10 Meetups About Anxiety Disorder Separation You Should Attend
Children and Teens With Separation Anxiety Disorder
Children and adolescents who suffer from separation anxiety disorder are anxious about being separated from their caregivers, parents or other important people in their lives. They might also be concerned that separation could result in negative consequences, for example, being hurt or lost.
Children with separation anxiety disorder can get treatment through therapy and medication. Therapy focuses on teaching children to approach feared situations gradually with encouragement and support.
Symptoms
While some anxiety over being away from loved ones is normal separation anxiety disorder can cause people much more intensely anxious than other people when it comes to being separated from family members and primary caregiver figures. People with this disorder are concerned that something tragic will occur to their family member while they are separated, for example, losing their way or falling ill. They may also be fearful of other scenarios that could cause separation from their loved ones for example, being kidnapped or getting into a an accident with a car.
This anxiety disorder can affect people at any age. It's unclear what causes adult separation anxiety, but it can be caused by significant life changes or prior mental health issues such as depression or PTSD. People who suffer from this condition may be overly dependent on their children or their romantic partners and have trouble establishing boundaries. Others may see them as overly demanding and clingy.
This condition is characterized by extreme anxiety when a person is separated from their family, a significant amount of distress when away from home or working, and recurring dreams of separation. These symptoms can make people avoid travel or other activities that entail the physical separation of their families, like going to school. Children who suffer from this condition might experience physical problems such as stomach pains when they are worried about being on their own.
A healthcare professional will ask you about your current and past symptoms or those of your child to determine the cause of separation anxiety. They will also inquire about your family and other relationships to determine how you've overcome separation anxiety in the past.
Treatment for this disorder consists of talk therapy and, in certain cases medications. Your therapist will instruct you and your children how to deal with the fear. They can help you and your child to learn to manage separations through a step by procedure. The use of medication can help calm the brain and relax the body which can help ease your child's anxiety.
Diagnosis
A person suffering from separation anxiety disorder will experience extreme stress when they are away from their family members or close friends. The symptoms of separation anxiety disorder are more persistent than normal anxiety and fear. They can last up to six months in adults and up to four weeks in children. They can cause major disruptions to daily life as well as school and work. It can also affect the person's social life and ability to develop romantic relationships.
A mental health professional will interview and examine the patient's behavior to diagnose this disorder. The doctor will want to determine when the symptoms began and what triggers them to be worse or better. Based on the age of the patient an expert in mental health may also ask about any recent events that may have caused stress and any past trauma.
The doctor will also determine whether there is another medical condition that may cause similar symptoms. This may be a condition such as cancer, or a neurological disorder like cerebral palsy or multiple sclerosis. Other causes are family traumas like mental illness of the parents, domestic violence, substance abuse and child neglect and abuse.
Diagnosis of separation anxiety disorder in adults is more difficult, since there aren't any lab tests for the condition, and it may have a variety of symptoms with other fears. Separation anxiety disorder is more frequent for adults who have had an emotional trauma or a major loss. Some studies indicate that people who suffer from separation disorders in childhood are more likely to develop anxiety and depression disorders later in life.
There are a variety of treatment options available for those suffering from separation anxiety disorder. People suffering from separation anxiety disorder can overcome their phobia through therapy, like a cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or medication like selective serotonin receptor antagonists and antidepressants. Parents with this disorder can benefit from strategies and training to strengthen their relationship with their child.
Treatment
Separation anxiety disorder may be diagnosed when a child's fear of strangers and clinginess continues throughout elementary school, is associated with physical symptoms, and affects daily functioning. According to BetterHelp, an online therapy service for children, separation anxiety disorder affects up to 4% with a median age of 7 years old.
Your child's healthcare professional will conduct a thorough exam to identify any physical issues that could be causing anxiety. If no physical issues are discovered the healthcare provider of your child will refer them to an expert in mental health who has expertise in anxiety disorders. It could be a child psychiatrist or psychologist.
Psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy, is usually the first option of treatment for separation anxiety disorder. The therapist will work with your child to help them develop healthy ways to manage their emotions, building self-confidence and independence, and building resilience. The therapist will also educate parents on ways they can aid their child suffering from anxiety. Medication, including antidepressants like selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), is often prescribed in addition to psychotherapy for separation anxiety disorder.
panic anxiety disorder will determine the best treatment plan for your child based upon their particular needs. For example, children with extreme anxiety may benefit from a combination of cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) and exposure therapy. This involves exposing your child to situations that trigger their anxiety gradually over time in small steps until they are comfortable with them.
As children get older, their symptoms usually decrease. However, some adults may still suffer from symptoms of separation anxiety disorder throughout their adult lives. This could make it difficult to maintain relationships or to pursue certain career goals, such as returning to school or relocating for work. Adults suffering from separation disorder are more likely to develop co-occurring disorders such as depression, phobias, and post-traumatic disorder.
Prevention
For many kids, separation anxiety is a normal part of development. For others, anxiety over separation can be a major issue that interferes in their lives and prevents them from participating in activities they enjoy. Talk to a mental health professional if your child's fear is affecting their daily life.
Children suffering from separation anxiety experience extreme distress when separated from their parents or other major attachment figures. They are constantly worried about being kidnapped or lost or that an accident will cause them to lose those closest to them. They might have difficulty falling asleep at night or refuse to go to school, play dates, or camp without their parents.
Doctors are not able to diagnose separation anxiety until the signs of a child are present for at minimum four weeks. Often, the healthcare provider will interview the child and their parents separately to obtain an entire picture of the situation. They might ask questions regarding other anxiety disorders or life changes such as family history and life events that could trigger the separation anxiety.
Treatment for anxiety disorder separation differs by the child's age and the severity of the symptoms. Younger children tend to express their anxiety by expressing specific fears about harm to their family members like the fear that their parents will get in a car accident or be attacked by a burglar. In contrast older children with separation anxiety usually deny that they have any anxiety about leaving the house.
Children who have anxiety about separation are often treated using behavioral therapy. It typically involves teaching children relaxation techniques and helping them learn to recognize and manage their anxieties. In some instances there is a mix of therapies, such as cognitive therapy, is used.
Adults must be consistent in their responses to children who are experiencing separation anxiety. Children need to be taught that their requests for parents not to leave are not valid, and they'll only improve if provided with clear, definite boundaries and support as they work to overcome their fears.