Children and Teens With Separation Anxiety Disorder
Children and adolescents suffering from separation anxiety disorder are anxious about being away from their caregivers, parents or other important people in their lives. They might also worry about a possible negative outcome of separation, like being lost or getting injured.
Children with separation anxiety disorders are treated through psychotherapy and medications. Therapy includes teaching the child to manage fearful situations gradually by providing reassurance and encouragement.
Symptoms
While some anxiety about being away from loved ones is normal separation anxiety disorder causes people more anxious than other people when it comes to being separated from family members and primary caregiving figures. People suffering from this disorder are worried that their loved ones 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 scenarios that could separate them from their loved ones for example, being kidnapped or being involved in an accident.
The onset of this anxiety disorder typically begins in the earliest years of life, however adults can develop it at any age. Adult separation anxiety isn't thought to be caused by anything specific however it can be triggered by changes in life, depression, or PTSD. People who suffer from this condition can feel overly dependent on their spouses or children and have trouble establishing boundaries. Others can view them as being too clingy and demanding.
This condition is marked by a high level of distress when someone is separated from their family, significant stress when away from home or at work, and frequent dreams involving separation. These symptoms can lead people to avoid travel or other activities that entail a 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 ailments including headaches or stomach pains when they are worried about being on their own.
To diagnose 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 see how you've been able to manage separation anxiety before.
Talk therapy and, in some instances, medication are used to treat this disorder. Your therapist will instruct you and your children how to cope with the anxiety. They can also help you to approach feared situations by guiding you through the steps that can help your child understand how to cope with separations and build up their confidence. The medications can calm the brain, relax the body and reduce your child's anxiety.
Diagnosis
Separation anxiety disorder causes individuals to feel intense anxiety when they are away from their home or attachment figures. The symptoms of separation anxiety disorder can be more severe than normal anxiety and anxiety and. They can last up to six months for adults and four weeks in children. They cause major disruptions to daily life, school, and work. It can also affect the social life of a person and their ability to establish romantic relationships.
To determine the cause of this disorder A mental health professional will interview the patient and observe his or her behavior. The doctor will inquire about when symptoms first started and what triggers them to get worse or improve. Based on the age of the patient the mental health professional will also inquire about recent events that might be causing stress, as well as any history of trauma.
The doctor will also determine whether there is a medical condition that could cause similar symptoms. It could be a condition such as cancer or a neurological disorder such as multiple sclerosis or cerebral palsy. Other possible causes are family-related adversities that affect children like parental mental illness, substance misuse or child abuse, domestic violence and neglect, and experiences with trauma, such as natural disasters and war, sexual assault or the death of a loved one.
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 phobias. Separation anxiety disorder is more frequent among adults who have suffered a traumatic experience or significant loss. Some studies indicate that people who suffer from separation disorders in their early years may be more likely to develop depression and anxiety disorders later on in their lives.
A variety of treatment options are available to those suffering from separation anxiety disorder. There are many treatment options available for people suffering from. Therapy such as cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) as well as medications, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors as well as antidepressants, can help overcome their fears. People suffering from this disorder usually benefit from parental education and techniques to improve their relationship with their children.
Treatment
While many children experience a period that makes them terrified of strangers and clingy If this fear persists into the elementary years and beyond and is manifested as physical symptoms and affects daily functioning, it may be an indication of separation anxiety disorder. In fact, according to the BetterHelp online therapy service the disorder of separation anxiety is the most common anxiety disorder seen in children, affecting up to 4 percent of them with a onset age of about 7 years.
The healthcare provider for your child will conduct a thorough exam to determine if there are any physical issues that may be causing their anxiety. If no physical ailments are found the healthcare professional for your child will refer them to an expert in anxiety disorders. For children it will likely be a psychiatrist or child psychologist.
Psychotherapy (also known as talk therapy) is often the first treatment for separation anxiety disorder. The Therapist will assist your child to help them learn healthy ways of managing their feelings, increasing confidence and independence, as well as developing resilience. The therapist will instruct parents on ways to aid their child suffering from anxiety. Separation anxiety disorder is typically treated with medication, such as antidepressants like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).
Depending on your child's specific needs, the therapy therapist will determine which options are most appropriate for their specific needs. For instance, children suffering from severe anxiety might benefit from a combination of 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 still suffer from symptoms of separation anxiety disorder throughout their adult lives. This could make it difficult to maintain relationships or to pursue certain career goals, such as returning to school or relocating for work. Adults who suffer from separation disorder are more likely to have co-occurring disorders such as depression, phobias and post-traumatic disorder.
Prevention
Separation anxiety is common among many children. For others it can be an issue that causes problems with their lives and prevents them from taking part in activities they like. Talk to a mental health professional if your child's anxiety is affecting their daily routine.
Children suffering from separation anxiety disorder suffer extreme stress when they are separated from their parents or other major attachment figures. 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 also have trouble sleeping on their own at night or they may refuse to go to camps, school or play dates without their parents.
The symptoms of separation anxiety in children should last for at least four weeks before a doctor can diagnose the condition. Most often, the healthcare professional will interview the child and parents separately to obtain an entire picture of the situation. They may ask about other anxiety disorders , family history, and changes in life that may have caused or made the separation anxiety worse.
Treatment for anxiety disorder separation differs depending on the child's age and the severity of the symptoms. Children express their anxiety by worrying about their attachment figures. For instance, they may worry that their parents might be involved in a car accident or harmed by burglars. Separation anxiety in older children is usually dismissed by them.
Behavioral therapy is a common treatment for children suffering from separation anxiety. It involves teaching relaxation techniques to children and helping them recognize and control their anxiety. In some cases, a mixture of therapies, including cognitive therapy, is employed.
Adults should be consistent in their responses to children experiencing separation anxiety. Children need to be taught that their requests for parents not to leave are not valid and they'll only improve if provided with clear, definite boundaries and a lot of support while they work to overcome their fears.