Children and Teens With Separation Anxiety Disorder

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

Psychotherapy and medication are a great option to treat children suffering from separation anxiety disorders. Therapy includes teaching the child to deal with fearful situations slowly, with reassurance and support.

Signs and symptoms

Separation anxiety disorder is more severe than normal anxiety when it comes to being separated from family and primary caregivers. People who suffer from this disorder are concerned that something terrible could happen to their family member if they are separated, such as losing their way or falling ill. They might also be worried about other situations that can separate them from their loved ones like being kidnapped or being involved in an accident.

This anxiety disorder can affect people at any age. Adult separation anxiety isn't thought to be caused by a specific cause however it could be caused by life changes, depression, or PTSD. People with this condition may be overly dependent on their spouses or children and have trouble establishing boundaries. Some may see them as being too demanding or clingy.

The signs of this disorder include excessive distress when a person is cut off from their family, significant distress when they're away from home or work and frequent nightmares about separation. These symptoms can make people avoid traveling or other activities that require physical separation from family members, for example, returning to school. Children suffering from this condition could suffer physical issues such as headaches or stomach pains when they worry about being alone.

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

Talk therapy and, in a few instances, medication are used to treat this disorder. Your therapist will teach you and your children how to cope with the fear. They can assist you and your child understand how to handle separations in a step-by- procedure. The use of medication can help calm the brain and relax the body, which can help ease your child's anxiety.

Diagnosis

A person suffering from separation anxiety will experience extreme stress when separated from the home or close family members. The symptoms of separation anxiety disorder can be more severe than normal anxiety and anxiety and. They can last up to six months in adults and up to four weeks in children. They can cause major disruptions to daily life at school, work, and home. It can also impact a person's socialization and ability to establish romantic relationships.

A mental health professional will interview and examine the patient's behavior to determine the cause of the disorder. The provider will want to be aware of the time when symptoms began and what causes them to become worse or better. A mental health professional will inquire about recent events and trauma history dependent on the age of the person.

The provider will also try to determine whether the fear is a result of another medical condition that may cause similar symptoms, like an illness, like cancer or a neurological disorder like cerebral palsy or multiple-sclerosis. Other possible causes are childhood family adversities, such as parental mental illness, substance misuse, domestic violence, child abuse and neglect, and exposure to traumatizing events such as natural disasters or sexual assault, war, or the death of loved ones.

The diagnosis of separation anxiety disorder in adults is more difficult, as there are no lab tests for the condition, and it may have a variety of symptoms with other anxiety disorders. Anyone who develops separation anxiety disorders definition disorder in their adulthood typically does so after experiencing a traumatic event or significant loss. Certain studies suggest that those who were diagnosed with separation anxiety disorder as children are more likely to suffer from depression and anxiety disorders later in life.

Several treatment options are available for people with separation anxiety disorder. People with separation anxiety disorder can overcome their fear with therapy, like a cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), or medications like selective serotonin antagonists and antidepressants. Parents with this disorder can benefit from strategies and education to strengthen their relationship with their child.

Treatment

Separation anxiety disorder may be diagnosed when the child's fear of being around strangers and clinginess continues throughout the elementary school years, and is manifested by physical symptoms, and affects everyday functioning. According to BetterHelp, an online therapy service for children the disorder of separation anxiety can affect up to 4% of children and has a median age of 7 years old.

Your child's healthcare provider will conduct a thorough examination to rule out any physical problems that may be causing their anxiety. If no physical ailments are discovered, the healthcare provider for your child will refer them to an anxiety disorder specialist. This will likely be a psychologist or child psychiatrist.

Psychotherapy, also referred to as talk therapy, is usually the first treatment option for separation anxiety disorder. The therapy therapist will assist your child to learn healthy ways to manage their emotions and increase self-confidence and independence, and build resilience. The therapist will also educate parents on ways they can help their child with anxiety. Separation anxiety disorder is typically treated by medication, for example antidepressants like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).

Depending on your child's specific needs, their therapist will determine which treatment options are most appropriate for their specific needs. For instance, children suffering from extreme anxiety may benefit from a combination of cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) and exposure therapy. This means exposing your child to situations that trigger their anxiety gradually over time by introducing them in small increments until they feel comfortable with them.

As children get older their symptoms tend to decrease. However, some adults may suffer from symptoms of separation disorder throughout their adult lives. It can be difficult for them maintain relationships or pursue certain career goals like returning to college or moving to work. Adults suffering from separation disorder are more likely to develop co-occurring disorders, such as depression, phobias and post-traumatic disorder.

The following is a list with preventions.

Separation anxiety is common in many children. However, for some it can turn into an issue that causes problems with their lives and blocks them from taking part in activities they enjoy. Consult a mental health professional if your child's fear is affecting their daily life.

Children with separation anxiety disorder suffer extreme anxiety when they are separated from their parents or other important relationships. They have persistent fears about being lost, kidnapped, or having an accident that will lead to the loss of loved ones to them. They may struggle to fall asleep at night or refuse to go to school, play dates, or camp without their parents.

A child's separation anxiety symptoms must last at least four weeks before a doctor will diagnose the problem. Often, the healthcare provider will interview the child and their parents separately 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 caused or made separation anxiety worse.

Treatment for anxiety disorder separation varies depending on the child's age and the severity of the symptoms. Younger children usually express their anxiety through specific worries about harm to their attachment figures like the fear that their parents might be hurt in a car crash or be attacked by an intruder. Separation anxiety in older children is frequently dismissed by them.

Behavioral therapy is a typical treatment for children suffering from separation anxiety. It involves teaching relaxation techniques to children and helping them recognize and control their anxiety. 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 separation anxiety. Children must be taught that their pleas for parents to stay home are not valid and they will only improve if they're provided with clear, definite boundaries and support as they work to overcome their fears.