Children and Teens With Separation Anxiety Disorder

Separation anxiety disorders affect children and adolescents who fret frequently when they are not from their caregivers, parents or other significant people. They may also worry about the possible negative effects of separation, for example, getting lost or being hurt.

Children suffering from separation anxiety are treated through psychotherapy and medications. Therapy involves teaching the child to approach feared situations gradually by providing reassurance and encouragement.

Symptoms

While some anxiety about being away from loved ones is normal separation anxiety disorder can cause people much more intensely anxious than other people when it comes to being separated from family members and primary caregiver figures. People with this disorder are concerned that something tragic will occur to their family member while they are separated, like getting lost or becoming ill. They might also be afraid of other situations that could keep them from their loved ones, like being kidnapped or being involved in a car accident.

This dsm anxiety disorders disorder can affect people at any age. It's unclear what causes separation anxiety in adults however, it could be caused by major life changes or by prior mental health issues like depression or PTSD. People with this condition may feel overly dependent on children or their romantic partners, and may lack boundaries. Some may see them as being too demanding or clingy.

This condition is characterized by extreme anxiety when a person is separated from their family, a significant amount of distress when away from home or working, and recurring thoughts of separation. These symptoms can cause people avoid travel or other activities that require physical separation from family members, such as returning to school. Children who suffer from this condition may have difficulty sleeping or may experience a variety of physical issues, such as stomach pains or headaches, when they worry about being alone.

To diagnose this disorder a healthcare provider will ask about your your child's past and current symptoms. They will ask you about your family, and other relationships, to see how you've dealt with separation anxiety before.

Talk therapy and, in a few instances, medication are utilized to treat this condition. Your therapist can teach you and your child methods to cope with their fears. They can also assist you to approach feared situations through a step-by-step method that helps your child learn how to cope with separations and increase their confidence. Medicines can help to relax the mind and relax the body, which can help ease the anxiety of your child.

Diagnosis

Separation anxiety disorder can cause individuals to feel intense anxiety when they are away from their home or close attachment figures. Unlike normal fear and worry that many people feel, the symptoms of this disorder are persistent, often lasting for more than four weeks in children and more than six months for adults. They can cause significant disruption to daily activities and performance at work and school. The condition can also hinder with a person's ability to establish romantic relationships and socialize.

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

The doctor will also decide whether there is a medical condition that may cause similar symptoms. This may be a condition such as cancer, or a neurological disorder such as cerebral palsy or multiple sclerosis. Other possible causes include familial adversities in childhood such as mental illness, substance misuse, domestic violence, child abuse and neglect, and experiences with trauma such as natural catastrophes and sexual assault, war or the loss of loved ones.

Diagnosis of separation anxiety disorder in adults is more difficult because there aren't any laboratory tests for the condition, and it may have a variety of symptoms with other phobias. Separation anxiety disorder is more frequent for adults who have had an emotional trauma or a major loss. Certain studies suggest that those who were diagnosed with separation anxiety disorder in their childhood are more likely to be suffering from mixed anxiety disorder and depression as they age.

Separation anxiety disorder can be treated in various ways. Treatment, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and medications, such as selective serotonin receptor inhibitors and antidepressants, can help people overcome their fears. People with this disorder often benefit from parent education and techniques to improve the quality of their relationship with their children.

Treatment

Separation anxiety disorder may be diagnosed when a child's fear of strangers and clinginess persists throughout elementary school, and is accompanied with physical symptoms and interferes in everyday functioning. According to the BetterHelp online therapy service the disorder of separation anxiety is the most common anxiety disorder diagnosed in kids, affecting up to 4 percent of them with an onset age of about 7 years.

The doctor who treats your child will conduct a thorough examination to rule out physical problems that could cause anxiety. If no physical problems are found the doctor who treats your child will refer them to a mental health professional with experience in treating anxiety disorders. For children who are ill, this could be a psychiatrist or child psychologist.

Psychotherapy, also referred to as talk therapy, is often the first option of treatment for separation anxiety disorder. The Therapist will help your child discover healthy ways to manage their emotions, increase self-confidence and independence, and build resilience. The therapist will instruct parents on ways they can aid their child suffering from anxiety. Separation anxiety disorder is typically treated with medication, including antidepressants such as selective serotoninin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).

The therapist will determine the best treatment plan for your child based on their individual needs. Children with severe anxiety, for example could benefit from a combination cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and exposure therapy. This means gradually exposing your child to the situations that cause anxiety over time in small steps until they are comfortable.

As children grow older their symptoms typically decrease. However, some adults could continue to have symptoms of separation anxiety throughout their adult lives. It can be difficult to maintain relationships or pursue certain career goals, such as returning to college or moving to work. Adults with separation disorder are more likely to develop co-occurring disorders such as depression, phobias, and post-traumatic disorder.

The following is a list of preventions.

Separation anxiety is a common occurrence in many children. But for others, it can become an issue that is serious and can interfere with their lives and prevents them from participating in activities they like. If your child's worries are disrupting their routine consult an expert in mental health.

Separation anxiety disorder is a disorder in which children experience extreme distress when they are away from their parents or other figures of attachment. They are always worried about being kidnapped, or lost, or that an accident could result in the loss of those closest to themselves. They may struggle to fall asleep at night or refuse to go to school, play dates, or camp without their parents.

Doctors are not able to diagnose separation anxiety until the signs of a child have lasted at least four weeks. The healthcare provider may interview both the child and parents individually to get the full picture. They might also inquire about anxiety disorders that are not related to separation anxiety or family history as well as life events that could have triggered or made the separation anxiety worse.

Treatment for anxiety disorder separation varies according to the age of the child and the severity of the symptoms. Children younger than 5 years old typically express their anxiety through specific worries about harm to their loved ones, such as the fear that their parents could be injured in a car crash or be attacked by an intruder. By contrast older children who suffer from separation anxiety often deny they are worried about leaving home.

Children with separation anxiety are often treated using behavioral therapy. It usually involves teaching children relaxation techniques and helping them learn to recognize and control their fears. In some cases it is necessary to combine therapies, including cognitive therapy, is employed.

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