder such as cerebral palsy or multiple-sclerosis. Other possible causes include familial adversities in childhood like parental mental illness, substance misuse child abuse, domestic violence and neglect, as well as experiences with trauma such as natural catastrophes or sexual assault, war, or the loss of loved ones.

It can be difficult to diagnose separation anxiety disorder among adults because there are no lab tests and the symptoms may be similar to the symptoms of other phobias. Separation anxiety disorder is more common in adults who have experienced trauma or a significant loss. Certain studies suggest that those diagnosed with separation disorder in childhood may be more likely to develop anxiety and depression disorders anxiety as adults.

Several treatment options are available for people with separation anxiety disorder behaviors disorder. There are a variety of treatment options available to those suffering from. People with separation anxiety disorder can overcome their fear through therapy, like a cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or medication like selective serotonin receptor antagonists and antidepressants. Parents with this disorder can benefit from techniques and training to improve their relationship with their child.

Treatment

Many children experience a period where they are terrified of strangers and clingy, when this anxiety persists throughout the elementary years and beyond and is accompanied by 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 common anxiety disorder seen in children that affects up to 4 percent of them, with an onset age of about 7 years.

Your child's healthcare provider will conduct a thorough exam to identify any physical issues that could be causing anxiety. If no physical issues are discovered, your child's healthcare provider will refer them to a mental health professional with expertise in anxiety disorder test disorders. This could be a psychologist or child psychiatrist.

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

Based on your child's individual needs, their therapist will determine which treatment options are most appropriate for the child. For instance, children who suffer from severe anxiety might benefit from a combination of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and exposure therapy. This means gradually exposing your child to the situations that cause anxiety over time in small steps until they feel comfortable.

Most often, children suffering from separation anxiety disorder will improve as they get older and their symptoms decrease. However, some adults may be suffering from separation anxiety throughout their adult lives. It can be challenging drugs for generalized anxiety disorder them keep relationships going or to achieve certain career goals like returning to school or moving to work. Adults who suffer from separation anxiety have a high percentage of co-occurring disorders, including other anxiety disorders such as depression, phobias and post-traumatic stress disorder, and a variety of addiction disorders.

The following is a list of preventatives.

For many children who are anxious about separation, it is an expected part of developing. For others it can be a serious problem that interferes with their lives and prevents them from participating in activities they enjoy. Talk to a mental health professional if your child's fear is affecting their daily life.

Children with separation anxiety disorder suffer extreme stress when they are separated from their parents or other significant family members. They have persistent fears about being abducted, anxiety disorder separation lost or having an accident that will lead to the loss of those closest to them. They might also have trouble sleeping at night on their own, or they might refuse to go to camps, school, or play dates without their parents.

A child's separation anxiety symptoms must last for at least 4 weeks before a doctor can determine the cause. The healthcare provider can interview both the child and parents separately to obtain the complete picture. They may also ask questions about anxiety disorders or life changes like family history or life events that could trigger the separation anxiety.

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 through specific worries about harm to their family members for example, being worried that their parents might be hurt in a car accident or be attacked by an intruder. Separation anxiety in older children is usually dismissed by them.

Children who have anxiety about separation are often treated with behavioral therapy. It typically involves teaching children relaxation techniques and helping them learn to recognize and manage their anxieties. In some cases there is a mix of treatments, such as cognitive therapy, is used.

Adults should be consistent with their responses to children who are experiencing anxiety about separation. Children need to be aware that their pleas to parents not to let them go are not valid. They will only improve when they are given clear, unambiguous boundaries and assistance in overcoming their fears.