Children and Teens With Separation Anxiety Disorder
Children and adolescents suffering from separation anxiety disorder worry excessively about being separated from their caregivers, parents or other significant people in their lives. They might also be worried about the negative consequences of separation, like getting lost or hurt.
Children with separation anxiety disorders can be treated with psychotherapy and medication. Therapy includes teaching the child to deal with fearful situations slowly with encouragement and support.
Signs and symptoms
Although some anxiety about being away from loved ones is normal separation anxiety disorder can cause people more anxious than other people when it comes to separating from family members and primary caregiving figures. People who suffer from this condition are worried that something terrible could occur to their family member if they are separated, like getting lost or becoming ill. They might also be afraid of other circumstances that could make them separated from their loved one, 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 age. It's not known what causes adult separation anxiety however it could be caused by major life changes or by previous mental health disorders, like depression or PTSD. People suffering from this disorder may feel a lot dependent on children or their romantic partners, and have poor boundaries. Others may view them as being overly clingy or demanding.
The signs of this disorder include a high level of distress when a person is cut off from their family, severe distress when they are away from home or work and recurrent nightmares involving separation. These symptoms can cause people to avoid traveling or engaging in other activities that involve a physical separation from family members, for example, returning to school. Children suffering from this condition could experience physical problems such as headaches or stomach pains if they worry about being left alone.
A healthcare professional will ask you about your current and past symptoms or those of your child in order to diagnose separation anxiety. They will also inquire about your family and other relationships to determine how you have dealt with separation anxiety in the past.
Talk therapy and, in certain instances, medication are utilized to treat this disorder. Your therapist will teach you and your child methods to manage their fears. They can help you and your child learn how to deal with separations in a step by steps. The medication can relax the brain, relax the body and reduce your child's anxiety.
Diagnosis
A person suffering from separation anxiety is likely to experience extreme anxiety when they are away from their family members or close friends. Contrary to the normal fears and anxieties that people generally feel 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 create major disruptions to daily life and function at school and work. It can also impact the person's social life and ability to establish romantic relationships.
To determine if this disorder is present A mental health professional will interview the patient and observe his or her behavior. The healthcare provider will ask when symptoms first started and what causes them to get worse or improve. Depending on disorder social anxiety , a mental health professional may also ask about any recent events that might have caused stress, as well as any history of trauma.
The doctor will also try to determine if the phobia is due to another medical condition that may cause similar symptoms, such as an illness such as cancer or a neurological issue, such as cerebral palsy or multiple sclerosis. Other causes are family adversities such as mental illness of the parents and domestic violence, substance abuse and child abuse and neglect.
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 fears. A person who suffers from separation anxiety disorder in adulthood typically is a victim of an event that was traumatic or a major loss. There are studies that suggest that those who have been diagnosed with separation anxiety disorder in their childhood are more likely to suffer from anxiety and depression later in life.
A variety of treatment options are available for those suffering from separation anxiety disorder. People suffering from separation anxiety disorder can overcome their fear with therapy, including cognitive behavioral treatment (CBT) or medication like selective serotonin antagonists and antidepressants. People suffering from this disorder typically benefit from education for parents and techniques to improve their relationship with their children.
Treatment
Many children go through a phase where they are clingy and fearful of strangers If this fear persists through elementary school and beyond and is manifested as physical symptoms and affects daily functioning it could be a sign of separation anxiety disorder. According to BetterHelp an online therapy service for children that treat separation anxiety disorder, it affects up to 4% and has a median age of 7 years.
The healthcare provider for your child 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 a mental health professional who has expertise in anxiety disorders. For children, this will most likely be a psychiatrist or child psychologist.
Psychotherapy, also referred to as talk therapy, is typically the first treatment option for separation anxiety disorder. The therapy therapist will assist your child to teach them healthy ways of managing their feelings, increasing confidence in themselves and their independence, and building their resilience. The therapist will also train parents on how to support their child and help them cope with their anxiety. Separation anxiety disorder is often treated by medication, for example antidepressants like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).
Based on your child's individual needs, the counselor will determine what treatment options are best for the child. Children with severe anxiety, for example could benefit from a combination of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and exposure therapy. This involves exposing your child to situations that cause anxiety gradually over time in small steps until they are comfortable with them.
As children age, their symptoms usually decrease. However, some adults may have symptoms of separation anxiety throughout their adult lives. This could make it difficult to maintain relationships or to pursue certain career goals, like returning to school or relocating to work. Adults who suffer from separation disorder are more likely to suffer from co-occurring disorders, such as depression, phobias, or post-traumatic disorder.
The following is a list of preventatives.
For many children who are anxious about separation, it is an expected part of developing. For others, separation anxiety can be a serious issue that can affect their lives and prevents participation in activities they enjoy. If your child's fears are disrupting their daily routine consult a mental health professional.
Children suffering from separation anxiety disorder suffer extreme stress when they are separated from their parents or other significant attachment figures. They are constantly concerned about being kidnapped or lost, or that an accident could result in the loss of those closest to them. They might have difficulty falling asleep at night or refusing to go to school, play dates or camp without parents.
Doctors do not diagnose separation anxiety until the signs of a child last at minimum four weeks. The healthcare provider can interview both the child and parents separately to obtain the complete picture. They may inquire about any other anxiety disorders or family history, as well as changes in life that may have caused or made the separation anxiety worse.
Treatment for anxiety disorder separation varies by the age of the child and the severity of the symptoms. Children express anxiety by worrying about their attachment figures. For example, they may worry that their parents might be in a car crash or harmed by a burglar. By contrast older children with separation anxiety often deny they have any anxiety about leaving home.
Children who have anxiety about separation are often treated using behavioral therapy. It typically involves teaching children relaxation techniques and teaching them to recognize and control their fears. In some instances it is necessary to combine therapies, such as cognitive therapy, is utilized.
It's important for adults to be consistent in their responses to children's anxiety about separation. Children must be taught that their parents' pleas not to leave them are not valid. They will only be able to improve if they receive clear, firm boundaries, and help in overcoming their fears.