Children and Teens With Separation Anxiety Disorder

Separation anxiety disorder is a problem that affects adolescents and children who worry overly when they are away from their caregivers, parents or other important people. They might also be concerned that being separated could have negative consequences, for example, being hurt or lost.

Children with separation anxiety disorder can be treated with psychotherapy and medications. The child is taught to approach difficult situations slowly, with confidence.

Signs and symptoms

Separation anxiety disorder is more intense than normal anxiety in the event of being separated from family and primary caregivers. People suffering from this disorder are worried that their loved ones will be the victim of a tragic incident when they are separated. This could mean that they get lost or getting sick. They may also fear other scenarios that could separate them from their loved ones, for example, being kidnapped or getting into a car accident.

The onset of this disorder typically begins in the early years of childhood, but adults can develop it at any age. It's unclear what causes adult separation anxiety, but it can be caused by major life changes or by previous mental health issues, such as depression or PTSD. People who suffer from this condition may be overly dependent on their spouses or children and exhibit poor boundaries. Others can view them as excessively clingy and demanding.

Symptoms of this condition include excessive distress when someone is separated from their family members, severe distress when they are away from their home or at work and frequent nightmares about separation. These symptoms can make people avoid traveling or engaging in other activities that require physical separation from family members, for example, returning to school. Children who suffer from this condition may have trouble sleeping or suffer from a range of physical issues, such as stomach pains or headaches, in the event of anxiety about being alone.

To determine the severity of this disorder, a healthcare provider will ask about your your child's past and current symptoms. They will also inquire about your family and other relationships to determine how you've faced separation anxiety in the past.

Treatment for this disorder can include talking therapy and, in some cases, medication. Your therapist will teach you and your child methods to manage their fears. They can help you and your child to learn to manage separations through a step by steps. The medication can relax the mind, relax the body and ease your child's anxieties.

Diagnosis

Separation anxiety disorder causes individuals to feel intense distress if they are away from their home or other close attachment figures. Unlike normal fear and worry that most people experience these symptoms disorder are persistent, often lasting longer than four weeks in children and more than six months in adults. They create major disruptions to the daily routine and functioning at work and school. It can also affect the social life of a person and their ability to form romantic relationships.

A mental health professional will interview and observe the patient's behavior to diagnose this disorder. The doctor will want to be aware of the time when symptoms began and what makes them more or less severe. Based on the age of the patient the mental health professional might also inquire about recent events that might be causing stress, as well as any history of trauma.

The doctor will also decide if there is another medical condition that can cause similar symptoms. It could be due to an illness like cancer, or an underlying neurological disorder, such as multiple sclerosis or cerebral palsy. Other causes include family adversities such as mental illness in the family, domestic violence, substance abuse and child neglect and abuse.

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 phobias. Separation anxiety disorder is more prevalent for adults who have had a traumatic experience or significant loss. Some studies suggest that people who have been diagnosed with separation anxiety disorder as children are more likely to be suffering from anxiety and depression and anxiety disorder as they age.

Separation Generalized Anxiety Disorder Cognitive Behavioral Therapy disorder can be treated in various ways. Individuals suffering from separation anxiety can overcome their fear with therapy, like a cognitive behavioral treatment (CBT), or medications like selective serotonin receptor antagonists and antidepressants. People with this disorder often benefit from parent education and methods to improve the quality of their relationship with their children.

Treatment

While many children go through a phase that makes them clingy and fearful of strangers, when this anxiety persists through the elementary years and beyond and is manifested as physical symptoms and interferes with daily functioning it could be a sign of separation anxiety disorder. 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 exhaustive exam to rule out physical problems that could cause anxiety. If no physical problems are identified, your child's healthcare provider will refer them to an expert in mental health who has experience in treating anxiety disorders. It could be a psychologist or child psychiatrist.

Psychotherapy, also referred to as talk therapy, is typically the first course of treatment for separation anxiety disorder. The Therapist will help your child learn healthy ways to manage their feelings, increase self-confidence and independence, as well as build resilience. The therapist will also educate parents on how they can assist their child who is suffering from anxiety. Separation anxiety disorder is usually treated with medication, such as antidepressants like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).

The therapist will decide the best medication for anxiety disorder treatment option drugs for generalized anxiety disorder your child based on their individual needs. Children with severe anxiety, like could benefit from a combination cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) as well as exposure therapy. This is when your child is exposed to situations that cause anxiety gradually, in small steps, until they feel comfortable with them.

As children grow older, their symptoms usually decrease. Some adults may still have symptoms of separation anxiety in their adulthood. It can be challenging for them maintain relationships or pursue certain career goals, such as returning to college or moving to work. Adults suffering from separation anxiety disorder have a high rate of co-occurring conditions, such as other anxiety disorders such as depression, phobias, post-traumatic stress disorder, and a range of substance use disorders.

The following is a list of preventatives.

Separation anxiety is a common occurrence in many children. For others it can be an issue that causes problems with their lives and blocks them from participating in activities they enjoy. If your child's anxiety is disrupting their daily routine, talk to an expert in mental health.

Children with separation anxiety disorder experience extreme distress when separated from their parents or other important relationships. They are constantly worried about being abducted, lost or having an accident that will result in the loss of loved ones to them. They may have trouble falling to sleep at night, or refusing to go to play dates, school, or camp without their parents.

Doctors will not diagnose separation anxiety until the symptoms of a child last at minimum four weeks. The healthcare professional may interview both the child and parents separately to gather the complete picture. They might also inquire about any other anxiety disorders, family history, and life changes that might have caused or made separation anxiety more severe.

Treatment for anxiety disorder separation varies depending on the child's age and the severity of the symptoms. Children express anxiety by worrying about their attachment figures. For example, they may worry that their parents could be involved in a car accident or attacked by burglars. Separation anxiety in older children is frequently denied by them.

Behavioral therapy is a popular treatment for children with separation anxiety. It involves teaching relaxation techniques to children, and helping them recognize and control their anxiety disorder can be cured. In some cases, a combination of treatments is employed, such as cognitive therapy and medication.

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