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 worried about the negative consequences of separation, like being lost or getting hurt.
Children with separation anxiety disorder are treated through therapy and medication. The child is taught to tackle the fearful situations slowly, and with assurance.
Symptoms
Separation anxiety disorder is more intense than normal anxiety in the event of being separated from family members and primary caregivers. People with this condition fear that their family member will be the victim of a tragic event if they are separated. This could include getting lost or falling ill. They might also be worried about other situations that could keep them from their loved ones such as being abducted or being involved in a car accident.
The onset of this disorder usually occurs in childhood, though adults can develop it at any age. Adult separation anxiety isn't believed to be caused by any specific factor, but it may be triggered by changes in life, depression, or PTSD. People with this condition may be overly dependent on their children or romantic partners, and have poor boundaries. Others may perceive them as too clingy or demanding.
The symptoms of this condition include extreme stress when a person is cut off from their family members, severe distress when they're away from their home or at work and recurrent nightmares involving separation. These symptoms can cause people avoid traveling or other activities that involve a physical separation from family members, such as returning to school. Children who suffer from this condition may have trouble sleeping or suffer from a range of physical problems like headaches or stomach pains when they are worried about being left alone.
A healthcare provider will ask you about your previous and current symptoms, or the symptoms of your child to determine the cause of separation anxiety. They will also ask you about your family and other relationships to find out how you've dealt with separation anxiety in the past.
Talk therapy and, in certain instances, medication are used to treat this condition. type of anxiety disorder will show you and your children how to cope with the fear. They can help you and your child to learn to manage separations through a step by steps. Medicines can help to relax the brain and relax the body which can ease the anxiety of your child.
Diagnosis
A person suffering from separation anxiety disorder is likely to experience extreme anxiety when separated from the home or close family members. Contrary to the normal fears and anxieties that people generally suffer from, the symptoms of this disorder are persistent, often lasting longer than four weeks in children and more than six months for adults. They create major disruptions to daily life and function at work and school. The condition can also hinder with a person's ability to form romantic relationships and socialize.
A mental health professional will interview and examine the patient's behavior to diagnose this disorder. The provider will ask when symptoms began and what causes the symptoms to become worse or better. A mental health professional will inquire about recent events and history of trauma in relation to the age of the person.
The doctor will also determine if there is another medical condition that can cause similar symptoms. It could be due to an illness like cancer or a neurological disorder such as cerebral palsy or multiple sclerosis. Other causes are family problems like mental illness in the family, domestic violence, substance abuse and neglect and abuse of children.
The diagnosis of separation anxiety disorder in adults is more difficult, because there aren't any laboratory tests for the condition, and it may have a variety of symptoms with other fears. A person who suffers from separation anxiety disorder in adulthood usually is a victim of a traumatic event or significant loss. There are studies that suggest that those who have been diagnosed with separation anxiety disorder in childhood are more likely to suffer from depression and anxiety disorders in adulthood.
A variety of treatment options are available for people with separation anxiety disorder. People suffering from separation anxiety disorder can overcome their phobia through therapy, such a cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or medication such as selective serotonin receptor antagonists and antidepressants. People suffering from this disorder typically benefit from education for parents and methods to improve their relationship with their children.
Treatment
Separation anxiety disorder is diagnosed when the child's fear of being around strangers and clinginess continues throughout elementary school, is manifested by physical symptoms and impedes daily functioning. According to BetterHelp an online therapy service for children that treat separation anxiety disorder, it is a problem that affects as many as 4% of children, with an average age of 7 years.
The doctor who treats your child will conduct a thorough examination to rule out physical issues that could be causing anxiety. If no physical problems are discovered then the healthcare provider for your child will refer them to an expert in anxiety disorders. This will likely be a psychologist or child psychiatrist.
Psychotherapy (also called talk therapy) is usually the first option for treating separation anxiety disorder. The Therapist will help your child learn healthy ways to manage their feelings to increase self-confidence, confidence, independence, and build resilience. The therapist will also educate parents on how they can aid their child suffering from anxiety. Separation anxiety disorder is often treated with medication, including antidepressants such as selective serotoninin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).
The therapist will decide the best treatment option for your child based upon their particular needs. Children who suffer from severe anxiety, like, may benefit from a combination cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and exposure therapy. This means gradually expose your child to situations that trigger anxiety in small steps until they feel comfortable.
As children age their symptoms typically decrease. However, some adults could be suffering from separation anxiety disorder throughout their adult lives. It can be difficult for them keep relationships going or to achieve certain career goals, such as returning to college or moving to work. Adults who suffer from separation disorder are more likely to have co-occurring disorders like depression, phobias and post-traumatic disorder.
Prevention
For many children with separation anxiety, it's a normal part of development. However, for some it can be a serious problem that interferes with their lives and blocks them from taking part in activities they enjoy. Consult a mental health professional if your child's fear is affecting their daily life.
Separation anxiety disorder is a condition in which children experience extreme anxiety when they are separated from their parents or other figures of attachment. They are always worried about being lost, kidnapped, or experiencing an accident that could lead to the loss of people who are close to them. They may also have trouble sleeping on their own at night or refusing to go to camp, school or play dates without their parents.
Doctors do not diagnose separation anxiety until the signs of a child last at minimum four weeks. Most often, the healthcare professional will interview the child and their parents separately to get an accurate picture of the situation. They might ask questions regarding other anxiety disorders or changes in life like family history or life events that could cause separation anxiety.
Treatment for separation anxiety varies depending on the child's age, and the severity of the symptoms. Children younger than 5 years old typically express their anxiety by expressing specific fears about harm to their loved ones for example, a fear that their parents could be injured in a car accident or be attacked by an intruder. Separation anxiety in older children is frequently dismissed by them.
Behavioral therapy is a common treatment for children with separation anxiety. It involves teaching relaxation techniques to children and assisting them to recognize and control their anxiety. In some instances it is necessary to combine treatments, such as cognitive therapy, is employed.
It's crucial for adults to be consistent in their responses to children's anxiety about separation. Children need to understand that their parents' pleas not to let them go are not valid. They will only be able to improve when they are given clear, firm boundaries, and support in conquering their fears.