Children and Teens With Separation Anxiety Disorder

Separation anxiety disorders affect children and adolescents who fret overly when they are away from their caregivers, parents or other significant people. They may also worry that separation could have negative consequences, like being lost or hurt.

Children with separation anxiety disorder can be treated with therapy and medication. Therapy involves teaching the child to deal with fearful situations slowly with encouragement and support.

Signs and symptoms

While some anxiety over being away from loved ones is normal separation anxiety disorder causes people more anxious than other people when it comes to separating from family members and primary caregiver figures. People who suffer from this condition are afraid that something terrible could occur to their family member when they are separated, such as getting lost or becoming ill. They might also be scared of other scenarios that could separate them from their loved ones such as being kidnapped or having a an accident in a vehicle.

The first signs of this anxiety disorder usually occurs in childhood, though adults can be affected at any time. Adult separation anxiety isn't thought to be caused by any specific factor however it can be triggered by changes in life or depression. It can also be caused by PTSD. People suffering from this disorder may feel overly dependent on their children or romantic partners, and have poor boundaries. Some may see them as being too demanding or clingy.

This condition is marked by a high level of distress when one is cut off from their family, a significant amount of 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 physical separation from family members, for example, going back to school. Children with this condition may have difficulty sleeping or suffer from a range of physical ailments like stomach pains or headaches, in the event of anxiety about being left alone.

A healthcare professional will ask you about your current and past symptoms, or those of your child in order to determine the cause of separation anxiety. They will also ask you about your family and other relationships to see how you've faced separation anxiety in the past.

Talk therapy and, in some instances, medications are used to treat this condition. Your therapist will show you and your children how to deal with the anxiety. They can help you and anxiety disorder separation your child learn how to deal with separations in a step by steps. The medication can relax the mind, relax the body and ease your child's anxieties.

Diagnosis

A person suffering from separation anxiety will experience extreme stress when they are away from their family members or close friends. The symptoms of separation social anxiety disorder symptoms are more persistent than normal
Treatment

Separation anxiety disorder may be diagnosed when a child's fear of strangers and clinginess is persistent throughout the elementary school years, and is associated with physical symptoms and impedes daily functioning. According to BetterHelp, an online therapy service for children that treat separation anxiety disorder, it affects up to 4% with a median age of 7 years.

Your child's healthcare provider will conduct a thorough exam to rule out any physical problems that could be causing anxiety. If no physical ailments are found then the healthcare provider for your child will refer them to an expert in anxiety disorders. This will likely be a child psychiatrist or psychologist.

Psychotherapy (also called talk therapy) is often the first treatment for separation anxiety disorder. The therapy therapist will assist your child to learn healthy ways to manage their emotions, increase self-confidence, independence, and build resilience. The therapist will also educate parents on ways they can help their child with anxiety. Treatment, such as antidepressants like selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are typically prescribed along with psychotherapy for separation anxiety disorder.

The therapist will decide the best treatment plan for your child based on their specific needs. For instance, children who suffer from severe anxiety might benefit from a combination of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and exposure therapy. This involves gradually exposing your child to the situations that cause anxiety in small steps until they feel comfortable.

As children get older their symptoms tend to decrease. However, some adults may experience symptoms of separation disorder throughout their adult lives. It can be challenging to maintain relationships or to pursue certain career goals like returning to college or going to work. Adults who suffer from separation anxiety are more likely to suffer from co-occurring conditions, such as other anxiety disorders, depression, phobias and post-traumatic stress disorder, and a variety of addiction disorders.

The following is a list of preventions.

Separation anxiety is common among many children. For others, separation anxiety can be a major issue that affects their lives and hinders their participation in the activities they enjoy. If your child's fears are disrupting their routine discuss it with an expert in mental health.

Separation anxiety disorder is a disorder in which children experience severe distress when they are away from their parents or other figures of attachment. They are always worried about being snatched away or lost or that an accident could result in the loss of those closest to themselves. They may have trouble falling to sleep at night, or refusing to go to school, play dates or camp without their parents.

The symptoms of separation anxiety in children should last for at least four weeks before a doctor can diagnose the condition. Most often, the healthcare professional will interview the child and their parents separately to obtain a full picture of the situation. They may also ask questions regarding other anxiety disorders or changes in the life such as family history and life events that may trigger the separation anxiety.

Treatment for anxiety disorder separation varies according to the age of the child and the severity of the symptoms. Children younger than 5 years old typically express their anxiety through specific worries about harm to their loved ones, such as a fear that their parents will get in a car crash or be attacked by a burglar. Separation anxiety in older children is often ignored by them.

Behavioral therapy is a common treatment for children suffering from separation panic anxiety disorder. It involves teaching relaxation techniques to children and helping them recognize and control their generalized anxiety disorder cognitive behavioral therapy. In some cases, a combination of therapies is used, including medication and cognitive therapy.

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 are not valid, and they'll only improve if they're given clear, precise boundaries and a helping hand as they try to overcome their fears.