20 Trailblazers Setting The Standard In Anxiety Disorder Separation Children and Teens With Separation Anxiety Disorder

Children and adolescents with separation anxiety disorder worry excessively about being separated from their caregivers, parents or other significant people in their lives. They might also be concerned that separation could result in negative consequences, like getting hurt or lost.

Psychotherapy and medication are a great option to treat children with separation anxiety disorder. Therapy focuses on teaching children to approach feared situations gradually with encouragement and support.

Symptoms

Separation anxiety disorder is more intense than normal anxiety in relation to being separated from family members and primary caregivers. People with this condition are afraid that something terrible could occur to their family member when they are separated, for example, being lost or getting sick. They might also be afraid of other scenarios that could separate them from their loved ones such as being abducted or being involved in an accident.

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

This condition is characterized by extreme anxiety when a person is separated from their family, a significant amount of distress while away from home or at work, and frequent dreams involving separation. These symptoms can make people avoid traveling or engaging in other activities that involve a physical separation from family members, like going back to school. Children who suffer from this condition might suffer physical issues such as headaches or stomach pains if they worry about being left alone.

To determine the severity of this disorder, medical professionals will inquire about your your child's previous and current symptoms. They will inquire about your family and other relationships to determine how you've dealt with separation anxiety before.

Talk therapy and, in some instances, medication are utilized to treat this disorder. Your therapist will show you and your children how to deal with the anxiety. They can also assist you to approach feared situations in a step-by-step process that helps 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

Separation anxiety disorder causes individuals to feel intense anxiety when they are away from their home or other close attachment figures. Contrary to the normal fears and anxieties that most people feel the symptoms of this disorder can be persistent, typically lasting longer than four weeks in children and six months or longer in adults. They cause major disruption to daily life and function at school and work. The condition can also hinder with a person's ability create romantic relationships and socialize.

To determine if this disorder is present A mental health professional will talk to the patient and observe the patient's behavior. The doctor will inquire about when symptoms first started and what causes the symptoms to become worse or better. Depending on the individual's age an expert in mental health will also inquire about any recent events that might have caused stress, as well as any past trauma.

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

The diagnosis of separation anxiety disorder in adults is more difficult, since there aren't any lab tests for the condition, and it can share many symptoms with other phobias. Separation anxiety disorder is more frequent in adults who have experienced an emotional trauma or a major loss. Some studies suggest that people who have been diagnosed with separation anxiety disorder in their childhood are more likely to suffer from anxiety and depression later in life.

Separation anxiety disorder can be treated in a variety of ways. Individuals suffering from separation anxiety can overcome their phobia through therapy, like a cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), or medications like selective serotonin receptor antagonists and antidepressants. Parents suffering from this disorder can benefit from methods and training to improve their relationship with their child.

Treatment

Separation anxiety disorder can be diagnosed when a child's fear of strangers and clinginess is persistent throughout elementary school, and is associated with physical symptoms and interferes in daily activities. In fact, according to the BetterHelp online therapy service, separation anxiety disorder is the most frequent anxiety disorder seen in children with up to 4 percent of them with a onset age of 7 years old.

IamPsychiatry who treats your child will conduct a thorough examination to rule out physical problems that could cause anxiety. If no physical ailments are discovered the healthcare professional for your child will refer them to an expert 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 therapist will work with your child to help them learn healthy ways to manage their feelings, increasing confidence in themselves and their independence, and building their resilience. The therapist will also educate parents on ways they can help their child with anxiety. Separation anxiety disorder is usually treated with medication, such as antidepressants like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).

Based on your child's individual needs, their therapy therapist will determine which options are most appropriate for the child. Children who suffer from extreme anxiety, for instance could benefit from a mix of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) as well as exposure therapy. This involves exposing your child to situations that cause anxiety gradually over time by introducing them in small increments until they feel comfortable with them.

As children grow older their symptoms typically decrease. However, some adults may be suffering from separation anxiety throughout their adult lives. This makes it difficult for them to keep relationships or achieve certain career goals, like going back to college or relocating for work. Adults suffering from separation anxiety disorder are more likely to suffer from co-occurring conditions, such as other types of anxiety disorders such as depression, phobias and post-traumatic stress disorder, and a variety of substance use disorders.

Prevention

For many children with separation anxiety, it's an expected part of developing. However, for some, it can become a serious problem that interferes with their lives and blocks them from engaging in activities they like. Talk to a mental health professional if your child's fear is affecting their daily life.

Children suffering from separation anxiety disorder suffer extreme stress when they are separated from their parents or other important attachment figures. They are constantly worried about being abducted, lost, or experiencing an accident that could result in the loss of loved ones to them. They might also have trouble sleeping on their own at night or they may refuse to go to camp, school, or play dates without their parents.


Doctors do not diagnose separation anxiety until the signs of a child are present for at minimum four weeks. Often, the healthcare provider will interview the child and their parents in a separate interview to get a full picture of the situation. They may ask about any other anxiety disorders, family history, and life events that could have triggered or made the separation anxiety more severe.

Treatment for separation anxiety is dependent on the age of the child and the severity of the symptoms. Children express anxiety by worrying about their attachment figures. For example, they may worry that their parents are involved in a car accident or harmed by a burglar. By contrast, older children with separation anxiety often deny they are worried about leaving home.

Behavioral therapy is a typical treatment for children with separation anxiety. It involves teaching relaxation techniques to children and helping them recognize and control their anxiety. In some instances, a combination of treatments is employed, including medication and cognitive therapy.

Adults must be consistent in their responses to children who are experiencing anxiety about separation. Children must be taught that their requests for parents to stay home aren't valid, and they'll only improve if they're given clear, precise boundaries and a lot of support while they work to overcome their fears.