20 Resources That Will Make You More Efficient With Anxiety Disorder Separation
Children and Teens With Separation Anxiety Disorder
Children and adolescents suffering from separation anxiety disorder worry excessively about being apart from their parents, caregivers or other significant people in their lives. They might also worry about the negative consequences of separation, for example, getting lost or injured.
Children with separation anxiety disorder can be treated with therapy and medication. The child is taught to approach feared situations slowly, with assurance.
Symptoms
Separation anxiety disorder is more severe than normal anxiety in the event of being separated from family and primary caregivers. People who suffer from this condition are worried that something bad will occur to their family member if they are separated, like losing their way or falling ill. They may also fear other situations that could keep them from their loved ones like being kidnapped or being involved in an accident.
The onset of this anxiety disorder typically occurs in the early years of childhood, but adults can be affected at any age. It's not known what causes separation anxiety in adults however, it could be triggered by major life changes or by previous mental health disorders, like depression or PTSD. The sufferers of this disorder might feel overly dependent on children or romantic partners, and may lack boundaries. Others may perceive them as being overly demanding or clingy.
This condition is characterized by excessive distress when one is cut off from family, significant distress while away from home or at work, and recurrent dreams of separation. These symptoms can lead people to avoid traveling or other activities that entail physical separation from their families, such as going to school. Children who suffer from this condition may have trouble sleeping or experience a variety of physical ailments, such as headaches or stomach pains when they worry about being on their own.
A healthcare provider will ask you about your current and past symptoms, or the symptoms 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've faced separation anxiety in the past.
Talk generalized anxiety disorder and, in certain instances, medication are utilized to treat this condition. Your therapist can teach you and your child ways to cope with their fears. They can help you and your child to learn how to deal with separations through a step by step process. The medication can relax the brain, relax the body and ease your child's anxieties.
Diagnosis
A person suffering from separation anxiety is likely to experience extreme anxiety when they are away from their home or close attachment figures. The symptoms of separation anxiety disorder are more persistent than normal anxiety and fear. They can last for up to six months in adults and up to four weeks in children. They cause major disruptions to daily life as well as school and work. It can also affect the social life of a person and their ability to form romantic relationships.
To determine the cause of this disorder A mental health professional will talk to the patient and observe their behavior. The provider will want to be aware of the time when symptoms began and what makes them worse or better. Depending on the person's age the mental health professional will also inquire about recent events that could have caused stress, as well as any past trauma.
The doctor will also try to determine whether the fear is due to another medical condition that could cause similar symptoms, like an illness such as cancer or a neurological issue such as cerebral palsy or multiple sclerosis. Other causes include family traumas like mental illness of the parents, domestic violence, substance abuse and neglect and abuse of children.
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 phobias. Someone who suffers from separation anxiety disorder in adulthood typically is a victim of a traumatic event or significant loss. Some studies suggest that people who were diagnosed with separation anxiety disorder as children are more likely to suffer from depression and anxiety disorders later in life.
Separation anxiety disorder can be treated in a variety of ways. People suffering from separation anxiety disorder can overcome their phobia through therapy, including cognitive behavioral treatment (CBT), or medications like selective serotonin antagonists and antidepressants. Parents who suffer from this disorder can benefit from methods and education to improve their relationship with their child.
Treatment
While many children experience a period that makes them anxious and clingy to strangers If this fear persists into the elementary years and beyond, is manifested as physical symptoms and causes problems with daily activities it could be an indication of separation anxiety disorder. According to BetterHelp, an online therapy service for children, separation anxiety disorder affects up to 4% with a median age of 7 years.
The doctor who treats your child will conduct an exhaustive exam to rule out physical issues that could be causing anxiety. If no physical ailments are found, the healthcare provider for your child will refer them to an anxiety disorder specialist. This will likely be a psychologist or child psychiatrist.
Psychotherapy, also referred to as talk therapy, is usually the first course of treatment for separation anxiety disorder. The therapist will assist your child to help them develop healthy ways to manage their feelings, increasing self-confidence and independence, and building resilience. The therapist will instruct parents on ways they can aid their child suffering from anxiety. Separation anxiety disorder is often treated with medication, including antidepressants, such as selective serotoninin receptor inhibitors (SSRIs).
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 is the process of gradually expose your child to situations that cause anxiety over time in small steps until they become comfortable.
As children age their symptoms typically decrease. Some adults may still suffer from symptoms of separation disorder throughout their adult lives. This can make it difficult for them to keep relationships or pursue certain career goals, like returning to school or moving for work. Adults who suffer from separation anxiety are more likely to suffer from co-occurring disorders, including other anxiety disorders such as depression and phobias, post-traumatic stress disorder, and a variety of addiction disorders.
The following is a list of preventatives.
For many children with separation anxiety, it's a normal part of development. For some, separation anxiety can be a serious issue that interferes in their lives and prevents them from participating in the activities they enjoy. Speak to a mental healthcare professional if your child's fear affects their daily routine.
Children with separation anxiety disorder experience extreme distress when separated from their parents or other significant relationships. They are always worried about being snatched away, missing, or having an accident that will lead to the loss of loved ones to them. They might also have trouble sleeping at night on their own, or they might refuse to go to school, camp, or play dates without their parents.
The signs of separation anxiety in children must last at least four weeks before a physician can determine the cause. Most often, the healthcare professional will interview the child and parents separately to obtain an entire picture of the situation. They might ask questions regarding other anxiety disorders or changes in life such as family history and life events that may have triggered the separation anxiety.
Treatment for separation anxiety differs based on the age of the child, and the severity of symptoms. Children express anxiety by worrying about their attachment figures. For example they might worry that their parents might be involved in a car accident or attacked by burglars. In contrast, older children with separation anxiety often deny they are anxious about leaving the house.
Children who have anxiety about separation are often treated with behavioral therapy. It usually involves teaching children relaxation techniques and teaching them to recognize and manage their fears. In some cases, a combination of treatments is employed, including cognitive therapy and medication.
Adults must be consistent in their responses to children experiencing separation anxiety. Children must be taught that their pleas to parents not to let them go are not valid. They will only improve by receiving clear, definite boundaries and support in conquering their fears.