Children and Teens With Separation Anxiety Disorder

Separation anxiety disorders affect children and adolescents who worry overly when they are away from their parents, caregivers or other important people. They might also worry about the negative consequences of separation, for example, getting lost or hurt.

Psychotherapy and medications can be used to treat children suffering from separation anxiety disorder. Therapy involves teaching the child to approach feared situations gradually by providing reassurance and encouragement.

Signs and symptoms

While some anxiety about being separated from loved ones is normal separation anxiety disorder can cause people more anxious than others when it comes to the separation 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 worried about other situations that could keep them from their loved ones, such as being abducted or being involved in a car accident.

This anxiety disorder can be experienced by adults at any age. It's not known what causes adult separation anxiety however, it could be caused by major life changes or previous mental health disorders, like depression or PTSD. The sufferers of this disorder might feel overly dependent on their children or their romantic partners, and lack boundaries. Some may see them as being too clingy or demanding.

The symptoms of this condition include a high level of distress when someone is separated from their family, severe distress when they're away from their home or at work and frequent nightmares of separation. These symptoms can make people avoid traveling or engaging in other activities that involve a physical separation from family members, for example, returning to school. Children who suffer from this condition might have physical issues, like stomach pains if they worry about being on their own.

A healthcare professional will inquire with you about your past and current symptoms, or the symptoms of your child to determine the cause of separation anxiety. They will also inquire about your family and other relationships to determine how you have dealt with separation social anxiety disorder treatment in the past.

Talk therapy and, in certain instances, medication are used to treat this disorder. Your therapist will instruct you and your children how to cope with the fear. They can assist you and your child learn how to deal with separations in a step-by- procedure. Medications can help to calm the brain and relax the body which can help ease your child's anxiety.

Diagnosis

A person suffering from separation anxiety will feel extreme distress when they are away from their home or close attachment figures. The symptoms of separation anxiety are more persistent than normal anxiety and fear. They can last for up to six months in adults and for up to four weeks in children. They can cause significant disruptions in the daily routine, school, and work. The condition can also hinder with the ability of a person to create romantic relationships and socialize.

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

The doctor will also determine if there is another medical condition that can cause similar symptoms. It could be due to an illness like cancer, or an underlying neurological disorder, such as cerebral palsy or multiple sclerosis. Other causes include childhood family problems like parental mental illnesses, domestic violence, substance abuse 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 can share many symptoms with other anxiety disorders. A person who develops separation anxiety disorder in adulthood typically is a victim of a traumatic event or significant loss. There are studies that suggest that those who have been diagnosed with separation anxiety disorder in their childhood are more likely to be suffering from anxiety and depression in adulthood.

There are a variety of treatment options available for those suffering from separation Anxiety Disorders Consequences disorder. There are many treatment options available for people suffering from. People suffering from separation anxiety disorder can overcome their fear through therapy, such a cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or prescription medications like selective serotonin antagonists and antidepressants. Parents with this disorder can benefit from techniques and training 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 persists throughout elementary school, is accompanied with physical symptoms and impedes daily functioning. According to BetterHelp an online therapy service for children, separation anxiety disorder is a problem that affects as many as 4% of children, with a median age of 7 years old.

Your child's doctor will perform an extensive exam to rule out physical ailments that could be causing anxiety. If no physical issues are found, your child's healthcare provider will refer them to an expert in mental health who has experience in treating anxiety disorders. It could be a psychologist or child psychiatrist.

Psychotherapy, also known 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 emotions, increase self-confidence, independence, and build resilience. The therapist will educate parents on ways to aid their child suffering from anxiety. The use of medication, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are typically prescribed in addition to psychotherapy for separation anxiety disorder.

The therapist will decide which treatment option is best medicine for anxiety disorder for your child based on their specific needs. Children who suffer from severe anxiety, for example could benefit from a combination cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) as well as exposure therapy. This involves gradually exposing your child to the situations that trigger anxiety over time in a series of small steps until they feel comfortable.

Often, children with separation anxiety disorder improve as they age and their symptoms decrease. Some adults may still have symptoms of separation anxiety in their adult life. This makes it difficult for them to keep relationships or achieve certain career goals, like returning to school or moving for work. Adults who suffer from separation disorder are more likely to develop co-occurring disorders, such as depression, phobias, or post-traumatic disorder.

Prevention

Separation anxiety is a common occurrence in many children. For some, separation anxiety can be a major issue that can affect their lives and prevents them from participating in activities they love. Consult a mental health professional if your child's fear is affecting their daily life.

Children with separation anxiety disorder suffer extreme anxiety disorder anxiety when they are separated from their parents or other important attachment figures. They are constantly worried about being snatched away, missing, or experiencing an accident that could lead to the loss of loved ones to them. They may have trouble falling to sleep at night, or refusing to go to school, play dates or camp without parents.

The symptoms of separation anxiety in children must last at least four weeks before a doctor can diagnose the condition. The healthcare provider may interview both the child as well as the parents in a separate session to get the full picture. They may inquire about any other anxiety disorders statistics disorders or family history, as well as changes in life that may have caused or made separation anxiety worse.

Treatment for separation anxiety differs based on the child's age and the severity of symptoms. Younger children typically express their anxiety by expressing specific fears about harm to their family members, such as the fear that their parents might be hurt in a car crash or be attacked by a burglar. Separation anxiety in older children is frequently denied by them.

Children with separation anxiety are often treated using behavioral therapy. It involves teaching relaxation techniques to children, and helping them understand and manage their anxiety. In some instances, a combination of treatments is employed, such as cognitive therapy and medication.

Adults should be consistent with their responses to children experiencing separation anxiety. Children need to be taught that their requests for parents to not leave aren't valid, and they'll only improve if given clear, precise boundaries and a helping hand as they try to overcome their fears.