Children and Teens With Separation Anxiety Disorder

Separation anxiety disorder affects adolescents and children who worry frequently when they are not from their parents, caregivers or other significant people. They may also worry about a possible negative outcome of separation, such as being lost or getting hurt.

Psychotherapy and medications can be used to treat children suffering from separation anxiety disorder. Therapy focuses on teaching children to approach feared situations gradually with encouragement and support.

Symptoms

While some anxiety over being separated from loved ones is normal separation anxiety disorder causes people more anxious than others when it comes to being separated from family members and primary caregiving figures. People with this condition are afraid that something terrible could happen to their family member if they are separated, like getting lost or becoming ill. They might also be scared of other circumstances that could make them separated from their loved ones such as being kidnapped or having a a car accident.

The onset of this anxiety disorder typically begins in childhood, though adults can be affected at any time. Adult separation anxiety is not thought to be caused by a specific cause however it can be triggered by changes in life such as depression, depression, or PTSD. People who suffer from this condition may be overly dependent on their children or romantic partners and display a lack of boundaries. Others can view them as overly clingy and demanding.

This condition is characterized by extreme distress when one is cut off from their family, a significant amount of distress when away from home or working, and recurring thoughts of separation. These symptoms can make people avoid traveling or other activities that entail a physical separation from their families, like going to school. Children who suffer from this condition might experience physical problems such as headaches or stomach pains when they worry about being left alone.

A healthcare professional will inquire with you about your past and current symptoms, or those of your child in order to determine the cause of separation anxiety. They will ask you about your family, and other relationships, to see how you’ve been able to manage separation anxiety before.

Talk therapy and, in certain instances, medications are used to treat this disorder. Your therapist will teach you and your child ways to deal with their fears. They can also guide you deal with situations that scare you through a step-by-step method that can help your child understand how to deal with separations and increase their confidence. The use of medication can help calm the mind and relax the body which can ease your child’s anxiety.

Diagnosis

A person suffering from separation anxiety will feel extreme distress when they are away from their the home or close family members. Contrary to the normal fears and anxieties that people generally suffer from these symptoms disorder are persistent, often lasting for more than four weeks in children, and up to more than six months in adults, and they cause major disruption to daily life and function at school and work. The condition can also interfere with the ability of a person to establish romantic relationships and socialize.

To diagnose this disorder, a mental health professional will talk to the patient and observe the patient’s behavior. The doctor will want to determine when the symptoms began and what makes them worse or better. A mental health professional will inquire about recent events and trauma history in relation to the age of the patient.

The doctor will also attempt to determine whether the phobia is a result of another medical condition that may cause similar symptoms, such as an illness, like cancer or a neurological disorder like multiple sclerosis or cerebral palsy. Other causes include family traumas like mental illness of the parents, domestic violence, abuse of substances and neglect and abuse of children.

It is a challenge to identify separation anxiety disorder in adults because there are no tests for it and the symptoms may be similar to other phobias. Separation anxiety disorder is more prevalent among adults who have suffered an emotional trauma or a major loss. There are studies that suggest that those who were diagnosed with separation anxiety disorder in their childhood are more likely to suffer from depression and anxiety disorders in adulthood.

There are a variety of treatment options available for those suffering from separation anxiety disorder. There are a variety of treatment options available to those suffering from. Therapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and medications, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors as well as antidepressants, can help overcome their fears. Parents who suffer from this disorder can benefit from methods and training to improve their relationship with their child.

Treatment

While many children go through a phase when they become clingy and fearful of strangers If this fear persists through elementary school and beyond, is manifested as physical symptoms and interferes with daily functioning it could be a sign of separation anxiety disorder. According to the BetterHelp online therapy service that separation anxiety disorder is the most common anxiety disorder seen in children that affects up to 4% of them, with an onset age of 7 years old.

The doctor who treats your child will conduct a thorough examination to rule out physical problems that could be causing anxiety. If no physical issues are identified, your child’s healthcare provider will refer them to a mental health professional with expertise in anxiety disorders. For children, this will most likely be a psychiatrist or child psychologist.

Psychotherapy, also referred to as talk therapy, is usually the first option of treatment for separation anxiety disorder. The therapist will assist your child to help them develop healthy ways to manage their feelings, increasing self-confidence and independence, and building their resilience. The therapist will educate parents on how they can aid their child suffering from anxiety. Medication, including antidepressants such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are typically prescribed along with psychotherapy for separation anxiety disorder.

Based on the specific needs of your child’s needs, their counselor will determine what treatment options are best for their specific needs. Children with severe anxiety, like 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 over time, in small steps, until they feel at ease with them.

Often, children with separation anxiety disorder will improve as they age, and their symptoms will decrease. However, some adults may have symptoms of separation anxiety in their adult life. This makes it difficult for them to maintain relationships or achieve certain career goals, like going back to college or relocating for work. Adults who suffer from separation anxiety have a high percentage of co-occurring conditions, such as other anxiety disorders, depression and phobias, post-traumatic stress disorder, and a range of substance use disorders.

Prevention

For many children, separation anxiety is a normal part of development. For others, separation anxiety can be a serious issue that affects their lives and prevents them from participating in activities they love. If your child’s fears are disrupting their routine, talk to a mental health professional.

Separation anxiety disorder is a disorder in which children suffer from extreme anxiety when they are separated from their parents or other family members. They are always worried about being kidnapped or lost or that an accident might cause them to lose those closest to themselves. They may have trouble falling asleep at night or refuse to go to school, play dates or camp without parents.

Doctors are not able to diagnose separation anxiety until the signs of a child have lasted at minimum four weeks. Often, the healthcare provider will interview the child and their parents in a separate interview to get an accurate picture of the situation. They may inquire about other anxiety disorders or family history, as well as life events that could have triggered or made the separation anxiety worse.

Treatment for separation anxiety is determined by the child’s age and the severity of the symptoms. Children express their anxiety by worrying about their attachment figures. For disorders anxiety might be worried that their parents might be in a car crash or be attacked by burglars. Separation anxiety in older children is frequently ignored by them.

Children who have anxiety about separation are often treated using behavioral therapy. It usually involves teaching children relaxation techniques and assisting them in learning to recognize and manage their anxieties. In some instances, a mixture of treatments, such as cognitive therapy, is employed.

Adults must be consistent in their responses to children experiencing separation anxiety. Kids need to know that their pleas for parents to stay home aren’t valid, and they will only improve if given clear, precise boundaries and support as they work to overcome their fears.