Children and Teens With Separation Anxiety Disorder
Separation anxiety disorders affect children and adolescents who worry overly when they are away from their caregivers, parents, or other important people. They may also worry that being separated could have negative consequences, like getting hurt or lost.
Psychotherapy and medication can be used to treat children suffering from separation anxiety disorders. The child is taught to approach feared situations slowly, with confidence.
Symptoms
While some anxiety over being separated from loved ones is normal separation anxiety disorder can cause people much more intensely anxious than other people when it comes to the separation from family members and primary caregiver figures. People with this condition fear that their family member could be the victim of a tragic incident when they are separated. This could mean getting lost or getting sick. They may also fear other situations that can separate them from their loved ones, such as being abducted or being involved in an accident.
The first signs of this anxiety disorder usually occurs in the early years of childhood, but adults can develop it at any time. Adult separation anxiety is not thought to be caused by a specific cause however it can be triggered by changes in life, depression, or PTSD. The people who suffer from this disorder may feel too dependent on their children or romantic partners and display a lack of boundaries. Some may see them as being overly demanding or clingy.
The symptoms of this condition include excessive distress when a person is cut off from their family, severe anxiety when they are away from home or work and frequent nightmares about separation. These symptoms can cause people avoid traveling or other activities that involve a physical separation from family members, like going back to school. Children who suffer from this condition might suffer physical issues like stomach pains when they are worried about being on their own.
To determine the severity of this disorder, the healthcare professional will inquire about your or your child's past and current symptoms. They will also inquire about your family and other relationships to find out how you have faced separation anxiety in the past.
Treatment for this disorder can include talking therapy and, in some instances medications. Your therapist will show you and your children how to cope with the fears. They can also guide you approach situations that are feared through a step-by-step method that can help your child understand how to cope with separations and increase their confidence. The medication can relax the brain and relax the body to reduce your child's anxiety.
Diagnosis
A person suffering from separation anxiety disorder will experience extreme stress when apart from family members or close friends. Unlike normal fear and worry that people generally experience, the symptoms of this disorder are long-lasting, usually lasting for more than four weeks for children, and up to up to six months in adults. They cause major disruption to daily life and function at work and school. The condition can also interfere with a person's ability form romantic relationships and socialize.
To diagnose this disorder A mental health professional will interview the patient and observe the patient's behavior. The provider will ask when symptoms started and what triggers them to worsen or improve. Based on the age of the patient an expert in mental health may also ask about any recent events that may be causing stress, as well as any history of trauma.
The provider will also try to determine whether the fear is a result of another medical condition that can cause similar symptoms, for example an illness, such as cancer or a neurological issue, such as cerebral palsy or multiple sclerosis. Other causes are family problems like parental mental illnesses, domestic violence, substance abuse and neglect and abuse of children.
The 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. Anyone who develops separation anxiety disorder in adulthood usually does so after experiencing an event that was traumatic or a major loss. Certain studies suggest that those who were 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. Individuals suffering from separation anxiety can overcome their phobia through therapy, including cognitive behavioral treatment (CBT) or prescription medications such as selective serotonin receptor antagonists and antidepressants. People with this disorder often benefit from education for parents and techniques to improve their relationship with their children.
Treatment
Separation anxiety disorder is diagnosed when the child's fear of being around strangers and clinginess is persistent throughout the elementary school years, and is manifested by physical symptoms, and affects daily functioning. According to BetterHelp, an online therapy service for children the disorder of separation anxiety can affect up to 4% of children, with a median age of 7 years.
Your child's healthcare provider will conduct a thorough examination to rule out any physical problems that could be causing anxiety. If no physical problems are found the doctor who treats your child will refer them to a mental health professional who has experience in treating anxiety disorders. This will likely be a psychologist or child psychiatrist.
Psychotherapy (also called talk therapy) is usually the first treatment for separation anxiety disorder. The Therapist will help your child learn healthy ways to manage their emotions and increase self-confidence and independence, and build resilience. The therapist will also educate parents on how to assist their child and assist them deal with their anxiety. The use of medication, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), is often prescribed along with psychotherapy for separation anxiety disorder.
Depending on your child's specific needs, the counselor will determine what treatment options are most appropriate for the child. For instance, children who suffer from severe anxiety might benefit from a combination of cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) and exposure therapy. This means exposing your child to situations that cause anxiety gradually over time, in small steps, until they feel comfortable with them.
As children age, their symptoms usually decrease. There are some adults who experience symptoms of separation 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 who suffer from separation disorder are more likely to develop co-occurring disorders, such as depression, phobias, and post-traumatic disorder.
Prevention
Separation anxiety is a common occurrence in many children. For others, anxiety over separation can be a major issue that interferes in their lives and hinders their participation in activities they love. Speak to a mental healthcare professional if your child's fear 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. generalized anxiety disorder are constantly concerned about being kidnapped, or lost, or that an accident could cause them to lose those closest to themselves. They may be having a difficult time falling asleep alone at night or refusing to go to camps, school, or play dates without their parents.
Doctors are not able to diagnose separation anxiety until the signs of a child are present for at minimum four weeks. The healthcare provider may interview both the child as well as the parents separately to obtain the complete picture. They may also ask questions about other anxiety disorders or life changes, such as family history or life events that could trigger the separation anxiety.
Treatment for separation anxiety varies depending on the age of the child and the severity of symptoms. Children express their anxiety by worrying about their attachment figures. For example they might worry that their parents could be involved in a car accident or harmed by a burglar. Separation anxiety in older children is frequently ignored by them.
Behavioral therapy is a popular treatment for children suffering from 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 should be consistent in their responses to children experiencing separation anxiety. Children must be taught that their pleas to parents to stay home are not valid, and they'll only improve if they're given clear, firm boundaries and support as they work to overcome their fears.