Children and Teens With Separation Anxiety Disorder

Children and adolescents with separation anxiety disorder worry excessively about being away from their caregivers, parents or other important people in their lives. They might also worry about the negative consequences of separation, for example, getting lost or hurt.

Psychotherapy and medication are a great option to treat children with separation anxiety disorders. The child is taught to approach difficult situations slowly, with assurance.

Symptoms

Separation anxiety disorder is more intense than normal anxiety in relation to being separated from family and primary caregivers. People who suffer from this disorder are concerned that something tragic will happen to their family member while they are separated, for example, losing their way or falling ill. They might also be worried about other situations that could keep them from their loved ones for example, being kidnapped or being involved in a car accident.

The first signs of this anxiety disorder typically occurs in the earliest years of life, however adults can be affected at any age. It's unclear what causes adult separation generalized anxiety disorder dsm 5 however, it could be triggered by major life changes or by previous mental health issues, such as depression or PTSD. People who suffer from this condition may be overly dependent on their children or their romantic partners and display a lack of boundaries. Others may perceive them as being too clingy or demanding.

This condition is characterized by excessive distress when one is cut off from family, significant distress while away from home or at work, and recurrent dreams of separation. These symptoms can cause people avoid traveling or engaging in other activities that require physical separation from family members, such as returning to school. Children with this condition may have difficulty sleeping or suffer from a range of physical problems like stomach pains or headaches, when they worry about being alone.

To determine the severity of this disorder, a healthcare provider will ask about your or your child's past and present symptoms. They will also ask you about your family and other relationships to determine how you've overcome separation anxiety in the past.

Treatment for this disorder includes therapy for talk and, in some cases, medication. Your therapist can teach you and your child how to cope with anxiety disorder without medication to deal with their fears. They can also guide you approach situations that are feared through a step-by-step method that helps your child learn how to deal with separations and increase their confidence. The use of medication can help calm the mind and relax the body, which can ease your child's anxiety.

Diagnosis

A person suffering from separation anxiety disorder is likely to experience extreme anxiety when separated from home or close attachment figures. In contrast to the normal anxiety and fear that many people experience the symptoms of this disorder are persistent, often lasting more than four weeks in children and up to six months in adults, and they cause major disruption to daily activities and performance at 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 talk to the patient and observe his or her behavior. The doctor will want to know when the symptoms started and what triggers them to be worse or better. A mental health professional will ask about recent events and the history of trauma dependent on the age of the patient.

The doctor will also attempt to determine whether the fear is due to another medical condition that could cause similar symptoms, such as an illness, such as cancer or a neurological disorder like cerebral palsy or multiple-sclerosis. Other possible causes include family-related adversities that affect children, such as parental mental illness, substance abuse or domestic violence, child abuse and neglect, and exposure to traumatizing events like natural disasters or war, sexual assault or the death of a loved one.

Diagnosis of separation anxiety 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 phobias. Separation anxiety disorder is more common in adults who have experienced trauma or a significant loss. Some studies indicate that people diagnosed with separation disorder in their early years may be more likely to develop anxiety and depression disorders as adults.

Separation anxiety disorder can be treated in many ways. Individuals suffering from separation anxiety can overcome their fear with therapy, like a cognitive behavioral treatment (CBT) or medication like selective serotonin receptor antagonists and antidepressants. People with this disorder often benefit from parent education and techniques to improve their relationship with their children.

Treatment

Separation anxiety disorder may be diagnosed when the child's fear of being around strangers and clinginess continues throughout the elementary school years, and is associated with physical symptoms and impedes everyday functioning. According to BetterHelp, an online therapy service for children the disorder of separation anxiety can affect up to 4% of children, with an average age of 7 years old.

Your child's healthcare professional will perform a thorough exam to determine if there are any physical issues that may be causing their anxiety. If no physical problems are discovered the healthcare provider of your child will refer them to a mental health professional with experience in treating anxiety disorders. For children who are ill, this could be a child psychologist or psychiatrist.

Psychotherapy, also referred to as talk therapy, is usually the first option of treatment for separation anxiety disorder. The Therapist will help your child discover healthy ways to manage their feelings to increase self-confidence, confidence and independence, as well as build resilience. The therapist will also educate parents on ways they can assist their child who is suffering from anxiety. The use of medication, like selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are often used in conjunction with psychotherapy for separation anxiety disorder.

Depending on your child's specific needs, their counselor will determine what treatment options are appropriate for their specific needs. Children who suffer from extreme anxiety, for instance might benefit from a combination cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and exposure therapy. This is the process of gradually exposing your child to the situations that trigger anxiety over time in small steps until they feel comfortable.

Typically, children suffering from separation anxiety disorder will improve as they grow older, and their symptoms will decrease. There are some adults who experience symptoms of separation disorder in their adulthood. This makes it difficult for them to maintain relationships or to pursue certain career goals, like returning to college or relocating for work. Adults suffering from separation disorder are more likely to have co-occurring disorders like depression, phobias, and post-traumatic disorder.

The following is a list with preventions.

For many children who are anxious about separation, it is a normal part of development. For others, separation anxiety is a serious problem that affects their lives and prevents them from participating in activities they love. If your child's anxiety is disrupting their routine consult an expert in mental health.

Separation anxiety disorder is a condition where children experience severe distress when separated from parents or other figures of attachment. They are always worried about being lost, kidnapped, or experiencing an accident that could cause the loss of those closest to them. They may struggle to fall asleep at night or refusing to go to play dates, school or camp without their parents.

Doctors are not able to diagnose separation anxiety until the symptoms of a child have lasted at least four weeks. Often, the healthcare provider will interview the child and parents separately to get an entire picture of the situation. They may also ask questions regarding other seasonal anxiety disorder disorders or changes in life such as family history and life events that may cause separation anxiety.

Treatment for separation anxiety is determined by the age of the child and the severity of the symptoms. Children express anxiety by worrying about their attachment figures. For example they might be worried that their parents are involved in a car accident or harmed by burglars. Separation anxiety in older children is often dismissed by them.

Children with separation anxiety are often treated with behavioral therapy. It typically involves teaching children relaxation techniques and assisting them in learning to recognize and control their fears. In some cases the combination of treatments is employed, such as medication and cognitive therapy.

Adults should be consistent with their responses to children who are experiencing anxiety disorders description over separation. Kids need to know that their pleas for parents to stay home aren't valid, and they will only get better if they're given clear, precise boundaries and a lot of support while they work to overcome their fears.