Children and Teens With Separation Anxiety Disorder

Children and adolescents who suffer from separation anxiety disorder worry excessively about being separated from their caregivers, parents or other significant people in their lives. They may also worry about a possible negative outcome of separation, such as being lost or getting hurt.

Psychotherapy and medication can be used to treat children with separation anxiety disorder. Therapy includes teaching the child to manage fearful situations gradually with encouragement and support.

Signs and symptoms

While some anxiety over being apart from loved ones is normal separation anxiety disorder can cause people more anxious than others when it comes to being separated from family members and primary caregiver figures. People suffering from this condition are afraid that something bad will happen to their family member if they are separated, for example, getting lost or becoming ill. They might also be worried about other situations that could keep them from their loved ones, such as being abducted or getting into a car accident.

The onset of this anxiety disorder typically occurs in the early years of childhood, but adults can develop it at any age. It isn't known what causes separation anxiety in adults however it could be triggered by major life changes or by prior mental health issues such as depression or PTSD. People who suffer from this condition may be overly dependent on their children or romantic partners and display a lack of boundaries. Some may see them as being too clingy or demanding.

The symptoms of this condition include a high level of distress when a person is separated from their family, significant distress when they're away from work or home and recurrent nightmares involving separation. These symptoms can make people avoid travel or other activities that involve a physical separation from family members, such as going back to school. Children who suffer from this condition might suffer physical issues like stomach pains when they are worried about being alone.

To diagnose this disorder, medical professionals will inquire about your or your child's previous and current symptoms. They will inquire about your family, and other relationships, to see how you've been able to manage separation anxiety before.

Treatment for this disorder consists of talk therapy and, in some cases medications. Your therapist will show you and your children how to cope with the fears. They can anxiety disorder cause nausea also assist you approach situations that are feared through a step-by-step method that helps your child learn how to cope with separations and increase their confidence. The use of medication can help calm the mind and relax the body, which can ease your child's anxiety.

Diagnosis

Separation anxiety disorder causes people to experience extreme stress when they are away from their home or other close attachment figures. Contrary to the normal fears and anxieties that most people suffer from these symptoms disorder can be persistent, typically lasting longer than four weeks for children, and up to more than six months in adults, Anxiety Disorders Statistics and they can cause significant disruption to daily life and function 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 to diagnose this disorder. The healthcare provider will want know when the symptoms started and what makes them worse or better. A mental health professional will ask about recent events and the history of trauma in relation to the age of the person.

The doctor will also determine whether there is another medical condition that may cause similar symptoms. This could be an illness such as cancer, or a neurological disorder like cerebral palsy or multiple sclerosis. Other causes include family adversities such as mental illness in the family and substance abuse, domestic violence and child abuse and neglect.

It is difficult to diagnose separation mild anxiety disorder disorder among adults, as there are no lab tests and the symptoms can be similar to those of other fears. Separation anxiety disorder is more common for adults who have had an emotional trauma or a major loss. Certain studies suggest that those diagnosed with separation disorder in childhood are more likely to develop depression and anxiety disorders as adults.

A variety of treatment options are available to those suffering from separation anxiety disorder. People suffering from separation anxiety disorder can overcome their fear through therapy, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or prescription medications like selective serotonin antagonists and antidepressants. Parents who suffer from this disorder can benefit from strategies and training to strengthen their relationship with their child.

Treatment

While many children go through a phase that makes them terrified of strangers and clingy, when this anxiety persists through the elementary years and beyond, is accompanied by physical symptoms, and interferes with daily functioning it could be an indication of separation anxiety disorder. According to BetterHelp, an online therapy service for children the disorder of separation anxiety can affect up to 4% of children with a median age of 7 years.

The healthcare provider for your child will conduct a thorough exam to rule out any physical problems that may be causing their anxiety disorders statistics (Recommended Reading). If no physical issues are found, the healthcare provider for your child will refer them to an expert in anxiety disorders. For children who are ill, this could be a psychiatrist or child psychologist.

Psychotherapy (also called talk therapy) is typically the first option for treating separation anxiety disorder. The therapist will assist your child to teach them healthy ways of managing their feelings, increasing confidence and independence, anxiety disorders statistics as well as developing resilience. The therapist will instruct parents on ways to aid their child suffering from anxiety. Separation anxiety disorder is typically treated with medication, including antidepressants such as selective serotoninin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).

Based on the specific needs of your child's needs, their counselor will determine what treatment options are appropriate for their specific needs. For instance, children who suffer from severe anxiety may benefit from a combination of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and exposure therapy. This means gradually expose your child to situations that cause anxiety over time in a series of small steps until they feel comfortable.

Often, children dealing with anxiety disorder without medication separation anxiety disorder will improve as they grow older and their symptoms diminish. However, some adults could be suffering from separation anxiety disorder throughout their adult lives. This can make it difficult to maintain relationships or to pursue certain career goals, like going back to college or relocating for work. Adults with separation anxiety disorder have a high rate of co-occurring conditions, such as other anxiety disorders such as depression and phobias, post-traumatic stress disorder, and a range of substance use disorders.

Prevention

Separation anxiety is a common occurrence in many children. However, for some it can turn into a serious problem that interferes with their lives and stops them from taking part in activities they enjoy. Consult a mental health professional if your child's fear affects their daily routine.

Children with separation anxiety disorder suffer extreme anxiety when they are separated from their parents or other significant family members. They are constantly worried about being kidnapped or lost or that an accident might cause them to lose the people closest to themselves. They may struggle to fall asleep at night or refusing to go to play dates, school or camp without their parents.

Doctors are not able to diagnose separation anxiety until the signs of a child are present for at least four weeks. Often, the healthcare provider will interview the child and their parents separately to obtain a full picture of the situation. 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 caused or made the separation anxiety worse.

Treatment for separation anxiety disorder varies depending on the child's age, and the severity of symptoms. Children express their anxiety by worrying about their attachment figures. For instance they might worry that their parents are involved in a car accident or attacked by a burglar. Separation anxiety in older children is often ignored by them.

Behavioral therapy is a popular treatment for children suffering from separation anxiety. It involves teaching relaxation techniques to children, and helping them understand and manage their anxiety. In some instances the combination of treatments is employed, including cognitive therapy and medication.

It is crucial for adults to be consistent in their responses to children's anxiety about separation. Children must be taught that their parents' pleas not to leave them not valid. They can only grow when they are given clear, definite boundaries and help in conquering their fears.