Children and Teens With Separation Anxiety Disorder

Separation anxiety disorder is a problem that affects children and adolescents who worry overly when they are away from their parents, caregivers or other important people. They may also worry that separation could result in negative consequences, like being lost or hurt.

Children suffering from separation anxiety can be treated with therapy and medication. The child is taught to approach difficult situations slowly, with reassurance.

Symptoms

Separation anxiety disorder is more severe than normal anxiety in relation to being separated from family members and primary caregivers. People suffering from this condition are afraid that something terrible could happen to their family member if they are separated, like getting lost or becoming ill. They might also be worried about other situations that could keep them from their loved ones, for example, being kidnapped or being involved in a car accident.

This anxiety disorder can affect people at any age. Adult separation anxiety isn't known to be caused by any specific factor however it could be triggered by changes in life or depression. It can also be caused by PTSD. People who suffer from this disorder may feel too dependent on their spouses or children and exhibit poor boundaries. Others can view them as being too clingy and demanding.

This condition is characterized by excessive distress when someone is separated from family, significant distress while away from home or working, and recurring dreams involving separation. These symptoms can cause people to avoid traveling or other activities that involve a physical separation from their families, such as going to school. Children suffering from this condition could suffer physical issues such as stomach pains when they worry about being left alone.

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

Treatment for this disorder includes therapy for talk and, in some cases, medication. Your therapist will show you and your children how to cope with the fears. They can help you and your child to learn to manage separations in a step by procedure. Medications can help to calm the mind and relax the body, which can help ease your child's anxiety.

Diagnosis

Separation anxiety disorder can cause individuals to feel intense distress if they are away from their home or family members. Unlike normal fear and worry that people generally suffer from, the symptoms of this disorder can be persistent, typically lasting more than four weeks in children, and up to more than six months in adults, and they cause major disruption to daily activities and performance at school and work. It can also impact a person's socialization and ability to establish romantic relationships.

A mental health professional will interview and observe the patient's behavior in order to determine the cause of the disorder. The doctor will want to be aware of the time when symptoms began and what makes them more or less severe. A mental health professional will inquire about recent events and history of trauma, depending on the age of the patient.

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

The diagnosis of separation anxiety disorder in adults is more difficult since there aren't any lab tests for the condition and it may have a variety of symptoms with other fears. Separation anxiety disorder is more prevalent for adults who have had an emotional trauma or a major 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 as they age.

A variety of treatment options are available for those suffering from separation anxiety disorder. People with separation anxiety disorder can overcome their phobia through therapy, such a cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or prescription medications like selective serotonin antagonists and antidepressants. People with this disorder often benefit from parent education and methods to improve their relationship with their children.

Treatment

Separation anxiety disorder may be diagnosed when the child's fear of being around strangers and clinginess continues throughout elementary school, and is associated with physical symptoms and interferes in daily activities. According to BetterHelp an online therapy service for children that treat separation anxiety disorder, it can affect up to 4% of children and has a median age of 7 years old.

Your child's doctor will conduct an extensive exam to rule out physical issues that could cause anxiety. If no physical problems are discovered, your child's healthcare provider will refer them to a mental health professional with expertise in anxiety disorders. This could be a psychologist or child psychiatrist.

Psychotherapy (also called talk therapy) is usually the first treatment for separation anxiety disorder. The therapy therapist will assist your child to teach them healthy ways to manage their emotions, building confidence and independence, as well as building resilience. The therapist will also educate parents on ways they can aid their child suffering from anxiety. Separation anxiety disorder is often treated with medication, such as antidepressants such as selective serotoninin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).

The therapist will decide the best treatment option for your child based upon their particular needs. For instance, children suffering from severe anxiety may benefit from a combination of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and exposure therapy. This is when your child is exposed to situations that cause anxiety gradually over time in small steps until they are comfortable with them.

As children age their symptoms typically decrease. There are some adults who have symptoms of separation anxiety in their adulthood. This could make it difficult to maintain relationships or to pursue certain career goals, such as returning to school or relocating to work. Adults with separation anxiety disorder have a high functioning anxiety disorder percentage of co-occurring disorders, including other anxiety disorders, depression, phobias and post-traumatic stress disorder, and a variety of addiction disorders.

Prevention

For many children who are anxious about separation, it is an expected part of developing. For others it can turn into a serious problem that interferes with their lives and prevents them from participating in activities they like. If your child's fears are disrupting their daily routines discuss it with an expert in mental health.

Separation anxiety disorder is a disorder in which children suffer from extreme anxiety when they are separated from their parents or other family members. They are constantly worried about being kidnapped or lost or that an accident could cause them to lose those closest to themselves. They may also have trouble sleeping on their own at night, or they might refuse to go to camps, school or play dates with their parents.

A child's separation anxiety symptoms should last for at least four weeks before a doctor can determine the cause. The healthcare provider may interview both the child and the parents in a separate session to get the full picture. They might also inquire about other anxiety disorders or family history as well as life changes that might have triggered or made the separation anxiety worse.

Treatment for separation anxiety is determined by the child's age and the severity of the symptoms. Children express their anxiety through worrying about their attachment figures. For instance, they may worry that their parents could be involved in a car accident or attacked by a burglar. Separation anxiety in older children is usually denied by them.

Behavioral therapy is anxiety a disorder a common treatment for children with separation anxiety. It involves teaching relaxation techniques to children, and helping them identify and manage their mixed anxiety disorder. In some instances it is necessary to combine therapies is used, including cognitive therapy and medication.

Adults should be consistent in their responses to children experiencing anxiety over separation. Children need to be taught that their pleas for parents to stay home aren't valid, and they will only improve if given clear, firm boundaries and a lot of support while they work to overcome their fears.