Children and Teens With Separation Anxiety Disorder

Children and adolescents with separation anxiety disorder worry excessively about being away from their parents, caregivers or other significant people in their lives. They might also be concerned that separation could have negative consequences, like being hurt or lost.

Psychotherapy and medication can be used to treat children with separation anxiety disorder. Therapy involves teaching the child to deal with fearful situations slowly, with reassurance and support.

Symptoms

Separation anxiety disorder is more intense than normal anxiety when it comes to being separated from family and primary caregivers. People with this condition are worried that something tragic will occur to their family member while they are separated, like being lost or getting sick. They might also be scared of other circumstances that could make them separated from their loved ones including being abducted or having a car accident.

The first signs of this anxiety disorder usually occurs in the earliest years of life, however adults can be affected at any time. Adult separation anxiety isn't believed to be caused by any specific factor however it could be caused by life changes such as depression, depression, or PTSD. People who suffer from this condition can feel overly dependent on their spouses or children and have trouble establishing boundaries. Others can view them as excessively demanding and clingy.

The symptoms of this condition include excessive distress when a person is separated from their family members, severe anxiety when they are away from their home or at work and frequent nightmares of separation. These symptoms can cause people avoid traveling or other activities that require physical separation from family members, like going back to school. Children with this condition may have difficulty sleeping or suffer from a range of physical problems like stomach pains or headaches, in the event of best anxiety disorder treatment about being on their own.

To diagnose this disorder the healthcare professional will inquire about your your child's previous and current symptoms. They will also ask you about your family and other relationships to determine how you have faced separation anxiety in the past.

Talk therapy and, in a few instances, medication are utilized to treat this condition. Your therapist will show you and your children how to deal with the fear. They can also help you deal with situations that scare you in a step-by-step process that will help your child learn how to cope with anxiety disorder without medication to deal with separations and build their confidence. The medication can relax the brain and body, as well as help ease your child's fears.

Diagnosis

A person suffering from separation anxiety disorder is likely to experience extreme anxiety when they are away from their the home or close family members. The symptoms of separation anxiety are more persistent than normal anxiety and anxiety and. They can last up to six months in adults and for up to four weeks in children. They can cause major disruptions to daily life as well as school and work. It can also impact the social life of a person and their ability to establish romantic relationships.

A mental health professional will interview and examine the patient's behavior to diagnose this disorder. The healthcare provider will want know when the symptoms started and what triggers them to be worse or better. A mental health professional will ask about recent events and the history of trauma dependent on the age of the patient.

The doctor will also try to determine whether the phobia is a result of another medical condition that may cause similar symptoms, for example an illness such as cancer or a neurological condition such as cerebral palsy or multiple-sclerosis. Other causes include family adversities such as mental illness in the family or domestic violence, abuse of substances and child neglect and abuse.

Diagnosis of separation anxiety disorder in adults (content) is more difficult because there aren't any laboratory tests for the condition, and it can share many symptoms with other phobias. Separation anxiety disorder is more frequent for adults who have had a traumatic experience or significant loss. Some studies suggest that people who suffer from separation disorders in childhood are more likely to develop anxiety and depression disorders as adults.

Separation anxiety disorder can be treated in a variety of ways. People with separation anxiety disorder can overcome their fear with therapy, like a cognitive behavioral treatment (CBT), or medications like selective serotonin antagonists and antidepressants. People suffering from this disorder usually benefit from education for parents and techniques to improve their relationship with their children.

Treatment

Many children go through a phase when they become clingy and fearful of strangers If this fear persists into the elementary years and beyond, is accompanied by physical symptoms, and causes problems with daily activities it could be an indication of separation anxiety disorder. In fact, according to the BetterHelp online therapy service that separation anxiety disorder is the most prevalent anxiety disorder that is diagnosed in children that affects up to 4 percent of them, with an onset age of around 7 years.

Your child's doctor will conduct an extensive exam to rule out physical ailments that could be causing anxiety. If no physical problems are found, your child's healthcare provider will refer them to a mental health professional who has expertise in anxiety disorders. For children it will likely be a child psychologist or psychiatrist.

Psychotherapy (also known as talk therapy) is typically the first option for treating separation anxiety disorder. The therapist will help your child learn how to manage their feelings to increase self-confidence, confidence and independence, as well as build resilience. The therapist will instruct parents on ways to aid their child suffering from anxiety. Separation anxiety disorder is usually treated with medication, such as antidepressants, such as selective serotoninin receptor inhibitors (SSRIs).

Depending on your child's specific needs, the therapist will determine which treatment options are most appropriate for them. Children who suffer from severe anxiety, like could benefit from a combination of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) as well as exposure therapy. This is the process of gradually exposing your child to the situations that trigger anxiety in small steps until they become comfortable.

As children age their symptoms typically decrease. There are some adults who suffer from symptoms of separation disorder in their adulthood. This can make it difficult for them to maintain relationships or pursue certain career goals, such as going back to college or moving for work. Adults who suffer from separation disorder are more likely to suffer from co-occurring disorders, such as depression, phobias, and post-traumatic disorder.

Prevention

For many kids with separation anxiety, it's an inevitable part of the development process. For others it can turn into an issue that causes problems with their lives and stops them from participating in activities they enjoy. Speak to a mental healthcare professional if your child's fear affects their daily routine.

Separation anxiety disorder is a condition where children suffer from extreme anxiety when they are separated from their parents or other family members. They are always worried about being abducted, lost, or experiencing an accident that could lead to the loss of loved ones to them. They might have difficulty falling asleep at night or refuse to go to play dates, school, or camp without their parents.

Doctors will not diagnose separation anxiety until the signs of a child are present for at least four weeks. Most often, the healthcare professional will interview the child and their parents separately to obtain 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 more severe.

Treatment for separation anxiety is determined depending on the child's age and the severity of the symptoms. Children who are younger tend to express their anxiety disorders resources through specific concerns about harm to their attachment figures for example, being worried that their parents will get in a car crash or be attacked by burglars. Separation anxiety in older children is often denied by them.

Behavioral therapy is a typical treatment for children suffering from separation anxiety. It typically involves teaching children relaxation techniques and assisting them in learning to recognize and manage their anxieties. In some instances it is necessary to combine therapies, including cognitive therapy, is utilized.

Adults should be consistent with their responses to children who are experiencing separation anxiety. Children need to understand that their parents' pleas not to leave them not valid. They will only be able to improve by receiving clear, firm boundaries, and support in overcoming their fears.