Children and Teens With Separation Anxiety Disorder

Children and adolescents suffering from separation anxiety disorder worry excessively about being away from their parents, caregivers or other important people in their lives. They may also worry that being separated could have negative consequences, best medicine for generalized anxiety disorder example, getting hurt or lost.

Psychotherapy and medications can be used to treat children suffering from separation anxiety disorder symptoms in adults anxiety disorders. Therapy focuses on teaching children to manage fearful situations gradually with encouragement and support.

Symptoms

Although some phobic anxiety disorder about being separated from loved ones is normal separation phobic anxiety disorder disorder can cause people more anxious than other people when it comes to separating from family members and primary caregiving figures. People who suffer from this condition are afraid that something terrible could happen to their family member if they are separated, for example, getting lost or becoming ill. They might also be afraid of other situations that could keep them from their loved ones, like being kidnapped or being involved in an accident.

The onset of this anxiety disorder usually occurs in the early years of childhood, but adults can develop it at any time. It's not known what causes separation anxiety in adults, but it can be triggered by major life changes or prior mental health issues such as depression or PTSD. The sufferers of this disorder might feel overly dependent on their children or their romantic partners, and may lack boundaries. Others may perceive them as being too demanding or clingy.

The signs of this disorder include extreme stress when a person is cut off from their family, severe distress when they're away from work or home and frequent nightmares of separation. These symptoms can cause people to avoid travel or other activities that entail a physical separation from their families, for example, going to school. Children with this condition may have difficulty sleeping or suffer from a range of physical issues, such as headaches or stomach pains when they worry about being on their own.

To diagnose this disorder a healthcare provider will ask 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 dealt with separation anxiety before.

Talk therapy and, in certain instances, medication are utilized to treat this disorder. Your therapist can teach you and your child methods to manage their fears. They can help you and your child to learn how to deal with separations in a step-by- procedure. Medicines can help to relax the brain and relax the body which can ease the anxiety of your child.

Diagnosis

Separation anxiety disorder can cause a person to feel extreme distress if they are away from their home or family members. Contrary to the normal fears and anxieties that most people suffer from these symptoms disorder can be persistent, typically lasting for more than four weeks for children, and up to more than six months in adults. They cause major disruption to the daily routine and functioning at school and work. The condition can also interfere with a person's ability establish romantic relationships and socialize.

A mental health professional will interview and examine the patient's behavior to diagnose the disorder. The provider will ask when symptoms started and what causes them to worsen or improve. Based on the age of the patient an expert in mental health might also inquire about any recent events that could have caused stress, as well as any previous trauma history.

The provider will also determine whether there is another medical condition that may cause similar symptoms. It could be a condition such as cancer, or a neurological disorder like cerebral palsy or multiple sclerosis. Other causes include family traumas like parental mental illnesses, domestic violence, abuse of substances and child neglect and abuse.

Diagnosis of separation anxiety disorder in adults is more difficult, because there aren't any laboratory tests for the condition, and it may have a variety of symptoms with other phobias. Separation anxiety disorder is more frequent among adults who have suffered a traumatic experience or significant loss. Certain studies suggest that those who were diagnosed with separation anxiety disorder as children are more likely to suffer from anxiety and depression as they age.

There are a variety of treatment options available for people with 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 with therapy, like a cognitive behavioral treatment (CBT) or medication like selective serotonin receptor antagonists and antidepressants. People suffering from this disorder usually benefit from parental education and techniques to improve their relationship with their children.

Treatment

Separation anxiety disorder is diagnosed when the child's fear of being around strangers and clinginess persists throughout the elementary school years, and is accompanied with physical symptoms and impedes everyday functioning. In fact, according to the BetterHelp online therapy service that separation anxiety disorder is the most frequent anxiety disorder that is diagnosed in children with up to 4 percent of them, with a onset age of 7 years old.

Your child's doctor will conduct an extensive exam to rule out physical problems that could cause anxiety. If no physical problems are found the doctor who treats your child will refer them to an expert in mental health who has experience in treating anxiety disorders. For children it will likely be a psychiatrist or child psychologist.

Psychotherapy, also referred to as talk therapy, is typically the first option of treatment for separation anxiety disorder. The Therapist will help your child learn how to manage their feelings and increase self-confidence, independence, and build resilience. The therapist will also educate parents on how they can help their child with anxiety. Separation anxiety disorder is often treated with medication, including antidepressants, such as selective serotoninin receptor inhibitors (SSRIs).

Based on the specific needs of your child's needs, their therapist will determine which treatment options are most appropriate for their specific needs. For instance, children suffering from severe anxiety 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 by introducing them in small increments until they are comfortable with them.

As children age their symptoms tend to decrease. However, some adults may experience symptoms of separation disorder in their adult life. This makes it difficult to maintain relationships or achieve certain career goals, like returning to school or relocating for work. Adults who suffer from separation disorder are more likely to have co-occurring disorders such as depression, phobias, or post-traumatic disorder.

The following is a list with preventions.

For many children who are anxious about separation, it is a normal part of development. 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 specialist if your child's fear is affecting their daily life.

Children suffering from separation anxiety disorder medication disorder experience extreme distress when separated from their parents or other significant family members. They are always worried about being kidnapped, or lost or that an accident could cause them to lose those closest to themselves. They might be having a difficult time falling asleep alone at night, or they might refuse to go to camps, school, or play dates without their parents.

The signs of separation anxiety in children must last at least four weeks before a physician can diagnose the problem. The healthcare professional may interview both the child and parents individually to get the full picture. They might ask questions regarding other anxiety disorders or changes in the life like family history and life events that might have triggered the separation anxiety.

Treatment for anxiety disorder separation varies according to the child's age and the severity of the symptoms. Children who are younger usually express their anxiety through specific concerns about harm to their loved ones like being worried that their parents might be hurt in a car crash or be attacked by an intruder. In contrast older children with separation anxiety usually deny that they are anxious about leaving the house.

Behavioral therapy is a common treatment for children suffering from separation anxiety. It typically involves teaching children relaxation techniques and helping them learn to recognize and control their anxieties. In some instances it is necessary to combine treatments is employed, such as cognitive therapy and medication.

Adults should be consistent in their responses to children who are experiencing anxiety over separation. Kids need to know that their pleas for parents to not leave 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.