Children and Teens With Separation Anxiety Disorder
Separation anxiety disorders affect children and adolescents who fret overly when they are away from their caregivers, parents or other significant people. They may also worry that separation could result in negative consequences, for example, getting hurt or lost.
Children with separation anxiety disorder are treated through psychotherapy and medications. The child is taught to handle feared situations slowly, with confidence.
Signs and symptoms
Although some anxiety about being apart 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 who suffer from this disorder are concerned that something bad will happen to their family member if they are separated, such as being lost or getting sick. They might also be scared of other scenarios that could make them separated from their loved one, for example, being kidnapped or getting into a an accident with a car.
The onset of this disorder usually occurs in the early years of childhood, but adults can be affected at any time. It's not known what causes separation anxiety in adults however, it could be caused by major life changes or by previous mental health issues, such as depression or PTSD. People suffering from this disorder may feel a lot dependent on children or their romantic partners, and may lack boundaries. Others may perceive them as being overly demanding or clingy.
The signs of this disorder 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 about separation. These symptoms can cause people to avoid traveling or other activities that involve the physical separation of their families, for example, going to school. Children with this condition may suffer physical issues like stomach pains when they worry about being alone.
To diagnose disorders anxiety , a healthcare provider will ask about your or your child's previous and current symptoms. They will also inquire about your family and other relationships to determine how you have dealt with separation anxiety in the past.
Talk therapy and, in some instances, medications are used to treat this disorder. Your therapist can teach you and your child how to deal with their fears. They can also assist you approach situations that are feared through a step-by-step method that can help your child understand how to deal with separations and build their confidence. The use of medication can help calm the mind and relax the body, which can help ease the anxiety of your child.
Diagnosis
A person suffering from separation anxiety is likely to experience extreme anxiety when separated from home or close attachment figures. The symptoms of separation anxiety disorder are more persistent than normal anxiety and fear. They can last up to six months for adults and up to four weeks in children. They can cause major disruptions in daily life as well as school and work. It can also impact the social life of a person and their ability to form romantic relationships.
A mental health professional will interview and observe the patient's behavior in order to diagnose this disorder. The healthcare provider will ask when symptoms 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 have caused stress and any history of trauma.
The doctor will also determine if there is another medical condition that may cause similar symptoms. It could be due to an illness like cancer or a neurological disorder like multiple sclerosis or cerebral palsy. Other possible causes are familial adversities in childhood like parental mental illness, substance abuse or domestic violence, child abuse and neglect, as well as exposure to traumatizing events, such as natural disasters and sexual assault, war or the loss of a loved one.
It can be difficult to diagnose separation anxiety disorder in adults, as there aren't any lab tests and the symptoms may be similar to those of other fears. Anyone who develops separation anxiety disorder in adulthood typically does so after experiencing trauma or a significant loss. There are studies that suggest that those who have been diagnosed with separation anxiety disorder in childhood are more likely to be suffering from anxiety and depression in adulthood.
Several treatment options are available for those suffering from separation anxiety disorder. There are many treatment options available for people suffering from. People suffering from separation anxiety disorder can overcome their fear through therapy, like a cognitive behavioral treatment (CBT) or prescription medications such as selective serotonin receptor antagonists and antidepressants. People suffering from this disorder typically benefit from parental education and techniques to improve the quality of their relationship with their children.
Treatment
Separation anxiety disorder can be diagnosed when children's fear of strangers and clinginess persists throughout the elementary school years, and is accompanied with physical symptoms, and affects daily functioning. According to BetterHelp an online therapy service for children the disorder of separation anxiety 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 determine if there are any physical issues that may be causing their anxiety. If no physical issues 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 who are ill, this could be a child psychologist or psychiatrist.
Psychotherapy (also known as talk therapy) is usually the first treatment for separation anxiety disorder. The therapy therapist will work with your child to help them learn healthy ways of managing their feelings, increasing confidence in themselves and their independence, and developing resilience. The therapist will also train parents on how they can assist their child and assist them cope with their anxiety. Separation anxiety disorder is often treated with medication, such as antidepressants such as selective serotoninin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).
The therapist will decide the best treatment option for your child based on their individual needs. Children who suffer from severe anxiety, for example might benefit from a combination 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 feel comfortable with them.
As children age their symptoms tend to decrease. However, some adults might be suffering from separation anxiety throughout their adult lives. It can be challenging for them keep relationships going or to achieve certain career goals, such as returning to college or moving to work. Adults suffering from separation disorder are more likely to have co-occurring disorders like depression, phobias, and post-traumatic disorder.
The following is a list of preventatives.
Separation anxiety is a common occurrence in many children. For others, anxiety over separation can be a serious issue that interferes in their lives and prevents them from participating in activities they enjoy. Speak to a mental healthcare specialist if your child's fear affects their daily routine.
Separation anxiety disorder is a condition where children suffer from extreme anxiety when they are separated from their parents or other attachment figures. They have persistent fears about being abducted, lost or experiencing an accident that could cause the loss of loved ones to them. They may also have a hard time falling asleep alone at night or they may refuse to go to camp, school or play dates with their parents.
The signs of separation anxiety in children must last for at least 4 weeks before a doctor can diagnose the condition. The healthcare professional may interview both the child as well as the parents in a separate session to gather the complete picture. They may ask questions about other anxiety disorders or changes in the life like family history and life events that might trigger the separation anxiety.
Treatment for anxiety disorder separation varies depending on the child's age and the severity of the symptoms. Children who are younger usually express their anxiety through specific concerns about harm to their family members for example, the fear that their parents might be hurt in a car crash or be attacked by an intruder. In contrast older children with separation anxiety often deny they are worried about leaving home.
Children with separation anxiety are often treated with behavioral therapy. It involves teaching relaxation techniques to children and assisting them to recognize and control their anxiety. In some cases there is a mix of therapies, including cognitive therapy, is used.
Adults must be consistent in their responses to children who are experiencing separation anxiety. Children need to be taught that their pleas for parents not to leave are not valid and they will only improve if they're provided with clear, definite boundaries and support as they work to overcome their fears.