Children and Teens With Separation Anxiety Disorder

Children and adolescents who suffer from separation anxiety disorders pathophysiology disorder are anxious about being away from their caregivers, parents or other significant people in their lives. They may also worry that being separated could have negative consequences, such as being lost or hurt.

Children with separation anxiety disorder can be treated with psychotherapy and medication. Therapy focuses on teaching children to deal with fearful situations slowly by providing reassurance and encouragement.

Signs and symptoms

While some anxiety over being apart from loved ones is normal separation anxiety disorder causes people more anxious than others when it comes to the separation from family members and primary caregiver figures. People with this disorder are concerned that something bad will occur to their family member while they are separated, for example, getting lost or becoming ill. They may also fear other scenarios that could separate them from their loved ones for example, being kidnapped or being involved in an accident.

The onset of this anxiety disorder typically begins in the early years of childhood, but adults can develop it at any time. Adult separation anxiety is not known to be caused by any specific factor however it could be caused by life changes such as depression, depression, or PTSD. The sufferers of this disorder might be overly dependent on children or romantic partners, and may lack boundaries. Some may see them as too demanding or clingy.

This condition is characterized by excessive distress when someone is separated from their family, significant stress while away from home or working, and recurring dreams involving separation. These symptoms can make people avoid travel or other activities that involve a physical separation from family members, for example, going back to school. Children who suffer from this condition may have trouble sleeping or may experience a variety of physical ailments including headaches or stomachaches, in the event of anxiety about being left alone.

A healthcare provider will ask you about your past and current symptoms or those of your child to determine if you suffer from separation anxiety. They will also inquire about your family and other relationships to see how you have overcome separation anxiety in the past.

Treatment for this disorder includes talk therapy and, in certain cases medication. Your therapist will teach you and your children how to cope with the anxiety. They can assist you and your child to learn how to deal with separations through a step by steps. Medicines can help to relax the mind and relax the body which can help ease your child's anxiety.

Diagnosis

A person suffering from separation anxiety will feel extreme distress when they are away from their the home or close family members. Contrary to the normal fears and anxieties that many people suffer from the symptoms of this disorder are long-lasting, usually lasting for more than four weeks for children, and up to up to six months in adults, and they create major disruptions to daily activities and performance at work and school. The condition can also interfere with the ability of a person to establish romantic relationships and socialize.

To determine the cause of this disorder, a mental health professional will interview the patient and observe the patient's behavior. The provider will want to know when the symptoms started and what triggers them to be more or less severe. Based on the age of the patient, a mental health professional may also ask about any recent events that may have caused stress, as well as any previous trauma history.

The doctor will also attempt to determine whether the phobia is a result of another medical condition that can cause similar symptoms, like an illness such as cancer or a neurological condition like cerebral palsy or multiple sclerosis. Other possible causes are family-related adversities that affect children, such as parental mental illness, addiction to drugs child abuse, domestic violence and neglect, as well as experiences with trauma, such as natural catastrophes and war, sexual assault or the death of loved ones.

The diagnosis of separation anxiety disorder in adults is more difficult as there are no lab tests for the condition and it may share a number of symptoms with other fears. Separation anxiety disorder is more common among adults who have suffered an emotional trauma or a major loss. Some studies suggest that people who suffer from separation disorders in their early years may be more likely to develop anxiety and depression disorders later in life.

Separation anxiety disorder can be treated in various ways. People suffering from separation anxiety disorder can overcome their phobia through therapy, such a cognitive behavioral treatment (CBT), or medications such as selective serotonin receptor antagonists and antidepressants. People with this disorder often benefit from parental education and techniques to improve the quality of their relationship with their children.

Treatment

Separation anxiety disorder can be diagnosed when a child's fear of strangers and clinginess is persistent throughout the elementary school years, and is manifested by physical symptoms, and affects daily activities. According to the BetterHelp online therapy service the disorder of separation anxiety is the most common anxiety disorder that is diagnosed in children that affects up to 4% of them, with an age at onset of around 7 years.

The doctor who treats your child will conduct a thorough examination to rule out physical problems that could cause anxiety disorders types. If no physical issues are found then the healthcare provider for your child will refer them to an anxiety disorder specialist. This could be a psychologist or child psychiatrist.

Psychotherapy (also called talk therapy) is usually the first treatment for separation anxiety disorder. The Therapist will assist your child to teach them healthy ways to manage their emotions, boosting self-confidence and independence, and building resilience. The therapist will also educate parents on how to help their child and aid them cope with their anxiety. Separation anxiety disorder is typically treated with medication, such as antidepressants, such as selective serotoninin receptor inhibitors (SSRIs).

The therapist will decide which treatment option is best for your child based on their individual needs. Children who suffer from severe anxiety, for example, may benefit from a combination of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and exposure therapy. This is the process of gradually exposing your child to the situations that trigger anxiety in small steps until they feel comfortable.

As children get older, their symptoms usually decrease. However, some adults could continue to have symptoms of separation anxiety disorder throughout their adult lives. This could make it difficult to maintain relationships or to pursue certain career goals, like returning to college or moving for work. Adults who suffer from separation anxiety have a high percentage of co-occurring disorders, including other generalized anxiety disorder cognitive behavioral therapy disorders depression and phobias, post-traumatic stress disorder, and a variety of substance use disorders.

Prevention

Separation anxiety is common among many children. For some, separation anxiety is a serious problem that interferes in their lives and hinders their participation in the activities they enjoy. If your child's anxiety is disrupting their routine, talk to a mental health professional.

Children suffering from separation anxiety suffer extreme stress when they are separated from their parents or other significant attachment figures. They are constantly concerned about being kidnapped, or lost, or that an accident will cause them to lose those closest to themselves. They might also have a hard time sleeping at night on their own or refusing to go to camps, school or play dates with their parents.

The signs of separation anxiety in children must last at least four weeks before a doctor can diagnose the problem. Often, the healthcare provider will interview the child and parents separately to get a full picture of the situation. They might ask questions about other anxiety disorders or changes in life like family history and life events that may have triggered the separation anxiety.

Treatment for separation anxiety varies depending on the age of the child, and the severity of the symptoms. Children express anxiety by worrying about their attachment figures. For example they might worry that their parents could be in a car crash or harmed by burglars. Separation anxiety in older children is frequently dismissed by them.

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 instances there is a mix of therapies, including cognitive therapy, is utilized.

Adults should be consistent in their responses to children experiencing separation anxiety. Children need to be taught that their pleas for parents not to leave aren't valid, and they will only improve if provided with clear, definite boundaries and a helping hand as they try to overcome their fears.