Children and Teens With Separation Anxiety Disorder

Children and adolescents with separation anxiety disorder worry excessively about being away from their caregivers, parents or other important people in their lives. They might also worry about the possible negative effects of separation, such as getting lost or injured.

Psychotherapy and medication can be used to treat children with separation anxiety disorders. Therapy involves teaching the child to deal with fearful situations slowly, with reassurance and support.

Symptoms

Separation anxiety disorder is more severe than normal anxiety in relation to being separated from family and primary caregivers. People suffering from this condition are worried that something tragic will occur to their family member when they are separated, such as being lost or getting sick. They might also be afraid of other scenarios that could cause separation from their loved ones, including being abducted or having an accident in a vehicle.

The onset of this disorder typically begins in the early years of childhood, but adults can be affected at any time. It's not known what causes separation anxiety in adults however, it could be caused by major life changes or by previous mental health disorders, such as depression or PTSD. The sufferers of this disorder might feel a lot dependent on children or their romantic partners, and lack boundaries. Others may see them as being too clingy and demanding.

This condition is characterized by excessive distress when someone is separated from family, significant distress while away from home or at work, and frequent thoughts of separation. These symptoms can make people avoid travel or other activities that require physical separation from their families, for example, going to school. Children suffering from this condition could have physical issues, such as headaches or stomach pains when they worry about being on their own.

To diagnose this disorder medical professionals will inquire about your your child's past and present symptoms. They will inquire about your family and other relationships, to see how you've faced separation anxiety in the past.

Treatment for this disorder includes talk therapy and, in certain cases, medication. Your therapist will teach you and your child methods to cope with their fears. They can also assist you deal with situations that scare you in a step-by-step process that can help your child understand how to handle separations and build their confidence. The medication can relax the brain, relax the body and help ease your child's fears.

Diagnosis

Separation anxiety disorder causes individuals to feel intense stress when they are away from their home or other close attachment figures. In contrast to the normal anxiety and fear that many people feel these symptoms disorder are long-lasting, usually lasting for more than four weeks in children and six months or longer in adults. They cause major disruption to the daily routine and functioning at work and school. It can also affect the social life of a person and their ability to establish romantic relationships.

A mental health professional will interview and observe the patient's behavior to determine the cause of the disorder. The provider will ask when symptoms first started and what triggers them to worsen or improve. A mental health professional will inquire about recent events and the history of trauma dependent on the age of the patient.

The doctor will also try to determine whether the phobia is due to another medical condition that could cause similar symptoms, such as an illness such as cancer or a neurological condition like cerebral palsy or multiple-sclerosis. Other causes are family problems like parental mental illnesses and substance abuse, domestic violence and child abuse and neglect.

It is difficult to diagnose separation anxiety disorder in adults because there are no lab tests and the symptoms can be similar to other phobias. Separation anxiety disorder is more common among adults who have suffered trauma or a significant loss. There are studies that suggest that those who have been diagnosed with separation anxiety disorder in childhood are more likely to suffer from anxiety and depression as they age.

Separation anxiety disorder can be treated in various ways. People suffering from separation anxiety disorder can overcome their fear with therapy, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), or medications like selective serotonin antagonists and antidepressants. Parents suffering from this disorder can benefit from methods and education to strengthen their relationship with their child.

Treatment

Many children go through a stage when they become anxious and clingy to strangers, when this anxiety persists throughout elementary school and beyond, is accompanied by physical symptoms, and causes problems with daily activities, it may be an indication of separation anxiety disorder. In fact, according to the BetterHelp online therapy service the disorder of separation anxiety is the most prevalent anxiety disorder seen in children, affecting up to 4% of them, with an onset age of around 7 years.

The healthcare provider for your child will conduct a thorough examination to identify any physical issues that may be causing their anxiety. If no physical ailments are discovered, the healthcare provider for your child will refer them to an expert in anxiety disorders. For children who are ill, this could be a child psychologist or psychiatrist.

Psychotherapy (also known as talk therapy) is often the first option for treating separation anxiety disorder. The Therapist will assist your child to help them learn healthy ways of managing their emotions, building confidence in themselves and their independence, and building their resilience. The therapist will also train parents on how to help their child and aid them with their anxiety. Separation anxiety disorder is typically treated with medication, such as antidepressants like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).

Based on the specific needs of your child's needs, the therapy therapist will determine which options are best for their specific needs. Children with severe anxiety, for example, may benefit from a combination of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) as well as exposure therapy. This involves exposing your child to situations that cause anxiety gradually by introducing them in small increments until they are comfortable with them.

As children get older their symptoms tend to decrease. However, some adults might continue to have symptoms of separation anxiety throughout their adult lives. This could make it difficult for them to keep relationships or to pursue certain career goals, such as returning to college or moving for work. Adults suffering from separation disorder are more likely to develop co-occurring disorders such as depression, phobias, and post-traumatic disorder.

The following is a list of preventions.

For many kids with separation anxiety, it's a normal part of development. However, for some it can be a serious problem that interferes with their lives and stops them from taking part in activities they like. If your child's fears are disrupting their daily routines, talk to an expert in mental health.

Children with separation anxiety disorder experience extreme distress when separated from their parents or other important family members. They have persistent fears about being abducted, lost or having an accident that will lead to the loss of people who are close to them. They may struggle to fall to sleep at night, or refusing to go to school, play dates or camp without their parents.

The signs of separation anxiety in children must last at least four weeks before a physician can diagnose the problem. Most often, the healthcare professional will interview the child and their parents separately to get an accurate picture of the situation. They may also ask questions about anxiety disorders or changes in the life, such as family history or life events that may cause separation anxiety.

Treatment for separation anxiety disorder differs based on the child's age, and the severity of the symptoms. Children express their anxiety through worrying about their attachment figures. For instance, they may worry that their parents could be involved in a car accident or be attacked by a burglar. However older children who suffer from separation anxiety typically deny that they have any anxiety about leaving the house.

Children with separation anxiety are often treated using behavioral therapy. https://zenwriting.net/musicgun28/are-you-getting-the-most-from-your-anxiety-disorder-help involves teaching children relaxation techniques and assisting them in learning to recognize and manage their anxieties. In some instances it is necessary to combine therapies, such as cognitive therapy, is employed.

Adults must be consistent in their responses to children experiencing separation anxiety. Children must be taught that their parents' pleas not to leave them are not valid. They will only improve if they receive clear, firm boundaries, and support in conquering their fears.