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Children and Teens With Separation Anxiety Disorder

Separation anxiety disorder affects adolescents and children who worry excessively when they are separated from their parents, caregivers, or other important people. They might also be concerned that being separated could have negative consequences, like getting hurt or lost.

Children with separation anxiety disorders can get treatment through therapy and medication. The child is taught to handle difficult situations slowly, with confidence.

Signs and symptoms

Separation anxiety disorder is more severe than normal anxiety when it comes to being separated from family members and primary caregivers. People with this condition are afraid that something tragic will occur to their family member while they are separated, such as losing their way or falling ill. They might also be worried about other situations that can separate them from their loved ones like being kidnapped or being involved in a car accident.

The first signs of this anxiety disorder usually occurs in the earliest years of life, however adults can be affected at any age. Adult separation anxiety isn't thought to be caused by any specific factor however it can be triggered by life changes such as depression, depression, or PTSD. People suffering from this disorder may feel a lot dependent on children or their romantic partners, and may lack boundaries. Some may see them as too demanding or clingy.

This condition is characterized by extreme distress when one is cut off from their family, significant stress when away from home or at work, and frequent thoughts of separation. These symptoms can lead people to avoid traveling or other activities that involve physical separation from their families, for example, going to school. Children with this condition may have trouble sleeping or suffer from a range of physical issues, such as headaches or stomachaches, when they worry about being alone.

A healthcare professional will inquire with you about your past and current symptoms, or those of your child to determine if you suffer from separation anxiety. They will inquire about your family and other relationships, to determine how you've dealt with separation anxiety before.

Treatment for this disorder consists of talking therapy and, in some cases medication. Your therapist will teach you and your children how to cope with the fear. They can also guide you to approach feared situations by guiding you through the steps that can help your child understand how to deal with separations and build up their confidence. The medication can relax the mind and relax the body to reduce your child's anxiety.

Diagnosis

A person suffering from separation anxiety will experience extreme stress when apart from home or close attachment figures. The symptoms of separation anxiety are more persistent than normal anxiety and fear. They can last up to six months for adults and for up to four weeks in children. They cause major disruptions in daily life as well as school and work. The condition can also hinder with the ability of a person to create romantic relationships and socialize.

To diagnose this disorder, a mental health professional will talk to the patient and observe the patient's behavior. The healthcare provider will ask when symptoms first started and what causes the symptoms to become worse or better. Based on the age of the patient an expert in mental health may also ask about any recent events that may be causing stress, as well as any previous trauma history.

The doctor will also determine whether there is another medical condition that may cause similar symptoms. This could be due to an illness like cancer, or a neurological disorder such as multiple sclerosis or cerebral palsy. Other possible causes include family-related adversities that affect children such as mental illness, substance misuse domestic violence, child abuse and neglect, and exposure to traumatizing events, such as natural catastrophes, sexual assault, war, or the loss of a loved one.

Diagnosis of separation anxiety disorder in adults is more difficult because there aren't any laboratory tests for the condition and it can share many symptoms with other phobias. A person who develops separation anxiety disorder in adulthood typically experiences it after trauma or a significant loss. There are studies that suggest that those who have been diagnosed with separation anxiety disorder as children are more likely to be suffering from anxiety and depression in adulthood.

Separation anxiety disorder can be treated in a variety of ways. Therapy such as cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), and medication, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors as well as antidepressants, can help people overcome their fears. Parents who suffer from this disorder can benefit from techniques and training to strengthen their relationship with their child.

Treatment

Separation anxiety disorder can be diagnosed when children's fear of strangers and clinginess continues throughout elementary school, and is manifested by physical symptoms, and affects daily functioning. According to BetterHelp, an online therapy service for children, separation anxiety disorder affects up to 4% and has a median age of 7 years.

Your child's doctor will conduct a thorough examination to rule out physical problems that could be causing anxiety. If no physical problems are identified, your child's healthcare provider will refer them to a mental health professional who has experience in treating anxiety disorders . This will likely be a psychologist or child psychiatrist.





Psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy, is often the first treatment option for separation anxiety disorder. The therapist will assist your child to help them develop healthy ways of managing their emotions, boosting confidence in themselves and their independence, and developing resilience. The therapist will instruct parents on how they can aid their child suffering from anxiety. The use of medication, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are typically prescribed along with psychotherapy for separation anxiety disorder.

The therapist will determine the best treatment plan for your child based on their individual needs. Children with severe anxiety, like might benefit from a combination of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and exposure therapy. This means gradually exposing your child to the situations that trigger anxiety over time in small steps until they become comfortable.

Most often, children suffering from separation anxiety disorder improve as they get older and their symptoms diminish. Some adults may still have symptoms of separation anxiety in their adulthood. This can make it difficult to maintain relationships or to pursue certain career goals, like returning to school or relocating for work. Adults with separation disorder are more likely to suffer from co-occurring disorders like depression, phobias, and post-traumatic disorder.

Prevention

Separation anxiety is a common occurrence in many children. But for others, it can become an issue that causes problems with their lives and stops them from engaging in activities they enjoy. Speak to a mental healthcare specialist if your child's fear affects their daily routine.

Children suffering from separation anxiety suffer extreme stress when they are separated from their parents or other major relationships. They are constantly concerned about being snatched away or lost or that an accident will cause them to lose those closest to them. They may struggle to fall to sleep at night, or refusing to go to play dates, school or camp without parents.

Doctors do not diagnose separation anxiety until the signs of a child last at least four weeks. Most often, the healthcare professional will interview the child and their parents separately to obtain an accurate picture of the situation. They might also inquire about any other anxiety disorders or family history, as well as life events that could have triggered or made the separation anxiety worse.

Treatment for anxiety disorder separation differs depending on the child's age and the severity of the symptoms. Children younger than 5 years old tend to express their anxiety by expressing specific fears about harm to their loved ones like a fear that their parents might be hurt in a car accident or be attacked by burglars. Separation anxiety in older children is frequently ignored by them.

Behavioral therapy is a typical treatment for children with separation anxiety. It involves teaching relaxation techniques to children, and helping them identify and manage their anxiety. In some instances, a combination of treatments is employed, such as medication and cognitive therapy.

Adults should be consistent with their responses to children who are experiencing anxiety over separation. Children need to be taught that their pleas to parents to not leave aren't valid, and they'll only get better if they're given clear, precise boundaries and a lot of support while they work to overcome their fears.