Why We Do We Love Anxiety Disorder Separation (And You Should Also!)

Children and Teens With Separation Anxiety Disorder

Children and adolescents who suffer from separation anxiety disorder have a tendency to worry about being separated from their caregivers, parents or other significant people in their lives. They might also be worried about the possible negative effects of separation, like getting lost or being hurt.

Psychotherapy and medication can be used to treat children with separation anxiety disorder. The child is taught to tackle feared situations slowly, with reassurance.

Signs and symptoms

Separation anxiety disorder is more intense than normal anxiety when it comes to being separated from family members and primary caregivers. People with this condition are worried that something terrible could occur to their family member when they are separated, such as getting lost or becoming ill. They might also be afraid of other situations that could make them separated from their loved one, such as being kidnapped or having a an accident in a vehicle.

This anxiety disorder can affect people at any age. It isn't known what causes adult separation anxiety however, it could be triggered by major life changes or by previous mental health issues, like depression or PTSD. The sufferers of this disorder might feel overly dependent on children or romantic partners, and may lack boundaries. Others can view them as overly clingy and demanding.

Symptoms of this condition include a high level of distress when a person is cut off from their family, significant distress when they're away from their home or at work and frequent nightmares of separation. These symptoms can make people avoid traveling or other activities that entail the physical separation of their families, like going to school. Children who suffer from this condition may have difficulty sleeping or suffer from a range of physical problems, such as headaches or stomach pains when they are worried about being alone.

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 determine how you've dealt with separation anxiety before.

Treatment for this disorder can include therapy for talk and, in some instances medication. Your therapist will instruct you and your children how to cope with the fear. They can also assist you approach situations that are feared by guiding you through the steps that will help your child learn how to handle separations and increase their confidence. The medicines can help calm the mind and body, as well as ease your child's anxieties.

Diagnosis

A person suffering from separation anxiety will experience extreme stress when separated from family members or close friends. Unlike normal fear and worry that many people suffer from the symptoms of this disorder are persistent, often lasting longer than four weeks for children and up to six months in adults, and they can cause significant disruption to daily activities and performance at work and school. The condition can also cause problems with a person's ability to create romantic relationships and socialize.

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

The doctor will also determine if there is another medical condition that could cause similar symptoms. This could be an illness such as cancer or an underlying neurological disorder, such as multiple sclerosis or cerebral palsy. Other causes include childhood family problems like mental illness in the family or domestic violence, abuse of substances and neglect and abuse of children.

The diagnosis of separation anxiety disorder in adults is more difficult, since there aren't any lab tests for the condition, and it may share a number of symptoms with other phobias. Separation anxiety disorder is more frequent in adults who have experienced an emotional trauma or a major loss. Some studies indicate that people 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. Therapy like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and medication, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and antidepressants, can help people overcome their fears. People suffering from this disorder typically benefit from education for parents and methods to improve the quality of their relationship with their children.

Treatment

Many children go through a stage where they are terrified of strangers and clingy If this fear persists through the elementary years and beyond and is manifested as physical symptoms and affects daily functioning, it may be a sign of separation anxiety disorder. In fact, according to the BetterHelp online therapy service, separation anxiety disorder is the most prevalent anxiety disorder that is diagnosed in children that affects up to 4% of them, with an onset age of 7 years old.

Your child's healthcare professional will perform a thorough exam to rule out any physical problems that could be causing anxiety. If no physical issues are discovered then the healthcare provider for your child will refer them to an expert in  anxiety disorders . For children, this will most likely be a psychiatrist or child psychologist.

Psychotherapy (also called talk therapy) is typically the first treatment for separation anxiety disorder. The therapist will help your child learn how to manage their emotions to increase self-confidence, confidence and independence, and build resilience. The therapist will also instruct parents on how to help their child and aid them deal with their anxiety. The use of medication, like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are often prescribed in addition to psychotherapy for separation anxiety disorder.

The therapist will decide the best treatment plan for your child based on their specific needs. Children who suffer from severe anxiety, like might benefit from a combination cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) as well as exposure therapy. This means exposing your child to situations that trigger their anxiety gradually over time, in small steps, until they feel comfortable with them.

As children age their symptoms typically decrease. There are some adults who have symptoms of separation anxiety throughout their adult lives. It can be difficult to maintain relationships or pursue certain career goals, such as returning to college or moving to work. Adults who suffer from separation disorder are more likely to suffer from co-occurring disorders such as depression, phobias and post-traumatic disorder.

Prevention

For many kids with separation anxiety, it's an inevitable part of the development process. For some, separation anxiety can be a major issue that affects their lives and prevents participation in activities they enjoy. Speak to a mental healthcare specialist if your child's fear is affecting their daily routine.

Separation anxiety disorder is a condition where children experience extreme anxiety when they are separated from their parents or other attachment figures. They are constantly worried about being snatched away or lost or that an accident could cause them to lose those closest to themselves. They might be having a difficult time falling asleep alone at night or refusing to go to camps, school or play dates without their parents.

Doctors are not able to diagnose separation anxiety until the signs of a child last at minimum four weeks. The healthcare provider can interview both the child and parents separately to obtain the complete picture. They might ask questions about  anxiety disorders  or changes in life such as family history or life events that may cause separation anxiety.

Treatment for separation anxiety is determined according to the age of the child and the severity of the symptoms. Children younger than 5 years old usually 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 crash or be attacked by burglars. However older children with separation anxiety typically deny that they are worried about leaving home.

Children with separation anxiety are often treated with behavioral therapy. It usually involves teaching children relaxation techniques and helping them learn to recognize and manage their anxieties. In some cases, a mixture of therapies, such as cognitive therapy, is used.

It's crucial for adults to be consistent in their responses to children's separation anxiety. Children need to understand that their pleas to parents not to leave them not valid. They will only improve by receiving clear, unambiguous boundaries and assistance in overcoming their fears.