Children and Teens With Separation Anxiety Disorder

Children and adolescents suffering from separation anxiety disorder have a tendency to worry about being separated from their parents, caregivers or other significant people in their lives. They might also be worried about a possible negative outcome of separation, for example, getting lost or being hurt.

Children suffering from separation anxiety can get treatment through psychotherapy and medication. The child is taught to tackle the fearful situations slowly, and with assurance.

Signs and symptoms

Separation anxiety disorder is more severe than normal anxiety when it comes to being separated from family and primary caregivers. People suffering from this condition are afraid that something bad will happen to their family member when they are separated, like losing their way or falling ill. They may also fear other situations that can separate them from their loved ones, for example, being kidnapped or being involved in an accident.

This anxiety disorder can affect adults at any age. Adult separation anxiety isn't known to be caused by anything specific, but it may be triggered by life changes, depression, or PTSD. People suffering from this disorder may feel overly dependent on their children or romantic partners, and lack boundaries. Some may view them as excessively clingy and demanding.

This condition is marked by a high functioning anxiety disorder level of distress when someone is separated from their family, a significant amount of distress while away from home or at work, and recurrent dreams involving separation. These symptoms can make people avoid traveling or other activities that involve physical separation from their families, for example, going to school. Children who suffer from this condition may have difficulty sleeping or may experience a variety of physical ailments, such as headaches or stomach pains in the event of anxiety about being on their own.

A healthcare professional will ask you about your past and current symptoms, or those of your child to determine if you suffer from separation anxiety. They will also ask you about your family and other relationships to find out how to deal with anxiety disorder without medication you have dealt with separation anxiety in the past.

Treatment for this disorder includes talk therapy and, in some cases medications. Your therapist will instruct you and your children how to cope with the fear. They can also help you approach situations that are feared by guiding you through the steps 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 ease your child's anxieties.

Diagnosis

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

To determine if this disorder is present A mental health professional will interview the patient and observe the patient's behavior. The doctor will want to be aware of the time when symptoms began and what is anxiety panic disorder makes them worse or better. Based on the age of the patient an expert in mental health might also inquire about any recent events that may have caused stress and any history of trauma.

The doctor will also try to determine if the phobia is due to another medical condition that may cause similar symptoms, like an illness, like cancer or a neurological disorder such as cerebral palsy or multiple-sclerosis. Other causes include family traumas like parental mental illnesses, domestic violence, substance abuse and child abuse and neglect.

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 fears. A person who develops separation anxiety disorder in their adulthood typically does so after experiencing trauma or a significant loss. Some studies suggest that people who suffer from separation disorders in childhood may be more likely to develop anxiety and depression disorders later in life.

Separation anxiety disorder can be treated in a variety of ways. People suffering from separation anxiety disorder can overcome their fear with therapy, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), or medications such as selective serotonin receptor antagonists and antidepressants. Parents with this disorder can benefit from strategies and education to improve their relationship with their child.

Treatment

Separation anxiety disorder is diagnosed when the child's fear of being around strangers and clinginess persists throughout elementary school, is accompanied with physical symptoms and interferes in everyday functioning. According to the BetterHelp online therapy service, separation anxiety disorder is the most prevalent anxiety disorder seen in children that affects up to 4 percent of them, with an age at onset of about 7 years.

The doctor who treats your child will conduct an extensive exam to rule out physical ailments that could be causing anxiety. If no physical problems are discovered the doctor who treats your child will refer them to an expert in mental health who has expertise in anxiety disorders. For children who are ill, this could be a psychiatrist or child psychologist.

Psychotherapy (also known as talk therapy) is typically the first treatment for separation anxiety disorder. The Therapist will work with your child to help them learn healthy ways to manage their emotions, boosting self-confidence and independence, and developing resilience. The therapist will also instruct parents on how to help their child and aid them deal with their anxiety. Medication, including antidepressants such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are often used in conjunction with psychotherapy for separation anxiety disorder.

The therapist will determine the best treatment plan for your child based on their specific needs. Children who suffer from severe anxiety, like might benefit from a combination cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and exposure therapy. This involves gradually exposing your child to the situations that trigger anxiety over time in a series of small steps until they become comfortable.

As children age, their symptoms usually decrease. However, some adults may still suffer from symptoms of separation anxiety 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 anxiety disorder have a high rate of co-occurring conditions like other types of anxiety disorders such as depression and phobias, post-traumatic stress disorder, and a variety of addiction disorders.

Prevention

Separation anxiety is common among many children. For some, separation anxiety is a serious problem that can affect their lives and prevents them from participating in activities they love. Speak to a mental healthcare specialist if your child's fear affects their daily routine.

Separation anxiety disorder is a condition in which children suffer from extreme anxiety when they are separated from their parents or other figures of attachment. They are constantly concerned about being kidnapped, or lost, or that an accident will result in the loss of those closest to them. They may have trouble falling asleep at night or refuse to go to play dates, school or camp without parents.

Doctors do not diagnose separation anxiety until the signs of a child last at least four weeks. The healthcare provider can interview both the child and the parents individually to obtain the complete picture. They may inquire about anxiety disorders that are not related to separation anxiety, family history, and changes in life that may have caused or made the separation anxiety more severe.

Treatment for separation anxiety is determined by the age of the child and the severity of the symptoms. Children who are younger tend to express their anxiety through specific worries about harm to their attachment figures for example, being worried that their parents will get in a car crash or be attacked by a burglar. However older children who suffer from separation anxiety often deny they have any anxiety about leaving home.

Behavioral therapy is a popular treatment for children with separation anxiety. It usually involves teaching children relaxation techniques and helping them learn to recognize and manage their fears. In some cases there is a mix of therapies, including cognitive therapy, is used.

It's crucial for adults to be consistent in their responses to children's separation anxiety. Children need to understand that their parents' pleas not to leave them not valid. They will only be able to improve when they are given clear, firm boundaries, and assistance in overcoming their fears.