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Children and Teens With Separation Anxiety Disorder

Children and adolescents who suffer from separation anxiety disorder are anxious about being separated from their caregivers, parents or other significant people in their lives. They might also be worried about a possible negative outcome of separation, for example, getting lost or hurt.

Children with separation anxiety disorders can be treated with therapy and medication. Therapy involves teaching the child to manage fearful situations gradually, with reassurance and support.

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Signs and symptoms

While some anxiety over being away from loved ones is normal, separation anxiety disorder makes people much more intensely anxious than other people when it comes to separating from family members and primary caregiver figures. People suffering from this condition are worried that something terrible could happen to their family member while they are separated, like getting lost or becoming ill. They might also be afraid of other circumstances that could separate them from their loved ones, including being abducted or having an accident in a vehicle.

The first signs of this anxiety disorder usually occurs in the earliest years of life, however adults can develop it at any time. It's not known what causes adult separation anxiety, but it can be triggered by major life changes or by prior mental health issues such as depression or PTSD. People who suffer from this condition may be overly dependent on their spouses or children and exhibit poor boundaries. Others may perceive them as being too demanding or clingy.

The symptoms of this condition include excessive distress when someone is separated from their family, severe anxiety when they are away from their home or at work and frequent nightmares of separation. These symptoms can cause people avoid traveling or other activities that involve a physical separation from family members, like returning to school. Children suffering from this condition could experience physical problems like stomach pains when they worry about being left alone.

To diagnose this disorder the healthcare professional 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.

Talk therapy and, in certain instances, medication are utilized to treat this condition. Your therapist can show you and your child methods to manage their fears. They can assist you and your child learn how to deal with separations through a step by procedure. The medicines can help calm the mind and body, as well as ease your child's anxieties.

Diagnosis

A person suffering from separation anxiety disorder is likely to experience extreme anxiety when apart from family members or close friends. Contrary to the normal fears and anxieties that many people experience the symptoms of this disorder are persistent, often lasting more than four weeks in children and six months or longer for adults. They create major disruptions to daily life and function at school and work. The condition can also cause problems with the ability of a person to form romantic relationships and socialize.

To determine if this disorder is present A mental health professional will talk to the patient and observe their behavior. The healthcare provider will want be aware of the time when symptoms began and what makes them more or less severe. Based on the age of the patient an expert in mental health might also inquire about any recent events that could have caused stress and any previous trauma history.

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

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 for adults who have had a traumatic experience or significant loss. Certain studies suggest that those diagnosed with separation disorder in their early years may be more likely to develop anxiety and depression disorders later in life.

Separation anxiety disorder can be treated in a variety of ways. Treatment such as cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) and medications, such as selective serotonin receptor inhibitors and antidepressants, can assist people to overcome their fears. Parents with this disorder can benefit from methods and training to strengthen their relationship with their child.

Treatment

Separation anxiety disorder may be diagnosed when the child's fear of being around strangers and clinginess is persistent throughout elementary school, and is manifested by physical symptoms and interferes in daily functioning. According to BetterHelp, an online therapy service for children, separation anxiety disorder is a problem that affects as many as 4% of children with an average age of 7 years.

The doctor who treats your child will conduct a thorough examination to rule out physical ailments that could be causing anxiety. If no physical problems are discovered the healthcare professional for your child will refer them to an anxiety disorder specialist. This will likely be a psychologist or child psychiatrist.

Psychotherapy (also known as talk therapy) is usually the first treatment for separation anxiety disorder. The therapist will help your child discover healthy ways to manage their feelings and increase self-confidence and independence, and build resilience. The therapist will also educate parents on how they can help their child and aid them deal with their anxiety. Separation anxiety disorder is typically treated by medication, for example antidepressants such as selective serotoninin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).

Based on https://www.iampsychiatry.com/anxiety-disorders , the counselor will determine what treatment options are appropriate for their specific needs. For example, children with extreme anxiety may benefit from a combination of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and exposure therapy. This is the process of gradually expose your child to situations that trigger anxiety over time in a series of small steps until they are comfortable.

Typically, children suffering from separation anxiety disorder will improve as they get older, and their symptoms will diminish. Some adults may still suffer from symptoms of separation disorder in their adulthood. It can be challenging for them keep relationships going or to achieve certain career goals such as returning to college or going to work. Adults suffering from separation anxiety disorder have a high rate of co-occurring conditions like other types of anxiety disorders depression, phobias, post-traumatic stress disorder, and a variety of addiction disorders.

Prevention

Separation anxiety is a common occurrence in many children. For others it can turn into an issue that is serious and can interfere with their lives and prevents them from engaging in activities they enjoy. If your child's worries are disrupting their routine discuss it with a mental health professional.

Children suffering from separation anxiety suffer extreme stress when they are separated from their parents or other major family members. They are always worried about being abducted, lost or having an accident that will cause the loss of those closest to them. They may also have a hard time falling asleep alone at night or they may refuse to go to camps, school, or play dates without their parents.

Doctors do not diagnose separation anxiety until the signs of a child have lasted at minimum four weeks. Often, the healthcare provider will interview the child and parents in a separate interview to get an entire picture of the situation. They may ask about anxiety disorders that are not related to separation anxiety or family history, as well as life events that could have caused or made the separation anxiety more severe.

Treatment for anxiety disorder separation varies depending 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 are involved in a car accident or be attacked by burglars. Separation anxiety in older children is frequently denied by them.

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

It is crucial for adults to be consistent in their responses to children's anxiety about separation. Children must be taught that their requests for parents to not leave aren't valid, and they'll only improve if given clear, precise boundaries and support as they work to overcome their fears.