Children and Teens With Separation Anxiety Disorder

Children and adolescents suffering from separation gerd anxiety disorder disorder are anxious about being away from their parents, caregivers or other important people in their lives. They may also worry about the possible negative effects of separation, such as being lost or getting hurt.

Children suffering from separation anxiety can be treated with therapy and medication. The child is taught to handle difficult situations slowly, with confidence.

Signs and symptoms

Although some anxiety about being away from loved ones is normal separation anxiety disorder can cause people more anxious than other people when it comes to being separated from family members and primary caregiving figures. People suffering from this disorder fear that their family member will be the victim of a tragic event if they are separated. This could mean getting lost or getting sick. They might also be afraid of other situations that could separate them from their loved one, for example, being kidnapped or getting into a a car accident.

The onset of this anxiety disorder typically occurs in the early years of childhood, but adults can be affected at any age. Adult separation anxiety is not thought to be caused by anything specific however it could be triggered by changes in life, depression, or PTSD. The people who suffer from this condition can feel overly dependent on their children or romantic partners and display a lack of boundaries. Some may view them as overly demanding and clingy.

This condition is characterized by extreme distress when one is cut off from family, significant distress while away from home or at work, and frequent dreams of separation. These symptoms can cause people to avoid traveling or other activities that require a physical separation from their families, such as going to school. Children with this condition may experience physical problems such as stomach pains if they worry about being on their own.

A healthcare professional will inquire with you about your current and past 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 determine how you've dealt with separation anxiety before.

Talk therapy and, in some instances, medications are used to treat this disorder. Your therapist will instruct you and your children how to deal with the fears. They can help you and your child to learn to manage separations in a step by procedure. The medicines can help calm the brain, relax the body and reduce your child's anxiety.

Diagnosis

Separation anxiety disorder causes a person to feel 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 for more than four weeks for children and more than six months in adults, and they can cause significant disruption to daily life and function at work and school. The condition can also interfere with a person's ability form romantic relationships and socialize.

A mental health professional will interview and observe the patient's behavior to diagnose the disorder. The provider will want to know when the symptoms started and what triggers them to be worse or better. Depending on the individual's age an expert in mental health may also ask about recent events that could have caused stress, as well as any past trauma.

The doctor will also determine whether there is a medical condition that could cause similar symptoms. This could be due to an illness like cancer, or an underlying neurological disorder, such as cerebral palsy or multiple sclerosis. Other causes are family problems like mental illness in the family or substance abuse, domestic violence and neglect and abuse of children.

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 common for adults who have had an emotional trauma or a major loss. There are studies that suggest that those who were diagnosed with separation anxiety disorder as children are more likely to suffer from anxiety and depression later in life.

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 with separation anxiety disorder can overcome their fear through therapy, like a cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or prescription medications like selective serotonin receptor antagonists and antidepressants. People with this disorder often benefit from education for parents and methods to improve their relationship with their children.

Treatment

Separation anxiety disorder can be diagnosed when the child's fear of being around strangers and clinginess continues throughout the elementary school years, and is associated with physical symptoms, and affects daily functioning. According to BetterHelp an online therapy service for children that treat separation anxiety disorder, it is a problem that affects as many as 4% of children and has an average age of 7 years.

Your child's healthcare professional will conduct a thorough exam to identify any physical issues that may be causing their anxiety. If no physical problems are discovered then the healthcare provider for your child will refer them to an expert in anxiety disorders. For children who are ill, this could be a child psychologist or psychiatrist.

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 emotions, building self-confidence and independence, and building their resilience. The therapist will also train parents on how they can assist their child and assist them cope with their anxiety. The use of medication, like selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are typically prescribed along with psychotherapy for separation anxiety disorder.

The therapist will determine the best treatment option for your child based on their specific needs. For example, children with severe anxiety might benefit from a combination of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and exposure therapy. This involves gradually exposing your child to the situations that cause anxiety in small steps until they feel comfortable.

As children get older their symptoms typically decrease. However, some adults may suffer from symptoms of separation disorder in their adult life. It can be difficult for them maintain relationships or to pursue certain career goals such as returning to school or moving to work. Adults who suffer from separation disorder are more likely to have co-occurring disorders such as depression, phobias and post-traumatic disorder.

Prevention

For many children who are anxious about separation, it is a normal part of development. But for others, it can become a serious problem that interferes with their lives and stops them from participating in activities they like. Consult a mental health professional if your child's anxiety is affecting their daily life.

Children suffering from separation anxiety disorder suffer extreme stress when they are separated from their parents or other major relationships. They are constantly worried about being snatched away, missing or having an accident that will lead to the loss of those closest to them. They might be having a difficult time sleeping at night on their own or refusing to go to camp, school or play dates with their parents.

A child's separation anxiety symptoms should last for at least four weeks before a physician can determine the cause. Often, the healthcare provider will interview the child and parents separately to get a full picture of the situation. They may ask about anxiety disorders that are not related to separation anxiety or family history as well as life changes that might have caused or made separation anxiety worse.

Treatment for anxiety disorder cognitive behavioral therapy disorder separation differs depending on 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 like the fear that their parents could be injured in a car crash or be attacked by a burglar. Separation anxiety in older children is frequently dismissed by them.

Children who have anxiety about separation are often treated with behavioral therapy. It involves teaching relaxation techniques to children and assisting them to identify and manage their anxiety. In some instances it is necessary to combine therapies is used, including cognitive therapy and medication.

It is crucial for adults to be consistent in their responses to children's anxiety about separation. Children need to understand that their pleas to parents not to let them go are not valid. They will only improve if they receive clear, firm boundaries, and help in conquering their fears.