Don't Make This Mistake You're Using Your Anxiety Disorder Separation
Children and Teens With Separation Anxiety Disorder
Separation anxiety disorder is a problem that affects children and adolescents who fret excessively when they are separated from their parents, caregivers, or other important people. They might also worry about a possible negative outcome of separation, like getting lost or injured.
Psychotherapy and medication can be used to treat children with separation anxiety disorder. Therapy involves teaching the child to manage fearful situations gradually by providing reassurance and encouragement.
Signs and symptoms
Although some anxiety about being away from loved ones is normal separation anxiety disorder causes people much more intensely anxious than others when it comes to the separation from family members and primary caregiver figures. People with this condition fear that their family member could be the victim of a tragic incident when they are separated. This could include getting lost or falling ill. They might also be afraid of other situations that can separate them from their loved ones such as being abducted or being involved in a car accident.
This anxiety disorder can affect people at any age. It isn't known what causes separation anxiety in adults however it could be triggered by major life changes or previous mental health disorders, such as depression or PTSD. People suffering from this disorder may feel overly dependent on their children or their romantic partners, and may lack boundaries. Others may see them as overly demanding and clingy.
This condition is characterized by extreme anxiety when a person is separated from family, significant distress while away from home or at work, and frequent dreams of separation. These symptoms can make people avoid traveling or other activities that require the physical separation of their families, such as going to school. Children who suffer from this condition might have physical issues, such as headaches or stomach pains if they worry about being left alone.
A healthcare provider will ask you about your previous and current symptoms, or those of your child in order to determine the cause of separation anxiety. They will also inquire about your family and other relationships to find out how you've overcome separation anxiety in the past.
Treatment for this disorder consists of talk therapy and, in some cases, medication. Your therapist can teach you and your child ways to deal with their fears. They can help you and your child to learn to manage separations through a step by step process. The medication can relax the brain and relax the body to help ease your child's fears.
Diagnosis
A person suffering from separation anxiety will experience extreme stress when apart from family members or close friends. The symptoms of separation anxiety are more persistent than normal anxiety and fear. They can last for up to six months in adults and for up to four weeks in children. They can cause major disruptions to daily life at school, work, and home. It can also impact the person's social life and ability to establish romantic relationships.
To determine the cause of this disorder, a mental health professional will talk to the patient and observe their behavior. The doctor will want to determine when the symptoms began and what makes them worse or better. Based on the age of the patient, a mental health professional will also inquire about any recent events that could be causing stress, as well as any history of trauma.
The doctor will also try to determine whether the phobia is a result of another medical condition that could cause similar symptoms, for example an illness, like cancer or a neurological condition, such as cerebral palsy or multiple-sclerosis. Other causes include childhood family traumas like mental illness of the parents and domestic violence, substance abuse and neglect and abuse of children.
It is difficult to diagnose separation anxiety disorder in adults because there aren't any lab tests and the symptoms can be similar to the symptoms of other phobias. Separation anxiety disorder is more frequent in adults who have experienced trauma or a significant loss. Certain studies suggest that those who were diagnosed with separation anxiety disorder in their childhood are more likely to be suffering from depression and anxiety disorders in adulthood.
There are a variety of treatment options available for those suffering from separation anxiety disorder. There are many treatment options available for people suffering from. Treatment such as cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) as well as medications, like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors as well as antidepressants, can help overcome the phobia. Parents who suffer from this disorder can benefit from strategies and training to strengthen their relationship with their child.
Treatment
Separation anxiety disorder is diagnosed when the child's fear of being around strangers and clinginess continues throughout elementary school, is accompanied with physical symptoms and impedes everyday functioning. In fact, according to the BetterHelp online therapy service, separation anxiety disorder is the most common anxiety disorder seen in children, affecting up to 4% of them, with an age at onset of about 7 years.
The doctor who treats your child will conduct an exhaustive exam to rule out physical problems that could cause anxiety. If no physical problems are discovered then the healthcare provider for your child will refer them to an anxiety disorder specialist. This will likely be a child psychiatrist or psychologist.
Psychotherapy (also known as talk therapy) is typically the first treatment for separation anxiety disorder. The therapist will help your child discover healthy ways to manage their feelings, increase self-confidence, independence, and build resilience. The therapist will also educate parents on ways they can aid their child suffering from anxiety. Treatment, such as antidepressants like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are often prescribed in addition to psychotherapy for separation anxiety disorder.
The therapist will determine which treatment option is best for your child based on their specific needs. Children who suffer from severe anxiety, like could benefit from a combination of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and exposure therapy. This involves gradually expose your child to situations that cause anxiety over time in a series of small steps until they are comfortable.
Most often, children suffering from separation anxiety disorder improve as they get older and their symptoms decrease. There are some adults who suffer from symptoms of separation disorder in their adult life. This can make it difficult for them to maintain relationships or achieve certain career goals, such as returning to college or moving for work. Adults who suffer from separation anxiety have a high rate of co-occurring conditions like other anxiety disorders depression, phobias and post-traumatic stress disorder, and a range of substance use disorders.
The following is a list of preventions.
For many kids with separation anxiety, it's an expected part of developing. For others, anxiety over separation can be a serious issue that interferes in their lives and prevents participation in activities they love. Consult a mental health professional if your child's anxiety is affecting their daily life.
Children with separation anxiety disorder suffer extreme stress when they are separated from their parents or other important attachment figures. They are always worried about being kidnapped or lost, or that an accident could cause them to lose those closest to them. They may have trouble falling to sleep at night, or refusing to go to play dates, school, or camp without their parents.
The symptoms of separation anxiety in children must last at least four weeks before a doctor will diagnose the condition. The healthcare provider can interview both the child and parents in a separate session to obtain the complete picture. They may also ask questions regarding other anxiety disorders or life changes like family history or life events that might have triggered the separation anxiety.
Treatment for separation anxiety disorder differs based on the child's age, and the severity of symptoms. Younger children tend to express their anxiety through specific worries about harm to their family members for example, a fear that their parents will get in a car crash or be attacked by burglars. Separation anxiety in older children is often denied by them.
Children with separation anxiety are often treated with behavioral therapy. It usually involves teaching children relaxation techniques and assisting them in learning to recognize and manage their fears. In some instances, a combination of treatments is employed, such as cognitive therapy and medication.
Adults should be consistent in their responses to children experiencing anxiety over separation. Children need to understand that their parents' pleas not to leave them are not valid. They can only grow by receiving clear, firm boundaries, and help in conquering their fears.