This Is A Anxiety Disorder Separation Success Story You'll Never Remember

Children and Teens With Separation Anxiety Disorder

Separation anxiety disorders affect adolescents and children who worry overly when they are away from their caregivers, parents or other significant people. They may also worry that being separated could have negative consequences, for example, being hurt or lost.

Children with separation anxiety disorders can get treatment through therapy and medication. Therapy focuses on teaching children to deal with fearful situations slowly by providing reassurance and encouragement.

Symptoms

While some anxiety about being away from loved ones is normal separation anxiety disorder causes people more anxious than other people when it comes to being separated from family members and primary caregiver figures. People suffering from this disorder fear that their family member could be the victim of a tragic incident when they are separated. This could mean that they get lost or falling ill. They might also be scared of other situations that could cause separation from their loved ones, including being abducted or having an accident with a car.

The onset of this disorder usually occurs in the earliest years of life, however adults can develop it at any time. It isn't known what causes adult separation anxiety however, it could be triggered by significant life changes or previous mental health disorders, such as depression or PTSD. The people who suffer from this disorder may feel too dependent on their children or romantic partners and have trouble establishing boundaries. Others may see them as being too demanding and clingy.

This condition is characterized by extreme anxiety when a person is separated from family, significant distress while away from home or working, and recurring dreams of separation. These symptoms can cause people to avoid travel or other activities that require the physical separation of their families, like going to school. Children suffering from this condition could suffer physical issues such as stomach pains if they worry about being on their own.

A healthcare professional will ask you about your current and past symptoms or those of your child in order to determine if you suffer from separation anxiety. They will also ask you about your family and other relationships to determine how you've faced separation anxiety in the past.


Treatment for this disorder consists of therapy for talk and, in some instances medication. 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 can help your child understand how to cope with separations and build up their confidence. The medication can relax the brain, relax the body and reduce your child's anxiety.

Diagnosis

Separation anxiety disorder can cause individuals to feel intense stress when they are away from their home or other close relatives. Contrary to the normal fears and anxieties that people generally experience these symptoms disorder are persistent, often lasting for more than four weeks in children, and up to up to six months in adults, and they cause major disruption to daily life and function at school and work. It can also impact the social life of a person and their ability to form romantic relationships.

A mental health professional will interview and examine the patient's behavior to diagnose this disorder. The healthcare provider will want determine when the symptoms began and what makes them worse or better. A mental health professional will ask about recent events and history of trauma in relation to the age of the person.

The doctor will also attempt to determine whether the fear is a result of another medical condition that may cause similar symptoms, for example an illness, like cancer or a neurological condition like cerebral palsy or multiple-sclerosis. Other causes include childhood family adversities such as mental illness in the family, domestic violence, substance abuse and neglect and abuse of children.

Diagnosis of separation anxiety disorder in adults is more difficult, as there are no lab tests for the condition and it can share many symptoms with other phobias. Separation anxiety disorder is more prevalent among adults who have suffered a traumatic experience or significant loss. There are studies that suggest that those who have been diagnosed with separation anxiety disorder as children are more likely to be suffering from depression and anxiety disorders as they age.

Separation anxiety disorder can be treated in a variety of ways. People suffering from separation anxiety disorder can overcome their fear with therapy, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), or medications like selective serotonin antagonists and antidepressants. Parents with this disorder can benefit from methods and education to improve their relationship with their child.

Treatment

Separation anxiety disorder can be diagnosed when a child's fear of strangers and clinginess continues throughout elementary school, is accompanied with physical symptoms and impedes everyday functioning. According to BetterHelp, an online therapy service for children that treat separation anxiety disorder, it affects up to 4%, with a median age of 7 years old.

Your child's doctor will perform an extensive exam to rule out physical ailments that could cause anxiety. If no physical issues are discovered the doctor who treats your child will refer them to a mental health professional who has experience in anxiety disorders. For children it will likely be a child psychologist or psychiatrist.

Psychotherapy, also referred to 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 their resilience. The therapist will also train parents on how to help their child and aid them with their anxiety. The use of medication, like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), is often prescribed in addition to psychotherapy for separation anxiety disorder.

The therapist will decide which treatment option is best for your child based upon their particular needs. For example, children with severe anxiety may benefit from a combination of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and exposure therapy. This means gradually exposing your child to the situations that cause anxiety in small steps until they feel comfortable.

As children grow older their symptoms tend to decrease. Some adults may still experience symptoms of separation disorder in their adult life. This could make it difficult to maintain relationships or pursue certain career goals, like returning to school or relocating for work. Adults suffering from separation anxiety disorder are more likely to suffer from co-occurring conditions, such as other anxiety disorders depression and phobias, post-traumatic stress disorder, and a variety of substance use disorders.

The following is a list with preventions.

Separation anxiety is common among many children. But for others, it can become 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 affects their daily routine.

Separation anxiety disorder is a condition where children experience severe anxiety when they are separated from their parents or other figures of attachment. They are constantly worried about being kidnapped or lost or that an accident might result in the loss of those closest to them. They may also have trouble sleeping at night on their own or they may refuse to go to camps, school, or play dates without their parents.

Doctors are not able to diagnose separation anxiety until the symptoms of a child are present for at least four weeks. The healthcare provider can interview both the child as well as the parents individually to gather the complete picture. They may ask about other anxiety disorders or family history as well as changes in life that may have caused or made the separation anxiety more severe.

Treatment for separation anxiety varies depending on the child's age, and the severity of the symptoms. Children express their anxiety through worrying about their attachment figures. For instance, they may worry that their parents could be involved in a car accident or harmed by burglars. Separation anxiety in older children is usually denied by them.

Children who have anxiety about separation are often treated with behavioral therapy. It typically involves teaching children relaxation techniques and teaching them to recognize and manage their anxieties. In some cases, a mixture of treatments, such as cognitive therapy, is used.

It's important for adults to be consistent in their responses to children's separation anxiety. generalized anxiety disorder must be taught that their pleas to parents not to leave them not valid. They can only grow if they receive clear, definite boundaries and help in conquering their fears.

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Pub: 12 May 2024 11:13 UTC
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