Children and Teens With Separation Anxiety Disorder

Separation anxiety disorder affects children and adolescents who worry frequently when they are not from their parents, caregivers or other significant people. They may also worry that separation could have negative consequences, such as getting hurt or lost.

Children suffering from separation anxiety can get treatment through psychotherapy and medication. The child is taught to approach feared situations slowly, with reassurance.

Symptoms

Although some anxiety about being away from loved ones is normal separation anxiety disorder can cause people more anxious than others when it comes to being separated from family members and primary caregiving figures. People with this condition fear that their family member will suffer a tragic event when they are separated. This could mean that they get lost or getting sick. They might also be worried about other situations that can separate them from their loved ones, like being kidnapped or being involved in a car accident.

The onset of this disorder typically begins in the early years of childhood, but adults can be affected at any age. Adult separation anxiety isn't thought to be caused by any specific factor however it can be triggered by changes in life such as depression, depression, or PTSD. People with this condition can feel overly dependent on their children or their romantic partners and display a lack of boundaries. Others may view them as being overly clingy or demanding.

The symptoms of this condition include excessive distress when someone is separated from their family, severe distress when they're away from home or work and frequent nightmares about separation. These symptoms can lead people to avoid traveling or other activities that entail the physical separation of their families, like going to school. Children with this condition may have difficulty sleeping or experience a variety of physical issues, such as headaches or stomachaches, in the event of anxiety about being left alone.

To diagnose this disorder, the healthcare professional will inquire about your or your child's past and current symptoms. They will also inquire about your family, and other relationships to determine how you've faced separation anxiety in the past.

Treatment for this disorder consists of talking therapy and, in some instances medications. Your therapist will teach you and your child how to cope with their fears. They can help you and your child understand how to handle separations in a step-by- steps. Medications can help to calm the brain and relax the body which can help ease your child's anxiety.

Diagnosis

Separation anxiety disorder causes people to experience extreme stress when they are away from their home or relatives. 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 up to six months in adults, and they can cause significant disruption to daily life and function at work and school. It can also impact a person's socialization and ability to establish romantic relationships.

To determine the cause of this disorder A mental health professional will interview the patient and observe the patient's behavior. The provider will want to know when the symptoms started and what triggers them to be more or less severe. A mental health professional will inquire about recent events and history of trauma dependent on the age of the person.

The provider will also determine whether there is a medical condition that could cause similar symptoms. It could be a condition such as cancer, or an underlying neurological disorder, such as multiple sclerosis or cerebral palsy. Other possible causes are familial adversities in childhood such as mental illness, substance abuse, child abuse, domestic violence and neglect, and experiences with trauma like natural catastrophes or war, sexual assault or the death of a loved one.

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 phobias. Separation anxiety disorder is more prevalent for adults who have had trauma or a significant loss. Some studies indicate that people who suffer from separation disorders in childhood may be more likely to develop anxiety and depression disorders as adults.

Several treatment options are available to those suffering from separation generalized anxiety disorder symptoms disorder. There are a variety of treatment options available to those suffering from. People suffering from separation anxiety disorder can overcome their phobia through therapy, such a cognitive behavioral treatment (CBT) or prescription medications such as selective serotonin receptor antagonists and antidepressants. People suffering from this disorder usually benefit from parental education and techniques to improve the quality of their relationship with their children.

Treatment

Separation anxiety disorder is diagnosed when children's fear of strangers and clinginess is persistent throughout elementary school, is associated with physical symptoms and impedes everyday functioning. According to BetterHelp, an online therapy service for children that treat separation anxiety disorder, it affects up to 4%, with a median age of 7 years old.

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

Psychotherapy (also known as talk therapy) is typically the first treatment for separation anxiety disorder. The Therapist will assist your child to help them learn healthy ways of managing their feelings, increasing confidence and independence, as well as developing resilience. The therapist will also educate parents on how to help their child and aid them deal with their anxiety. Separation anxiety disorder is typically treated with medication, such as antidepressants like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).

Based on the specific needs of your child's needs, their therapist will determine which treatment options are most appropriate for them. Children who suffer from severe anxiety, for example, may benefit from a combination 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 become comfortable.

As children get older their symptoms tend to decrease. Some adults may still experience symptoms of separation disorder in their adulthood. This can make it difficult for them to maintain relationships or to pursue certain career goals, such as going back to college or relocating to work. Adults suffering from Separation anxiety disorder symptoms in adults anxiety disorder have a high rate of co-occurring disorders, including other types of anxiety disorders, depression, phobias and post-traumatic stress disorder, and a range of substance use disorders.

The following is a list of preventions.

For many kids, separation anxiety is an inevitable part of the development process. For others, it can become an issue that is serious and can interfere with their lives and prevents them from participating in activities they enjoy. If your child's anxiety is disrupting their routine consult an expert in mental health.

Separation anxiety disorder is a condition in which children suffer from extreme distress when separated from parents or other figures of attachment. They have persistent fears about being abducted, lost or experiencing an accident that could lead to the loss of loved ones to them. They might also have a hard time sleeping at night on their own or they may refuse to go to camp, school or play dates without their parents.

A child's separation anxiety symptoms must last at least four weeks before a doctor can diagnose the problem. Most often, the healthcare professional will interview the child and parents separately to obtain a full picture of the situation. They might ask questions regarding other anxiety disorders or life changes such as family history or life events that might have triggered the separation anxiety.

Treatment for separation anxiety is determined by the age of the child and the severity of the symptoms. Children who are younger tend to express their anxiety through specific concerns about harm to their family members, such as being worried that their parents will get in a car accident or be attacked by an intruder. By contrast older children with separation anxiety often deny they have any anxiety about leaving the house.

Children who suffer from separation anxiety are often treated with behavioral therapy. It involves teaching relaxation techniques to children and helping them understand and manage their anxiety. In some instances 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 over separation. Kids need to know that their pleas for parents to stay home are not valid, and they'll only get better if they're given clear, precise boundaries and support as they work to overcome their fears.