Check Out: How Anxiety Disorder Separation Is Taking Over And How To Stop It
Children and Teens With Separation Anxiety Disorder Children and adolescents with separation anxiety disorder are anxious about being away from their parents, caregivers or other important people in their lives. disorders anxiety might also be worried about the negative consequences of separation, such as getting lost or being injured. Psychotherapy and medications can be used to treat children with separation anxiety disorder. Therapy includes teaching the child to deal with fearful situations slowly by providing reassurance and encouragement. Signs and symptoms Separation anxiety disorder is more severe than normal anxiety in relation to being separated from family members and primary caregivers. People with this condition fear that their loved ones will suffer a tragic event when they are separated. This could mean that they get lost or getting sick. They might also be worried about other situations that could keep them from their loved ones like being kidnapped or being involved in an accident. The onset of this disorder usually occurs in the early years of childhood, but adults can be affected at any age. It isn't known what causes separation anxiety in adults however, it could be caused by significant life changes or previous mental health issues, like depression or PTSD. The sufferers of this disorder might feel a lot dependent on children or their romantic partners, and lack boundaries. Others may perceive them as being overly clingy or demanding. The signs of this disorder include excessive distress when a person is cut off from their family, significant distress when they're away from work or home and frequent nightmares of separation. These symptoms can cause people to avoid travel or other activities that require physical separation from family members, such as going back to school. Children who suffer from this condition might experience physical problems like stomach pains if they worry about being left alone. To diagnose this disorder, medical professionals will inquire about your your child's past and current symptoms. They will also inquire about your family and other relationships to find out how you have overcome separation anxiety in the past. Treatment for this disorder consists of talk therapy and, in certain cases medication. Your therapist can teach you and your child ways to manage their fears. They can assist you and your child to learn to manage separations in a step by steps. The medications can calm the mind, relax the body and help ease your child's fears. Diagnosis A person suffering from separation anxiety will feel extreme distress when separated from home or close attachment figures. In contrast to the normal anxiety and fear that most people experience the symptoms of this disorder are persistent, often lasting for more than four weeks in children, and up to up to six months for adults. They create major disruptions to daily life and function at school and work. It can also affect the person's social life and ability to form romantic relationships. A mental health professional will interview and examine the patient's behavior to determine the cause of the disorder. The doctor will want to be aware of the time when symptoms began and what causes them to become more or less severe. A mental health professional will ask about recent events and trauma history in relation to the age of the person. The doctor will also try to determine whether the fear is a result of another medical condition that can cause similar symptoms, such as an illness such as cancer or a neurological issue such as multiple sclerosis or cerebral palsy. Other possible causes are family-related adversities that affect children such as mental illness, substance abuse, domestic violence, child abuse and neglect, and experiences with trauma, such as natural catastrophes or sexual assault, war or the death of a loved one. It is a challenge to identify separation anxiety disorder among adults because there are no lab tests and the symptoms could be similar to those of other fears. Anyone who develops separation anxiety disorder in adulthood typically experiences it after a traumatic event or significant loss. Some studies suggest that people who were diagnosed with separation anxiety disorder in childhood are more likely to suffer from depression and anxiety disorders as they age. Separation anxiety disorder can be treated in many ways. Therapy such as cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) and medications, such as selective serotonin receptor inhibitors and antidepressants, can assist people to overcome the phobia. People suffering from this disorder typically benefit from parent education and techniques to improve the quality of their relationship with their children. Treatment While many children go through a stage when they become terrified of strangers and clingy If this fear persists through elementary school and beyond and is accompanied by physical symptoms, and affects daily functioning it could be an indication of separation anxiety disorder. According to BetterHelp an online therapy service for children that treat separation anxiety disorder, it is a problem that affects as many as 4% of children, with an average age of 7 years. Your child's healthcare professional will perform a thorough exam to rule out any physical problems that may be causing their anxiety. If no physical ailments are found, the healthcare provider for your child will refer them to an expert in anxiety disorder s. It could be a psychologist or child psychiatrist. Psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy, is often the first treatment option for separation anxiety disorder. The therapy therapist will work with your child to teach them healthy ways to manage their emotions, boosting confidence and independence, as well as developing resilience. The therapist will also educate parents on ways to aid their child suffering from anxiety. The use of medication, like selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), is often prescribed along with psychotherapy for separation anxiety disorder. The therapist will decide the best treatment plan for your child based on their individual needs. For instance, children suffering from severe anxiety may benefit from a combination of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and exposure therapy. This means exposing your child to situations that trigger their anxiety gradually in small steps until they feel comfortable with them. As children get older their symptoms typically decrease. However, some adults may suffer from symptoms of separation disorder in their adult life. It can be difficult to maintain relationships or to pursue certain career goals such as returning to college or going to work. Adults suffering from separation disorder are more likely to develop co-occurring disorders like depression, phobias and post-traumatic disorder. Prevention For many kids with separation anxiety, it's a normal part of development. For others, it can become a serious problem that interferes with their lives and stops them from participating in activities they like. If your child's worries are disrupting their daily routine consult a mental health professional. Children suffering from separation anxiety disorder suffer extreme anxiety when they are separated from their parents or other significant relationships. They are constantly concerned about being kidnapped, or lost or that an accident will cause them to lose those closest to them. They might have difficulty falling to sleep at night, or refusing to go to school, play dates, or camp without their parents. Doctors will not diagnose separation anxiety until the symptoms of a child last at least four weeks. Most often, the healthcare professional will interview the child and parents in a separate interview to get an entire picture of the situation. They might also inquire about anxiety disorders that are not related to separation anxiety or family history as well as life events that could have caused or made separation anxiety worse. Treatment for separation anxiety is determined depending on the child's age and the severity of the symptoms. Younger children typically express their anxiety through specific concerns about harm to their attachment figures, such as a fear that their parents will get in a car crash or be attacked by a burglar. By contrast older children with separation anxiety usually deny that they have any anxiety about leaving home. Children with separation anxiety are often treated with behavioral therapy. It usually involves teaching children relaxation techniques and teaching them to recognize and manage their anxieties. In some instances it is necessary to combine therapies, including cognitive therapy, is used. Adults should be consistent in their responses to children who are experiencing anxiety over separation. Children need to understand that their parents' pleas not to leave them not valid. They can only grow when they are given clear, definite boundaries and support in conquering their fears.