Children and Teens With Separation Anxiety Disorder

Separation anxiety disorders affect adolescents and children who worry overly when they are away from their parents, caregivers or other significant people. They may also worry that separation could have negative consequences, such as being lost or hurt.

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

Signs and symptoms

Separation anxiety disorder is more severe than normal anxiety in the event of being separated from family members and primary caregivers. People who suffer from this disorder are concerned that something tragic will happen 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 a car accident.

This anxiety disorder can be experienced by adults at any age. It's unclear what causes adult separation anxiety however, it could be triggered by major life changes or previous mental health disorders, like depression or PTSD. People who suffer from this condition may be overly dependent on their children or romantic partners and have trouble establishing boundaries. Others may view them as being too demanding or clingy.

This condition is characterized by extreme distress when someone is separated from their family, significant stress while away from home or working, and recurring thoughts of separation. These symptoms can cause people to avoid traveling or other activities that require physical separation from their families, such as going to school. Children with this condition may have trouble sleeping or suffer from a range of physical issues, such as headaches or stomachaches, when they worry about being on their own.

A healthcare professional will inquire with you about your past and current symptoms, or the symptoms of your child to diagnose separation anxiety. They will inquire about your family and other relationships, to determine how you've been able to manage separation anxiety before.

Talk therapy and, in some instances, medications are used to treat generalized anxiety disorder this disorder. Your therapist will teach you and your children how to cope with the fear. They can also guide you approach situations that are feared in a step-by-step process that will help your child learn how to handle separations and build up their confidence. The use of medication can help calm the mind and relax the body, which can help ease your child's anxiety.

Diagnosis

A person suffering from separation anxiety will feel extreme distress when separated from home or close attachment figures. The symptoms of separation anxiety disorder can be more severe than normal generalized anxiety disorder dsm-5 and fear. They can last up to six months for adults and for up to four weeks in children. They can cause major disruptions in daily life, school, and work. It can also affect the person's social life and ability to establish romantic relationships.

To determine if this disorder is present, a mental health professional will talk to the patient and observe his or her behavior. The provider will ask when symptoms began and what causes them to get worse or improve. 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 decide if there is another medical condition that can cause similar symptoms. This could be a condition such as cancer, or a neurological disorder like cerebral palsy or multiple sclerosis. Other possible causes are family-related adversities that affect children such as mental illness, substance misuse, domestic violence, child abuse and neglect, and exposure to traumatizing events, such as natural disasters, sexual assault, war or the death of loved ones.

Diagnosis of separation treat generalized anxiety disorder disorder in adults is more difficult as there are no lab tests for the condition and it may share a number of symptoms with other anxiety disorders. Someone who develops a separation anxiety disorder in adulthood typically does so after experiencing an event that was traumatic or a major loss. Certain studies suggest that those who have been diagnosed with separation anxiety disorder as children are more likely to suffer from depression and anxiety disorders as they age.

Separation anxiety disorder can be treated in a variety of ways. Therapies like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) as well as medication, such as selective serotonin receptor inhibitors and antidepressants, can help overcome the phobia. People with this disorder often benefit from parental education and techniques to improve their relationship with their children.

Treatment

While many children go through a stage that makes them terrified of strangers and clingy, when this anxiety persists throughout elementary school and beyond and is manifested as physical symptoms and affects daily functioning, it may be an indication of separation anxiety disorder. According to the BetterHelp online therapy service, separation anxiety disorder is the most common anxiety disorder seen in children with up to 4 percent of them with an age at onset of 7 years old.

The healthcare provider for your child will perform a thorough exam to identify any physical issues that may be causing their anxiety. If no physical issues are found, your child's healthcare provider will refer them to a mental health professional with experience in treating anxiety disorders. This will likely be a psychologist or child psychiatrist.

Psychotherapy (also called talk therapy) is often the first option for treating separation anxiety disorder. The Therapist will assist your child to help them develop healthy ways to manage their emotions, boosting confidence and independence, as well as building resilience. The therapist will also instruct parents on how to help their child and aid them cope with their 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 specific needs. Children with severe anxiety, like might benefit from a mix of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and exposure therapy. This means exposing your child to situations that cause anxiety disorder help gradually by introducing them in small increments until they feel comfortable with them.

Often, children with separation anxiety disorder improve as they age and their symptoms decrease. However, some adults might be suffering from separation anxiety disorder throughout their adult lives. It can be challenging to maintain relationships or to pursue certain career goals like returning to school or moving to work. Adults with separation anxiety disorder have a high percentage of co-occurring conditions like other types of 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. However, for some, it can become an issue that causes problems with their lives and stops them from participating in activities they like. Consult a mental health professional if your child's anxiety affects their daily routine.

Separation anxiety disorder is a condition in which children experience extreme distress when separated from parents or other family members. They are constantly worried about being snatched away or lost or that an accident could result in the loss of those closest to them. They might have difficulty falling asleep at night or refusing to go to school, play dates, or camp without their parents.

Doctors do not diagnose separation anxiety until the symptoms of a child have lasted at minimum four weeks. Often, the healthcare provider will interview the child and parents in a separate interview to get an entire picture of the situation. They may inquire about other anxiety disorders, family history, and life events that could have triggered or made the separation anxiety worse.

Treatment for anxiety disorder separation varies by the child's age and the severity of the symptoms. Children express anxiety by worrying about their attachment figures. For example they might worry that their parents could be in a car crash or harmed by a burglar. Separation anxiety in older children is usually dismissed by them.

Children who suffer from separation anxiety are usually treated with behavioral therapy. It involves teaching relaxation techniques to children, and helping them recognize and control their anxiety. In some cases there is a mix of treatments, such as cognitive therapy, is utilized.

Adults should be consistent with their responses to children who are experiencing anxiety about separation. Children must be taught that their parents' pleas not to leave them are not valid. They can only grow if they receive clear, firm boundaries, and assistance in overcoming their fears.