Children and Teens With Separation Anxiety Disorder

Separation anxiety disorder is a problem that affects children and adolescents who fret overly when they are away from their parents, caregivers, or other important people. They may also worry about the possible negative effects of separation, like being lost or getting injured.

Children with separation anxiety disorders can be treated with therapy and medication. The child is taught to approach the fearful situations slowly, and with assurance.

Symptoms

Separation anxiety disorder is more intense than normal anxiety in relation to being separated from family members and primary caregivers. People suffering from this disorder are worried that their family member will suffer a tragic event when they are separated. This could include getting lost or becoming sick. They might also be afraid of other scenarios that could cause separation from their loved ones such as being kidnapped or having a an accident in a vehicle.

The onset of this disorder usually occurs in the early years of childhood, but adults can anxiety disorders be cured develop it at any age. It's not known what causes adult separation anxiety however it could be triggered by significant life changes or previous mental health disorders, like depression or PTSD. People with this condition may be overly dependent on their spouses or children and display a lack of boundaries. Others may perceive them as being too clingy or demanding.

The signs of this disorder include extreme stress when a person is cut off from their family, significant distress when they're away from their home or at work and frequent nightmares about separation. These symptoms of anxiety disorders can make people avoid traveling or engaging in other activities that involve a physical separation from family members, like going back to school. Children who suffer from this condition may have trouble sleeping or suffer from a range of physical ailments, such as headaches or stomach pains when they worry about being on their own.

To determine the severity of this disorder, a healthcare provider will ask about your your child's past and current 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 can include therapy for talk and, in some instances medications. Your therapist can show you and your child how to deal with their fears. They can also guide you approach situations that are feared in a step-by-step process that can help your child understand how to cope with separations and increase their confidence. The medication can relax the brain and body, as well as ease your child's anxieties.

Diagnosis

A person suffering from separation anxiety is likely to experience extreme anxiety when they are away from their home or close attachment figures. In contrast to the normal anxiety and fear that many people feel the symptoms of this disorder are long-lasting, usually lasting more than four weeks for children, and up to more than six months for adults. They cause major disruption to the daily routine and functioning at school and work. It can also affect a person's socialization and ability to form romantic relationships.

A mental health professional will interview and examine the patient's behavior to determine the cause of the disorder. The doctor will inquire about when symptoms began and what triggers them to worsen or improve. A mental health professional will ask about recent events and trauma history dependent on the age of the patient.

The provider will also determine if there is another medical condition that may cause similar symptoms. This may be due to an illness like cancer, or a neurological disorder such as cerebral palsy or multiple sclerosis. Other causes include childhood family problems like mental illness in the family and domestic violence, substance abuse and neglect and abuse of children.

It is a challenge to identify separation anxiety disorder among adults, since there are no tests for it and the symptoms can be similar to those of other phobias. Separation anxiety disorder is more frequent for adults who have had a traumatic experience or significant loss. Certain studies suggest that those who suffer from separation disorders in childhood may be more likely to develop depression and anxiety disorders as adults.

Separation anxiety disorder can be treated in many ways. Therapy such as cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) and medications, like selective serotonin receptor inhibitors and antidepressants, can help people overcome their fear. Parents who suffer from this disorder can benefit from strategies and training to strengthen their relationship with their child.

Treatment

While many children go through a stage where they are terrified of strangers and clingy If this fear persists through the elementary years and beyond, is associated with physical symptoms, and interferes with daily functioning it could be an indication of separation anxiety disorder. According to BetterHelp an online therapy service for children the disorder of separation anxiety affects up to 4% and has an average age of 7 years.

Your child's doctor will perform an exhaustive exam to rule out physical issues that could cause anxiety. If no physical issues are discovered the healthcare provider of your child will refer them to a mental health professional who has experience in anxiety disorders. For children, this will most likely be a psychiatrist or child psychologist.

Psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy, is typically the first option of treatment for separation anxiety disorder. The Therapist will assist your child to help them develop healthy ways of managing their emotions, boosting confidence in themselves and their independence, and building resilience. The therapist will also instruct parents on how they can support their child and help them with their anxiety. Medication, including antidepressants such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), is often prescribed along with psychotherapy for separation anxiety disorder.

The therapist will decide the best drug for anxiety disorder treatment plan for your child based on their specific needs. Children with severe anxiety, like, may benefit from a combination of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and exposure therapy. This involves exposing your child to situations that cause anxiety gradually, in small steps, until they feel comfortable with them.

As children get older, their symptoms usually decrease. There are some adults who suffer from symptoms of separation disorder in their adult life. It can be difficult for them keep relationships going or to achieve certain career goals such as returning to college or going to work. Adults with separation anxiety disorder have a high rate of co-occurring disorders, including other types of anxiety disorders, depression and phobias, post-traumatic stress disorder, and a variety of addiction disorders.

The following is a list of preventions.

Separation Anxiety Disorders Wikipedia is common among many children. But for others it can turn into a serious problem that interferes with their lives and stops them from engaging in activities they enjoy. Consult a mental health specialist if your child's fear is affecting their daily routine.

Children suffering from separation anxiety suffer extreme anxiety when they are separated from their parents or other important relationships. They are constantly concerned about being snatched away or lost, or that an accident could result in the loss of those closest to them. They may struggle to fall asleep at night or refuse to go to play dates, school, or camp without their parents.

Doctors do not diagnose separation anxiety until the symptoms of a child last at least four weeks. The healthcare professional may interview both the child and the parents in a separate session to obtain the complete picture. They may inquire about any other anxiety disorders or family history as well as life events that could have caused or made separation anxiety worse.

Treatment for anxiety disorder separation differs depending on the child's age and the severity of the symptoms. Younger children typically express their anxiety through specific concerns about harm to their attachment figures like a fear that their parents could be injured in a car crash or be attacked by a burglar. Separation anxiety in older children is often denied by them.

Behavioral therapy is a typical treatment for children with separation anxiety. It typically involves teaching children relaxation techniques and teaching them to recognize and control their fears. In some instances, a mixture of treatments, such as cognitive therapy, is employed.

Adults must be consistent in their responses to children who are experiencing anxiety about separation. Children need to be taught that their pleas for parents not to leave are not valid and they will only improve if they're provided with clear, definite boundaries and support as they work to overcome their fears.