Children and Teens With Separation Anxiety Disorder

Children and adolescents who suffer from separation anxiety disorder are anxious about being away from their parents, caregivers or other significant people in their lives. They may also worry that separation could result in negative consequences, for example, getting hurt or lost.

Children suffering from separation anxiety can get treatment through therapy and medication. The child is taught to approach difficult situations slowly, with assurance.

Signs and symptoms

Separation anxiety disorder is more intense than normal anxiety in relation to being separated from family and primary caregivers. People who suffer from this condition are afraid that something tragic will happen to their family member if they are separated, like getting lost or becoming ill. They may also be fearful of other circumstances that could cause separation from their loved ones, such as being kidnapped or having a an accident with a car.

This does Anxiety disorder cause high blood pressure disorder can affect people at any age. Adult separation anxiety is not believed to be caused by anything specific however it can be triggered by life changes or depression. It can also be caused by PTSD. The sufferers of this disorder might feel a lot dependent on their children or their romantic partners, and have poor boundaries. Others may view them as being too demanding or clingy.

This condition is characterized by excessive distress when someone is separated from their family, a significant amount of distress while away from home or at work, and frequent dreams of separation. These symptoms can lead people to avoid traveling or other activities that require physical separation from their families, like going to school. Children who suffer from this condition might suffer physical issues such as headaches or stomach pains when they are worried about being left alone.

To determine the severity of this disorder, the healthcare professional will inquire about your or your child's past and current symptoms. They will also inquire about your family and other relationships to determine how you have overcome separation anxiety in the past.

Talk therapy and, in certain instances, medications are used to treat this condition. Your therapist will teach you and your child ways to deal with their fears. They can assist you and your child to understand how to handle separations in a step-by- step process. The medications can calm the mind, relax the body and reduce your child's anxiety.

Diagnosis

A person suffering from separation anxiety will feel extreme distress when they are away from their home or close attachment figures. The symptoms of separation anxiety disorder are more persistent than normal anxiety and fear. They can last for up to six months in adults and four weeks in children. They can cause significant disruptions in the daily routine, school, and work. The condition can also hinder with a person's ability to establish romantic relationships and socialize.

To diagnose this disorder, a mental health professional will interview the patient and observe their behavior. The healthcare provider will ask when symptoms first started and what triggers the symptoms to become worse or better. Depending on the person's age an expert in mental health might also inquire about any recent events that could have caused stress and any past trauma.

The doctor will also determine whether there is another medical condition that could cause similar symptoms. This may be an illness such as cancer, or an underlying neurological disorder, such as cerebral palsy or multiple sclerosis. Other possible causes are family-related adversities that affect children like parental mental illness, addiction to drugs or domestic violence, child abuse and neglect, and exposure to traumatic events such as natural catastrophes, war, sexual assault or the death of a loved one.

It is a challenge to identify separation anxiety disorder without medication disorder in adults, since there are no lab tests and the symptoms could be similar to the symptoms of other anxiety disorders. Separation anxiety disorder is more prevalent among adults who have suffered a traumatic experience or significant loss. Certain studies suggest that those diagnosed with separation disorder in childhood may be more likely to develop depression and anxiety disorders as adults.

Separation anxiety disorder can be treated in various ways. People with separation anxiety disorder can overcome their fear with therapy, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or medication like selective serotonin receptor antagonists and antidepressants. People suffering from this disorder usually benefit from education for parents and methods to improve the quality of their relationship with their children.

Treatment

Although many children go through a phase where they are clingy and fearful of strangers, when this anxiety persists throughout elementary school and beyond, is associated with physical symptoms, and affects daily functioning, it may be an indication of separation anxiety disorder. According to BetterHelp an online therapy service for children that treat separation anxiety disorder, it is a problem that affects as many as 4% of children with a median age of 7 years.

Your child's healthcare provider will conduct a thorough examination to rule out any physical problems that could be causing anxiety. If no physical problems are found the healthcare professional 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 option of treatment for separation anxiety disorder. The therapy therapist will assist your child to discover healthy ways to manage their feelings and increase self-confidence and independence, as well as build resilience. The therapist will also educate parents on ways to assist their child who is suffering from anxiety. The use of medication, like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are often prescribed along with psychotherapy for separation anxiety disorder.

Depending on your child's specific needs, the counselor will determine what treatment options are most appropriate for the child. For example, children with extreme anxiety may benefit from a combination of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and exposure therapy. This involves gradually expose your child to situations that cause anxiety in small steps until they are comfortable.

Most often, children suffering from separation anxiety disorder will improve as they get older and their symptoms diminish. However, some adults could be suffering from separation anxiety disorder throughout their adult lives. It can be challenging for them maintain relationships or pursue certain career goals like returning to college or moving to work. Adults with separation disorder are more likely to develop co-occurring disorders, such as depression, phobias, or post-traumatic disorder.

Prevention

For many children with separation anxiety, it's a normal part of development. For some, separation anxiety is a serious problem that can affect their lives and hinders their participation in activities they enjoy. If your child's anxiety is disrupting their daily routines discuss it with a mental health professional.

Separation anxiety disorder is a condition in which children suffer from extreme anxiety disorder blood pressure when they are separated from their parents or other figures of attachment. They are always worried about being snatched away, missing, or having an accident that will lead to the loss of loved ones to them. They may be having a difficult time sleeping on their own at night or they may refuse to go to camp, school or play dates without their parents.

The symptoms of separation anxiety in children must last for at least 4 weeks before a doctor will determine the cause. Often, the healthcare provider will interview the child and their parents separately to obtain an accurate picture of the situation. They may ask questions about other anxiety disorders or life changes such as family history and life events that might cause separation anxiety.

Treatment for separation anxiety disorder is dependent on the age of the child, and the severity of the symptoms. Children who are younger usually express their anxiety through specific concerns about harm to their family members for example, being worried that their parents might be hurt in a car crash or be attacked by burglars. By contrast older children with separation anxiety typically deny that they are worried about leaving home.

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

It's crucial for adults to be consistent in their responses to children's anxiety about separation. Children must be taught that their pleas to parents not to leave them are not valid. They can only grow if they receive clear, firm boundaries, and help in overcoming their fears.