Children and Teens With Separation Anxiety Disorder

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

Children with separation anxiety disorder are treated through psychotherapy and medications. Therapy focuses on teaching children to approach feared situations gradually, with reassurance and support.

Signs and symptoms

Separation anxiety disorder is more intense than normal anxiety when it comes to being separated from family and primary caregivers. 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 that they get lost or falling ill. They might also be scared of other circumstances that could make them separated from their loved ones including being abducted or having a car accident.

The first signs of this anxiety disorder usually occurs in the early years of childhood, but adults can be affected at any age. It isn't known what causes separation anxiety in adults however, it could be triggered by major life changes or previous mental health issues, like depression or PTSD. The people who suffer from this condition may be overly dependent on their children or their romantic partners and display a lack of boundaries. Others may perceive them as being too demanding or clingy.

The symptoms of this condition include a high level of distress when a person is cut off from their family members, severe distress when they are away from home or work and frequent nightmares of separation. These symptoms can make people avoid traveling or other activities that involve the physical separation of their families, like going to school. Children who suffer from this condition might experience physical problems such as headaches or stomach pains if they worry about being left alone.

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

Treatment for this disorder includes talking therapy and, in certain cases, medication. Your therapist can show you and your child ways to manage their fears. They can assist you and your child to understand how to handle separations in a step by steps. Medicines can help to relax the brain and relax the body which can ease your child's anxiety.

Diagnosis

A person suffering from separation anxiety disorder is likely to experience extreme anxiety when apart from the home or close family members. The symptoms of separation anxiety are more persistent than normal anxiety and fear. They can last for up to six months for adults and for up to four weeks in children. They cause major disruptions in daily life at school, work, and home. It can also affect the social anxiety disorder cognitive behavioral therapy 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 doctor will inquire about when symptoms began and what triggers them to worsen or improve. Based on the age of the patient the mental health professional might also inquire about any recent events that might have caused stress and any history of trauma.

The provider will also try 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 family-related adversities that affect children like parental mental illness, addiction to drugs or domestic violence, child abuse and neglect, and exposure to traumatizing events such as natural disasters and sexual assault, war, or the death of a loved one.

It is difficult to diagnose separation anxiety disorder in adults, since there are no tests for it and the symptoms may be similar to those of other treating anxiety disorders disorders. Separation anxiety disorder is more common for adults who have had a traumatic experience or significant loss. Some studies indicate that people who suffer from separation disorders in their early years may be more likely to develop anxiety and depression disorders later on in their lives.

Separation anxiety disorder can be treated in many ways. People with separation anxiety disorder can overcome their fear through therapy, like a cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or medication like selective serotonin 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

Although many children go through a phase that makes them clingy and fearful of strangers, when this anxiety persists throughout the elementary years and beyond and is manifested as physical symptoms and interferes with daily functioning it could be an indication of separation anxiety disorder. According to the BetterHelp online therapy service the disorder of separation anxiety is the most common anxiety disorder seen in children that affects up to 4 percent of them with a onset age of about 7 years.

Your child's healthcare provider will perform a thorough exam to identify any physical issues that could be causing anxiety. If no physical problems are found, the healthcare provider for your child will refer them to an expert in 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 option of treatment for separation anxiety disorder. The Therapist will help your child discover healthy ways to manage their feelings to increase self-confidence, confidence and independence, as well as build resilience. The therapist will also educate parents on ways they can aid their child suffering from anxiety. Separation anxiety disorder is typically treated by medication, for example antidepressants, such as selective serotoninin receptor inhibitors (SSRIs).

The therapist will determine which treatment option is best med for generalized anxiety disorder for your child based on their individual needs. Children who suffer from severe generalised anxiety disorder, like could benefit from a mix of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) as well as exposure therapy. This is the process of gradually expose your child to situations that trigger anxiety over time in a series of small steps until they become comfortable.

Typically, children suffering from separation anxiety disorder will improve as they age and their symptoms diminish. However, some adults could continue to have symptoms of separation anxiety throughout their adult lives. This can make it difficult for them to keep relationships or to pursue certain career goals, like going back to college or relocating to work. Adults suffering from separation disorder are more likely to suffer from co-occurring disorders such as depression, phobias, or post-traumatic disorder.

The following is a list of preventatives.

Separation anxiety is common in many children. For some, separation anxiety can be a major issue that interferes in their lives and prevents them from participating in activities they enjoy. Speak to a mental healthcare professional if your child's fear is affecting their daily life.

Separation generalized anxiety disorder symptoms disorder is a condition in which children experience extreme anxiety when they are separated from their parents or other family members. They are always worried about being lost, kidnapped, or having an accident that will lead to the loss of those closest to them. They may have trouble falling asleep at night or refusing to go to school, play dates or camp without their parents.

The symptoms of separation anxiety in children must last for at least 4 weeks before a physician can diagnose the condition. Often, the healthcare provider will interview the child and parents separately to obtain an accurate picture of the situation. They may ask questions regarding other anxiety disorders or changes in life like family history or life events that could trigger the separation anxiety.

Treatment for anxiety disorder separation varies according to the age of the child and the severity of the symptoms. Children express anxiety by worrying about their attachment figures. For instance they might worry that their parents could be involved in a car accident or harmed by burglars. Separation anxiety in older children is usually denied by them.

Behavioral therapy is a popular treatment for children suffering from separation anxiety. It usually involves teaching children relaxation techniques and helping them learn to recognize and manage their anxieties. In some instances it is necessary to combine therapies is used, including medication and cognitive therapy.

It is crucial for adults to be consistent in their responses to children's separation anxiety. Children need to understand that their parents' pleas not to leave them are not valid. They can only grow by receiving clear, definite boundaries and help in overcoming their fears.