Children and Teens With Separation Anxiety Disorder

Separation anxiety disorder affects children and adolescents who worry frequently when they are not from their caregivers, parents, or other important people. They might also worry about the possible negative effects of separation, for example, being lost or getting injured.

Psychotherapy and medications can be used to treat children with separation anxiety disorder. Therapy involves teaching the child to approach feared situations gradually, with reassurance and support.

Symptoms

While some anxiety about being away from loved ones is normal separation anxiety disorder can cause people much more intensely anxious than others when it comes to the separation from family members and primary caregiving figures. People suffering from this disorder fear that their loved ones will be the victim of a tragic event if they are separated. This could mean getting lost or falling ill. They may also be fearful of other circumstances that could separate them from their loved ones for example, being kidnapped or getting into a a car accident.

This anxiety disorder can affect people at any age. It isn't known what causes adult separation anxiety, but it can be triggered by major life changes or previous mental health disorders, such as depression or PTSD. People who suffer from this disorder may feel too dependent on their spouses or children and exhibit poor boundaries. Some may view them as excessively clingy and demanding.

This condition is characterized by extreme distress when one is cut off from family, significant distress when away from home or at work, and frequent dreams involving separation. These symptoms can make people avoid traveling 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 headaches or stomach pains if they worry about being alone.

To diagnose this disorder, the healthcare professional will inquire about your or your child's previous and current symptoms. They will also inquire about your family and other relationships to see how you've faced separation anxiety in the past.

Treatment for this disorder consists of talking therapy and, in some instances medication. Your therapist will show you and your children how to deal with the anxiety disorder levels. They can also help you deal with situations that scare you by guiding you through the steps that can help your child understand how to handle separations and build their confidence. Medications can help to calm the mind and relax the body which can ease the anxiety of your child.

Diagnosis

Separation anxiety disorder can cause individuals to feel intense anxiety when they are away from their home or relatives. The symptoms of separation anxiety disorder can be more severe than normal anxiety disorders psychology definition and anxiety and. They can last up to six months for adults and for up to four weeks in children. They cause major disrupton to strengthen their relationship with their child.

Treatment

Separation anxiety disorder can be diagnosed when children's fear of strangers and clinginess is persistent throughout elementary school, and is accompanied with physical symptoms, and affects daily functioning. According to BetterHelp an online therapy service for children, separation anxiety disorder is a problem that affects as many as 4% of children with an average age of 7 years old.

The doctor who treats your child will conduct an exhaustive exam to rule out physical issues that could cause anxiety. If no physical ailments are found the healthcare professional for your child will refer them to an expert in anxiety disorders. This could be a child psychiatrist or psychologist.

Psychotherapy, also referred to as talk therapy, anxiety disorder separation is typically the first option of treatment for separation anxiety disorder treatments at home disorder. The therapist will help your child learn how to manage their feelings, increase self-confidence, independence, and build resilience. The therapist will also educate parents on how to assist their child and assist them deal with their anxiety. Separation anxiety disorder is typically treated with medication, such as antidepressants like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).

The therapist will determine the best treatment option for your child based upon their particular needs. Children who suffer from severe anxiety, for example might benefit from a combination cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and exposure therapy. This involves exposing your child to situations that cause anxiety gradually over time, in small steps, until they are at ease with them.

Typically, children suffering from separation anxiety disorder improve as they age, and their symptoms will decrease. However, some adults may experience symptoms of separation disorder throughout their adult lives. It can be difficult to keep relationships going or to achieve certain career goals like returning to college or going to work. Adults suffering from separation anxiety disorder have a high percentage of co-occurring conditions like other types of anxiety disorders such as depression, phobias, post-traumatic stress disorder, and a range of substance use disorders.

The following is a list of preventatives.

For many kids who are anxious about separation, it is a normal part of development. But for others it can turn into an issue that causes problems with their lives and prevents them from taking part in activities they like. Speak to a mental healthcare professional if your child's anxiety affects their daily routine.

Children suffering from separation anxiety suffer extreme anxiety when they are separated from their parents or other important relationships. They have persistent fears about being snatched away, missing or having an accident that will result in the loss of those closest to them. They may also have a hard time sleeping on their own at night or they may refuse to go to camp, school or play dates with their parents.

Doctors are not able to diagnose separation anxiety until the signs of a child last at least four weeks. Often, the healthcare provider will interview the child and parents separately to obtain an accurate picture of the situation. They may ask questions about other anxiety disorders or anxiety disorder separation changes in the life, such as family history and life events that could have triggered the separation anxiety.

Treatment for anxiety disorder separation (please click for source) varies depending on the child's age and the severity of the symptoms. Children express their anxiety by worrying about their attachment figures. For instance they might worry that their parents could be in a car crash or be attacked by a burglar. Separation anxiety in older children is often ignored by them.

Children who have anxiety about separation are usually treated with behavioral therapy. It involves teaching relaxation techniques to children and assisting them to understand and manage their anxiety. In some instances there is a mix of therapies, such as cognitive therapy, is used.

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