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10 Things We All Hate About Anxiety Disorder Separation
Children and Teens With Separation Anxiety Disorder

Children and adolescents who suffer from separation anxiety disorder are anxious about being apart from their parents, caregivers or other important people in their lives. They might also be concerned that being separated could have negative consequences, for example, being hurt or lost.

Psychotherapy and medication can be used to treat children with separation anxiety disorders . Therapy includes teaching the child to approach feared situations gradually, with reassurance and support.

Signs and symptoms

Separation anxiety disorder is more severe than normal anxiety in relation to being separated from family members and primary caregivers. People with this condition fear that their family member could suffer a tragic event when they are separated. This could mean getting lost or becoming sick. They might also be afraid of other situations that could make them separated from their loved one, for example, being kidnapped or getting into a an accident in a vehicle.

The onset of this disorder usually occurs in the earliest years of life, however adults can develop it at any time. It's unclear what causes separation anxiety in adults however it could be triggered by major life changes or by previous mental health issues, such as depression or PTSD. People suffering from this disorder may be overly dependent on children or their romantic partners, and lack boundaries. Some may view them as being too clingy and demanding.

The symptoms of this condition include excessive distress when a person is separated from their family, significant distress when they are away from their home or at work and frequent nightmares of separation. These symptoms can cause people to avoid traveling or engaging in other activities that involve a physical separation from family members, such as returning to school. Children with this condition may have difficulty sleeping or experience a variety of physical problems like headaches or stomachaches, when they are worried about being on their own.

A healthcare professional will inquire with you about your past and current symptoms, or those of your child in order to determine if you suffer from separation anxiety. They will also inquire about your family and other relationships to see how you have dealt with separation anxiety in the past.


Treatment for this disorder consists of talk therapy and, in some cases medication. Your therapist can teach you and your child methods to manage their fears. They can also guide you deal with situations that scare you in a step-by-step process that can help your child understand how to deal with separations and increase their confidence. The medicines can help calm the mind, relax the body and ease your child's anxieties.

Diagnosis

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

A mental health professional will interview and observe the patient's behavior to diagnose this disorder. The provider will want to know when the symptoms started and what makes them more or less severe. Based on the age of the patient, a mental health professional might also inquire about recent events that may have caused stress and any history of trauma.

The doctor will also determine if there is another medical condition that can cause similar symptoms. It could be a condition such as cancer, or a neurological disorder like multiple sclerosis or cerebral palsy. Other possible causes include childhood family adversities, such as parental mental illness, addiction to drugs domestic violence, child abuse and neglect, and exposure to traumatic events, such as natural catastrophes and war, sexual assault or the death of a loved one.

The diagnosis of separation anxiety disorder in adults is more difficult because there aren't any laboratory tests for the condition and it can share many symptoms with other fears. Separation anxiety disorder is more frequent among adults who have suffered an emotional trauma or a major 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 as they age.

A variety of treatment options are available to those suffering from separation anxiety disorder. There are a variety of treatment options available to those suffering from. People suffering from separation anxiety disorder can overcome their fear through therapy, like a cognitive behavioral treatment (CBT) or medication like selective serotonin antagonists and antidepressants. People suffering from this disorder typically benefit from parent education and techniques to improve their relationship with their children.

Treatment

Although many children go through a phase where they are clingy and fearful of strangers, when this anxiety persists throughout elementary school and beyond, is associated with physical symptoms, and affects daily functioning it could 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 diagnosed in kids, affecting up to 4% of them, with an age at onset of around 7 years.

Your child's doctor will conduct an extensive exam to rule out physical problems that could be causing anxiety. If no physical issues are discovered then the healthcare provider for your child will refer them to an expert in anxiety disorders. It could be a psychologist or child psychiatrist.

Psychotherapy (also called talk therapy) is usually the first option for treating separation anxiety disorder. The therapist will work with your child to teach them healthy ways of managing their emotions, boosting confidence in themselves and their independence, and building their resilience. The therapist will also instruct parents on how to assist their child and assist them cope with their anxiety. Separation anxiety disorder is typically treated with medication, such as antidepressants such as selective serotoninin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).

The therapist will determine the best treatment option for your child based on their individual needs. Children with severe anxiety, for example, may benefit from a combination of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and exposure therapy. This is the process of gradually expose your child to situations that trigger anxiety in small steps until they are comfortable.

As children age their symptoms tend to decrease. However, some adults could continue to have symptoms of separation anxiety disorder throughout their adult lives. This makes it difficult for them to maintain relationships or pursue certain career goals, such as going back to college or relocating for work. Adults who suffer from separation anxiety have a high percentage of co-occurring conditions like other types of anxiety disorders , depression and phobias, post-traumatic stress disorder, and a variety of substance use disorders.

Prevention

Separation anxiety is common in many children. For others, separation anxiety can be a serious issue that interferes in their lives and prevents participation in the activities they enjoy. Consult a mental health specialist if your child's fear affects their daily routine.

Children suffering from separation anxiety disorder experience extreme distress when separated from their parents or other major attachment figures. They have persistent fears about being lost, kidnapped or experiencing an accident that could lead to the loss of those closest to them. They may also have trouble falling asleep alone at night or they may refuse to go to camp, school or play dates with their parents.

The symptoms of separation anxiety in children must last for at least 4 weeks before a doctor can determine the cause. Most often, the healthcare professional will interview the child and their parents separately to get an entire picture of the situation. They might ask questions regarding other anxiety disorders or life changes such as family history and life events that may have triggered the separation anxiety.

Treatment for separation anxiety is determined according to 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 attachment figures, such as the fear that their parents might be hurt in a car crash or be attacked by burglars. Separation anxiety in older children is frequently ignored by them.

Children with separation anxiety are often treated with behavioral therapy. It typically involves teaching children relaxation techniques and assisting them in learning to recognize and manage their fears. In some instances, a mixture of therapies, including cognitive therapy, is employed.

It's crucial for adults to be consistent in their responses to children's separation anxiety. Children need to be taught that their requests for parents to stay home are not valid, and they'll only improve if they're given clear, firm boundaries and a helping hand as they try to overcome their fears.

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