Anxiety Disorder Separation Explained In Fewer Than 140 Characters
Children and Teens With Separation Anxiety Disorder
Children and adolescents who suffer from separation anxiety disorder have a tendency to worry about being away from their parents, caregivers or other significant people in their lives. They might also worry about a possible negative outcome of separation, like getting lost or being injured.
Children with separation anxiety disorders can get treatment through psychotherapy and medication. Therapy focuses on teaching children to manage fearful situations gradually by providing reassurance and encouragement.
Symptoms
Separation anxiety disorder is more intense than normal anxiety in the event of being separated from family members and primary caregivers. People suffering from this disorder are worried that their family member could be the victim of a tragic incident when they are separated. This could include getting lost or getting sick. They might also be afraid of other situations that could keep them from their loved ones, such as being abducted or getting into a car accident.
This anxiety disorder can be experienced by adults at any age. It isn't known what causes separation anxiety in adults, but it can be triggered by major life changes or by previous mental health issues, such as depression or PTSD. People with this condition can feel overly dependent on their spouses or children and have trouble establishing boundaries. Some may see them as being too clingy or demanding.
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 recurrent dreams of separation. These symptoms can cause people to avoid traveling or other activities that involve a physical separation from family members, like returning to school. Children with this condition may have trouble sleeping or suffer from a range of physical problems, such as stomach pains or headaches, in the event of anxiety about being alone.
A healthcare professional will ask you about your past and current 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 find out how you have overcome separation anxiety in the past.
Talk therapy and, in a few instances, medication are utilized to treat this condition. Your therapist will instruct you and your children how to deal with the fears. They can help you and your child learn how to deal with separations in a step by step process. The medication can relax the brain and body, as well as reduce your child's anxiety.
Diagnosis
Separation anxiety disorder can cause a person to feel extreme stress when they are away from their home or relatives. The symptoms of separation anxiety are more persistent than normal anxiety and anxiety and. They can last for up to six months in adults and four weeks in children. They cause major disruptions to daily life at school, work, and home. The condition can also cause problems with the ability of a person to establish romantic relationships and socialize.
A mental health professional will interview and observe the patient's behavior in order to diagnose this disorder. The healthcare provider will want know when the symptoms started and what makes them worse or better. A mental health professional will ask about recent events and trauma history dependent on the age of the patient.
The doctor will also try to determine if the phobia is due to another medical condition that may cause similar symptoms, like an illness, like cancer or a neurological condition like multiple sclerosis or cerebral palsy. Other causes include family adversities such as mental illness of the parents and substance abuse, domestic violence and child neglect and abuse.
It is difficult to diagnose separation anxiety disorder in adults, as there are no lab tests and the symptoms could be similar to those of other fears. A person who develops a separation anxiety disorder in adulthood usually does so after experiencing trauma or a significant loss. Some studies suggest that people who suffer from separation disorders in childhood are more likely to develop anxiety and depression disorders later in life.
Separation anxiety disorder can be treated in various ways. People suffering from separation anxiety disorder can overcome their phobia through therapy, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or medication like selective serotonin receptor antagonists and antidepressants. Parents suffering from this disorder can benefit from strategies and education to strengthen their relationship with their child.
Treatment
Separation anxiety disorder can be diagnosed when children's fear of strangers and clinginess persists throughout elementary school, is associated with physical symptoms and impedes daily functioning. According to BetterHelp an online therapy service for children, separation anxiety disorder affects up to 4% and has an average age of 7 years.
Your child's healthcare provider will conduct a thorough examination to rule out any physical problems that may be causing their anxiety. If no physical ailments are found then the healthcare provider for your child will refer them to an anxiety disorder specialist. This will likely be a child psychiatrist or psychologist.
Psychotherapy, also referred to as talk therapy, is typically the first option of treatment for separation anxiety disorder. The therapist will help your child learn how to manage their feelings and increase self-confidence and independence, as well as build resilience. The therapist will educate parents on how they can aid their child suffering from anxiety. Separation anxiety disorder is often treated with medication, such as antidepressants, such as selective serotoninin receptor inhibitors (SSRIs).
Depending on your child's specific requirements, their therapist will determine which treatment options are best for them. For instance, children suffering 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 trigger anxiety over time in small steps until they feel comfortable.
Often, children with separation anxiety disorder improve as they age and their symptoms diminish. There are some adults who suffer from symptoms of separation disorder in their adult life. This can make it difficult to maintain relationships or pursue certain career goals, like returning to college or moving for work. Adults with separation disorder are more likely to suffer from co-occurring disorders such as depression, phobias, and post-traumatic disorder.
The following is a list with preventions.
For many children, separation anxiety is a normal part of development. For some, separation anxiety can be a serious issue that can affect their lives and prevents them from participating in the activities they enjoy. If your child's anxiety is disrupting their routine consult a mental health professional.
Children suffering from separation anxiety experience extreme distress when separated from their parents or other important relationships. They are constantly worried about being kidnapped, or lost, or that an accident might cause them to lose those closest to them. They might have difficulty falling asleep at night or refusing to go to school, play dates, or camp 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 individually to gather the complete picture. They might also inquire about other anxiety disorders, family history, and changes in life that may have caused or made the separation anxiety more severe.
Treatment for separation anxiety is determined according to the age of the child and the severity of the symptoms. Children express their anxiety through worrying about their attachment figures. For example they might worry that their parents could be involved in a car accident or harmed by a burglar. Separation anxiety in older children is frequently dismissed by them.
Behavioral therapy is a popular treatment for children suffering from separation anxiety. It involves teaching relaxation techniques to children, and helping them identify and manage their anxiety. In some cases, a combination of treatments is employed, such as cognitive therapy and medication.
Adults should be consistent in their responses to children who are experiencing anxiety about separation. Children need to be aware that their parents' pleas not to leave them are not valid. They will only improve when they are given clear, firm boundaries, and assistance in overcoming their fears.