Children and Teens With Separation Anxiety Disorder
Children and adolescents suffering from separation anxiety disorder have a tendency to worry about being away from their parents, caregivers or other significant people in their lives. They might also worry about a possible negative outcome of separation, like getting lost or being hurt.
Psychotherapy and medication are a great option to treat children suffering from separation anxiety disorders. The child is taught to handle difficult situations slowly, with assurance.
Symptoms
Separation anxiety disorder is more intense than normal anxiety in the event of being separated from family and primary caregivers. People suffering from this condition are afraid that something terrible could happen to their family member if they are separated, like losing their way or falling ill. They might also be scared of other circumstances that could cause separation from their loved ones, including being abducted or having an accident in a vehicle.
The onset of this anxiety disorder typically occurs in childhood, though adults can develop it at any time. It's unclear what causes adult separation anxiety, but it can be caused by significant life changes or prior mental health issues like depression or PTSD. People with this condition may be overly dependent on their spouses or children and have trouble establishing boundaries. Some may view them as overly clingy and demanding.
Symptoms of this condition include extreme stress when a person is separated from their family members, severe distress when they're away from work or home and frequent nightmares about separation. These symptoms can make people avoid travel or other activities that involve a physical separation from family members, such as returning to school. Children who suffer from this condition might have physical issues, like stomach pains when they worry about being on their own.
To diagnose generalized anxiety disorder will ask about your or your child's past and current symptoms. They will also ask you about your family and other relationships to determine how you have overcome separation anxiety in the past.
Talk therapy and, in a few instances, medication are used to treat this condition. Your therapist will show you and your children how to deal with the anxiety. They can also guide you to approach feared situations by guiding you through the steps that helps your child learn how to deal with separations and build up their confidence. The medications can calm the brain, relax the body and help ease your child's fears.
Diagnosis
A person suffering from separation anxiety is likely to experience extreme anxiety when separated from home or close attachment figures. Contrary to the normal fears and anxieties that people generally experience, the symptoms of this disorder can be persistent, typically lasting longer than four weeks for children, and up to six months or longer for adults. They cause major disruption to daily activities and performance at work and school. The condition can also cause problems with a person's ability to create romantic relationships and socialize.
A mental health professional will interview and observe the patient's behavior to diagnose the disorder. The doctor will inquire about when symptoms started and what causes the symptoms to become worse or better. Depending on the person's age, a mental health professional may also ask about any recent events that could have caused stress and any past trauma.
The provider will also try to determine whether the phobia is the result of a different medical condition that could cause similar symptoms, such as an illness, such as cancer or a neurological disorder, such as cerebral palsy or multiple-sclerosis. Other possible causes are family-related adversities that affect children such as mental illness, substance misuse child abuse, domestic violence and neglect, as well as experiences with trauma like natural catastrophes or war, sexual assault or the death of a loved one.
It is difficult to diagnose separation anxiety disorder in adults, as there are no lab tests and the symptoms can be similar to those of other fears. Separation anxiety disorder is more prevalent among adults who have suffered a traumatic experience or significant loss. Some studies indicate that people diagnosed with separation disorder in their early years may be more likely to develop depression and anxiety disorders later on in their lives.
Separation anxiety disorder can be treated in various ways. Therapies like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and medications, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors as well as antidepressants, can help people overcome the phobia. Parents with this disorder can benefit from techniques and education to improve their relationship with their child.
Treatment
Separation anxiety disorder may be diagnosed when the child's fear of being around strangers and clinginess continues throughout elementary school, is associated with physical symptoms and interferes in everyday functioning. According to the BetterHelp online therapy service the disorder of separation anxiety is the most prevalent anxiety disorder diagnosed in kids, affecting up to 4 percent of them with an onset age of about 7 years.
Your child's healthcare professional will conduct a thorough exam to determine if there are any physical issues that could be causing anxiety. If no physical issues are discovered, your child's healthcare provider will refer them to an expert in mental health who has expertise in anxiety disorders . This could be a psychologist or child psychiatrist.
Psychotherapy (also known as talk therapy) is often 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 and independence, and build resilience. The therapist will also train parents on how they can support their child and help them deal with their anxiety. Medication, including antidepressants like selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are often prescribed in addition to psychotherapy for separation anxiety disorder.
Based on the specific needs of your child's needs, the therapy therapist will determine which options are appropriate for the child. Children who suffer from severe anxiety, like could benefit from a mix of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and exposure therapy. This involves exposing your child to situations that trigger their anxiety gradually over time in small steps until they feel comfortable with them.
As children get older their symptoms tend to decrease. However, some adults could still suffer from symptoms of separation anxiety throughout their adult lives. This makes it difficult for them to maintain relationships or to pursue certain career goals, such as returning to college or relocating for work. Adults with separation disorder are more likely to develop co-occurring disorders, such as depression, phobias, or post-traumatic disorder.
Prevention
For many children who are anxious about separation, it is a normal part of development. For others, it can become an issue that causes problems with their lives and blocks them from taking part in activities they like. Consult a mental health professional if your child's fear affects their daily routine.
Children with separation anxiety disorder suffer extreme anxiety when they are separated from their parents or other major family members. They are always worried about being snatched away, missing, or experiencing an accident that could cause the loss of those closest to them. They might be having a difficult time falling asleep alone at night or they may refuse to go to camps, school or play dates without their parents.
Doctors do not diagnose separation anxiety until the symptoms of a child last at least four weeks. The healthcare provider can interview both the child and the parents individually to gather the complete picture. They may ask questions about other anxiety disorders or changes in life such as family history and life events that could trigger the separation anxiety.
Treatment for separation anxiety disorder varies depending on the child's age, and the severity of the symptoms. Children express anxiety by worrying about their attachment figures. For instance they might be worried that their parents are in a car crash or attacked by burglars. Separation anxiety in older children is often ignored by them.
Behavioral therapy is a popular treatment for children with separation anxiety. It usually involves teaching children relaxation techniques and helping them learn to recognize and control their fears. In some instances it is necessary to combine treatments is employed, such as medication and cognitive therapy.
It is crucial for adults to be consistent in their responses to children's separation anxiety. Children need to be taught that their pleas for parents to stay home are not valid and they will only improve if provided with clear, definite boundaries and a helping hand as they try to overcome their fears.