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 important people in their lives. They may also worry about the possible negative effects of separation, for example, getting lost or being injured.
Children with separation anxiety disorders are treated through therapy and medication. The child is taught to approach the fearful situations slowly, and with reassurance.
Signs and symptoms
While some anxiety over being apart from loved ones is normal separation anxiety disorder causes people more anxious than others when it comes to being separated from family members and primary caregiving figures. People suffering from this disorder are worried that their family member will be the victim of a tragic event if they are separated. This could mean getting lost or falling ill. They may also be fearful of other scenarios that could cause separation from their loved ones for example, being kidnapped or getting into a a car accident.
The onset of this disorder usually occurs in the earliest years of life, however adults can be affected at any time. It's unclear what causes separation anxiety in adults, but it can be triggered by major life changes or prior mental health issues like depression or PTSD. People who suffer from this condition may be overly dependent on their children or their romantic partners and have trouble establishing boundaries. Others may view them as too demanding or clingy.
The symptoms of this condition include a high level of distress when a person is cut off from their family, severe distress when they are away from work or home and frequent nightmares of separation. These symptoms can make people avoid traveling or other activities that require a physical separation from their families, like going to school. Children with this condition may have physical issues, such as headaches or stomach pains when they worry about being left alone.
To diagnose this disorder medical professionals will inquire about your your child's past and present symptoms. They will also ask you about your family and other relationships to determine how you have faced separation anxiety in the past.
Treatment for this disorder consists of talk therapy and, in certain cases medications. Your therapist will show you and your children how to deal with the anxiety. They can assist you and your child to understand how to handle separations in a step-by- steps. The medicines can help calm the brain, relax the body and reduce your child's anxiety.
Diagnosis
Separation anxiety disorder causes a person to feel extreme distress if they are away from their home or family members. The symptoms of separation anxiety disorder can be more severe than normal anxiety and anxiety and. They can last for up to six months in adults and four weeks in children. They cause major disruptions in daily life, school, and work. It can also affect the person's social life and ability to develop romantic relationships.
A mental health professional will interview and observe the patient's behavior to diagnose this disorder. The doctor will inquire about when symptoms started and what causes the symptoms to become worse or better. Depending on the individual's age the mental health professional may also ask about any recent events that might have caused stress, as well as any past trauma.
The provider will also determine whether there is another medical condition that could cause similar symptoms. This may be a condition such as cancer or a neurological disorder such as multiple sclerosis or cerebral palsy. Other possible causes are familial adversities in childhood such as mental illness, addiction to drugs domestic violence, child abuse and neglect, as well as experiences with trauma such as natural disasters or sexual assault, war, or the death of a loved one.
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 among adults who have suffered a traumatic experience or significant loss. Some studies suggest that people who were diagnosed with separation anxiety disorder in childhood are more likely to suffer from anxiety and depression as they age.
Separation anxiety disorder can be treated in various ways. People suffering from separation anxiety disorder can overcome their fear with therapy, such a cognitive behavioral treatment (CBT) or medication such as selective serotonin receptor antagonists and antidepressants. People suffering from this disorder typically benefit from parent education and methods to improve the quality of their relationship with their children.
Treatment
Separation anxiety disorder is diagnosed when a child's fear of strangers and clinginess is persistent throughout the elementary school years, and is manifested by physical symptoms and interferes in everyday functioning. According to BetterHelp, an online therapy service for children, separation anxiety disorder can affect up to 4% of children, with a median age of 7 years.
Your child's doctor will conduct an exhaustive exam to rule out physical issues that could be causing anxiety. If no physical ailments are discovered the healthcare professional for your child will refer them to an expert in anxiety disorders. This will likely be a child psychiatrist or psychologist.
Psychotherapy (also known as talk therapy) is often the first option for treating separation anxiety disorder. The Therapist will assist your child to help them develop healthy ways of managing their emotions, boosting confidence in themselves and their independence, and building their resilience. The therapist will instruct parents on how they can help their child with anxiety. Separation anxiety disorder is usually treated with medication, including antidepressants, such as selective serotoninin receptor inhibitors (SSRIs).
Based on the specific needs of your child's needs, the counselor will determine what treatment options are most appropriate for the child. For instance, children who suffer from severe anxiety may benefit from a combination of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and exposure therapy. This is the process of gradually expose your child to situations that trigger anxiety over time in a series of small steps until they feel comfortable.
As children get older, their symptoms usually decrease. However, some adults could continue to have symptoms of separation anxiety disorder throughout their adult lives. It can be challenging for them maintain relationships or pursue certain career goals such as returning to college or moving to work. Adults who suffer from separation anxiety have a high percentage of co-occurring conditions like other anxiety disorders such as depression, phobias, post-traumatic stress disorder, and a variety of substance use disorders.
Prevention
Separation anxiety is a common occurrence in many children. For others, it can become an issue that is serious and can interfere with their lives and blocks them from engaging in activities they like. If your child's worries are disrupting their daily routines, talk to an expert in mental health.
Children suffering from separation anxiety disorder experience extreme distress when separated from their parents or other major relationships. They are constantly worried about being snatched away or lost or that an accident might result in the loss of those closest to them. They might also have trouble sleeping on their own at night, or they might refuse to go to camp, school or play dates without their parents.
Doctors are not able to diagnose separation anxiety until the symptoms of a child last at minimum four weeks. The healthcare provider may interview both the child and parents separately to obtain the complete picture. They may also ask questions regarding other anxiety disorders or changes in life, such as family history and life events that could trigger the separation anxiety.
Treatment for separation anxiety differs based on the age of the child, and the severity of symptoms. Children younger than 5 years old usually express their anxiety through specific concerns about harm to their loved ones for example, the fear that their parents might be hurt in a car accident or be attacked by an intruder. anxiety disorder cognitive behavioral therapy in older children is often dismissed by them.
Behavioral therapy is a common treatment for children with separation anxiety. It involves teaching relaxation techniques to children and helping them recognize and control their anxiety. In some instances the combination of treatments is employed, such as medication and cognitive therapy.
Adults must be consistent in their responses to children experiencing anxiety over separation. Children must be taught that their pleas for parents to stay home are not valid and they will only improve if they're provided with clear, definite boundaries and a helping hand as they try to overcome their fears.