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 might also be concerned that being separated could have negative consequences, for example, being lost or hurt.

Children with separation anxiety disorder can get treatment through psychotherapy and medications. The child is taught to handle the fearful situations slowly, and with confidence.

Signs and symptoms

Separation anxiety disorder is more intense than normal anxiety in the event of being separated from family and primary caregivers. People suffering from this disorder fear that their family member could be the victim of a tragic incident when they are separated. This could mean that they get lost or becoming sick. They may also be fearful of other circumstances that could cause separation from their loved ones such as being kidnapped or having a an accident in a vehicle.

The first signs of this anxiety disorder typically begins in childhood, though adults can be affected at any age. It's unclear what causes adult separation anxiety, but it can be caused by significant life changes or prior mental health issues like depression and anxiety disorder or PTSD. The people who suffer from this condition can feel overly dependent on their spouses or children and exhibit poor boundaries. Some may see them as being too clingy or demanding.

This condition is characterized by excessive anxiety when a person is separated from their family, significant stress while away from home or at work, and recurrent dreams of separation. These symptoms can lead people to avoid travel or other activities that entail physical separation from their families, like going to school. Children with this condition may have difficulty sleeping or suffer from a range of physical issues including headaches or stomach pains when they are worried about being on their own.

To diagnose this disorder, medical professionals will inquire about your or your child's past and current symptoms. They will also inquire about your family and other relationships to find out how you've faced separation anxiety in the past.

Talk therapy and, in certain instances, medication are used to treat this disorder. Your therapist will show you and your children how to cope with the fear. They can also assist you approach situations that are feared through a step-by-step method that will help your child learn how to cope with separations and increase their confidence. The medications can calm the mind and relax the body to help ease your child's fears.

Diagnosis

A person suffering from separation anxiety is likely to experience extreme anxiety when they are away from their home or close attachment figures. Unlike normal fear and worry that many people feel these symptoms disorder can be persistent, typically lasting for more than four weeks in children and more than six months for adults. They can cause significant disruption to daily life and function at school and work. The condition can also hinder with a person's ability to form romantic relationships and socialize.

A mental health professional will interview and examine the patient's behavior to determine the cause of the disorder. The healthcare provider will want know when the symptoms started and what anxiety disorder feels like makes them worse or better. A mental health professional will ask about recent events and trauma history, depending on the age of the person.

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

It is a challenge to identify separation anxiety disorder among adults, since there are no lab tests and the symptoms may be similar to other phobias. Separation anxiety and eating disorders disorder is more prevalent 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 in their childhood are more likely to suffer from generalized anxiety disorder therapies and depression in adulthood.

Separation anxiety disorder can be treated in a variety of ways. Treatment, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) as well as medications, like selective serotonin receptor inhibitors and antidepressants, can help overcome their fears. Parents suffering from this disorder can benefit from techniques and education to improve their relationship with their child.

Treatment

While many children go through a phase where they are anxious and clingy to strangers When this fear persists into elementary school and beyond and is manifested as physical symptoms and affects daily functioning, it may be an indication of separation anxiety disorder. According to BetterHelp an online therapy service for children the disorder of separation anxiety disorder test affects up to 4% with a median age of 7 years.

Your child's healthcare provider will conduct a thorough examination to identify any physical issues that could be causing anxiety. If no physical problems are found the healthcare provider of your child will refer them to a mental health professional with experience in treating anxiety disorders. This will likely be a child psychiatrist or psychologist.

Psychotherapy, also referred to as talk therapy, is often the first treatment option for separation anxiety disorder. The therapy therapist will assist your child to help them develop healthy ways of managing their emotions, boosting confidence and independence, as well as building their resilience. The therapist will educate parents on ways to help their child with anxiety. Separation anxiety disorder is typically treated with medication, including antidepressants like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).

Depending on your child's specific needs, their therapy therapist will determine which options are appropriate for the child. For instance, children who suffer from severe anxiety might benefit from a combination of cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) and exposure therapy. This means gradually exposing your child to the situations that trigger anxiety over time in small steps until they are comfortable.

Often, children with separation anxiety disorder will improve as they age and their symptoms decrease. Some adults may still suffer from symptoms of separation disorder throughout their adult lives. This could make it difficult for them to keep relationships or pursue certain career goals, such as returning to college or moving for work. Adults with separation disorder are more likely to develop co-occurring disorders, such as depression, phobias, or post-traumatic disorder.

The following is a list of preventions.

For many children who are anxious about separation, it is a normal part of development. However, for some it can turn into an issue that causes problems with their lives and prevents them from participating in activities they enjoy. Talk to a mental health professional if your child's anxiety is affecting their daily life.

Children with separation anxiety disorder suffer extreme stress when they are separated from their parents or other important relationships. They are constantly concerned about being kidnapped or lost, or that an accident will cause them to lose those closest to them. They might also have a hard time sleeping on their own at night or refusing to go to school, camp, or play dates without their parents.

Doctors will not diagnose separation anxiety until the symptoms of a child have lasted at minimum four weeks. Most often, the healthcare professional will interview the child and parents in a separate interview to get an entire picture of the situation. They might also inquire about anxiety disorders that are not related to separation anxiety or family history, as well as life changes that might have triggered or made the separation anxiety worse.

Treatment for separation anxiety disorder differs based on the child's age, and the severity of symptoms. Children express their anxiety by worrying about their attachment figures. For instance they might worry that their parents might be involved in a car accident or attacked by burglars. By contrast older children with separation anxiety usually deny that they are anxious about leaving the house.

Children with separation anxiety are often treated using behavioral therapy. It involves teaching relaxation techniques to children, and helping them recognize and control their anxiety. In some cases it is necessary to combine treatments, such as cognitive therapy, is used.

Adults must be consistent in their responses to children experiencing anxiety about separation. Kids need to know that their pleas for parents to stay home aren't valid, and they will only improve if they're provided with clear, definite boundaries and a lot of support while they work to overcome their fears.