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 might also be worried about the negative consequences of separation, like getting lost or being injured.

Children with separation anxiety disorders can be treated with psychotherapy and medication. The child is taught to tackle the fearful situations slowly, and with confidence.

Signs and symptoms

While some anxiety over being away from loved ones is normal separation anxiety disorder can cause people much more intensely anxious than others when it comes to being separated from family members and primary caregiver figures. People suffering from this disorder are worried that their loved ones will be the victim of a tragic event if they are separated. This could include getting lost or falling ill. They might also be afraid of other situations that could make them separated from their loved ones for example, being kidnapped or getting into a an accident in a vehicle.

The first signs of this anxiety disorder usually occurs in childhood, though adults can develop it at any age. Adult separation anxiety disorder medication is not believed to be caused by any specific factor however it could be triggered by life changes such as depression, depression, or PTSD. The sufferers of this disorder might feel overly dependent on their children or romantic partners, and lack boundaries. Others may perceive them as being too demanding or clingy.

The signs of this disorder include a high level of distress when a person is cut off from their family, significant distress when they're away from home or work and frequent nightmares about separation. These symptoms can cause people to avoid traveling or other activities that require a physical separation from their families, like going to school. Children with this condition may have difficulty sleeping or may experience a variety of physical ailments including headaches or stomach pains in the event of anxiety about being alone.

A healthcare professional will ask you about your past and current symptoms, or the symptoms of your child to determine the cause of separation anxiety. They will also inquire about your family and other relationships to find out how you've dealt with separation anxiety in the past.

Talk therapy and, in a few instances, medication are used to treat this condition. Your therapist will instruct you and your children how to cope with the fears. They can help you and your child understand how to handle separations in a step by procedure. The use of medication can help calm the mind and relax the body, which can help ease your child's anxiety.

Diagnosis

A person suffering from separation anxiety is likely to experience extreme anxiety when separated from family members or close friends. Unlike normal fear and worry that many people feel, the symptoms of this disorder can be persistent, typically lasting longer than four weeks in children and up to six months in adults. They cause major disruption to the daily routine and functioning at school and worerience a period when they become clingy and fearful of strangers When this fear persists into elementary school and beyond and is associated with physical symptoms, and interferes with 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 an average age of 7 years old.

Your child's healthcare professional will conduct a thorough examination to rule out any physical problems that may be causing their anxiety. If no physical ailments are discovered, the healthcare provider for your child will refer them to an anxiety disorder specialist. For children who are ill, this could be a psychiatrist or child psychologist.

Psychotherapy, also referred to as talk therapy, is typically the first option of treatment for separation anxiety disorder. The therapy therapist will assist your child to learn healthy ways to manage their emotions, increase self-confidence and independence, as well as build resilience. The therapist will also educate parents on how they can aid their child suffering from anxiety. Separation anxiety disorder is often treated by medication, for example antidepressants such as selective serotoninin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).

Depending on your child's specific needs, the therapist will determine which treatment options are appropriate for them. Children who suffer from severe anxiety, for example might benefit from a combination of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) as well as exposure therapy. This is the process of gradually exposing your child to the situations that cause anxiety over time in a series of small steps until they are comfortable.

Most often, children suffering from separation anxiety disorder will improve as they get older, and their symptoms will decrease. Some adults may still experience symptoms of separation disorder in their adult life. This makes it difficult for them to keep relationships or pursue certain career goals, such as returning to school or relocating for work. Adults who suffer from separation disorder are more likely to develop co-occurring disorders, such as depression, phobias and post-traumatic disorder.

Prevention

Separation anxiety is a common occurrence in many children. For some, separation anxiety can be a major issue that interferes in their lives and prevents participation in activities they enjoy. Talk to a mental health professional if your child's fear is affecting their daily routine.

Children with separation anxiety disorder suffer extreme anxiety disorder anxiety disorder separation when they are separated from their parents or other important attachment figures. They are constantly worried about being snatched away or lost or that an accident will result in the loss of those closest to them. They might also have a hard time sleeping on their own at night or refusing to go to camps, school or play dates with their parents.

Doctors do not diagnose separation hyper anxiety disorder until the signs of a child last at least four weeks. The healthcare provider may interview both the child as well as the parents individually to obtain the complete picture. They may also ask questions regarding other Anxiety Disorder Medication List disorders or life changes, such as family history and Anxiety disorder Medication List life events that may trigger the separation anxiety.

Treatment for separation anxiety disorder is dependent on the child's age and the severity of symptoms. Children express their generalised anxiety disorder by worrying about their attachment figures. For example, they may worry that their parents could be in a car crash or harmed by a burglar. However older children with separation anxiety often deny they are anxious about leaving the house.

Behavioral therapy is a common treatment for children suffering from separation anxiety. It involves teaching relaxation techniques to children and assisting them to identify and manage their anxiety. In some cases there is a mix of therapies, including cognitive therapy, is utilized.

Adults should be consistent in their responses to children experiencing anxiety over separation. Children must be taught that their parents' pleas not to leave them not valid. They will only be able to improve when they are given clear, firm boundaries, and help in overcoming their fears.