Why We Why We Anxiety Disorder Separation (And You Should Also!)
Children and Teens With Separation Anxiety Disorder Children and adolescents who suffer from separation anxiety disorder are anxious about being apart from their caregivers, parents or other important people in their lives. They might also be concerned that separation could have negative consequences, like being lost or hurt. Psychotherapy and medication are a great option to treat children suffering from separation anxiety disorder. Therapy focuses on teaching children to approach feared situations gradually with encouragement and support. Signs and symptoms While some anxiety over being separated from loved ones is normal, separation anxiety disorder makes people much more intensely anxious than others when it comes to the separation from family members and primary caregiver figures. People suffering from this disorder fear that their family member could be the victim of a tragic incident when they are separated. This could include getting lost or falling ill. They may also fear other situations that could keep them from their loved ones for example, being kidnapped or being involved in a car accident. This anxiety disorder can affect adults at any age. It's unclear what causes separation anxiety in adults however, it could be caused by major life changes or prior mental health issues such as depression or PTSD. The sufferers of this disorder might feel overly dependent on children or romantic partners, and may lack boundaries. Others may see them as overly demanding and clingy. This condition is characterized by extreme anxiety when a person is separated from their family, a significant amount of distress when away from home or at work, and frequent thoughts of separation. These symptoms can lead people to avoid traveling or other activities that entail a physical separation from their families, such as going to school. Children with this condition may have difficulty sleeping or suffer from a range of physical issues including stomach pains or headaches, when they are worried about being alone. A healthcare professional will inquire with you about your previous and current symptoms, or those of your child in order to diagnose separation anxiety. They will ask you about your family and other relationships to determine how you've faced separation anxiety in the past. Treatment for this disorder can include therapy for talk and, in certain cases medication. Your therapist will show you and your children how to deal with the fears. They can help you and your child to learn to manage separations through a step by steps. The medications can calm the brain and body, as well as reduce your child's anxiety. Diagnosis A person suffering from separation anxiety disorder will feel extreme distress when apart from the home or close family members. The symptoms of separation anxiety are more persistent than normal anxiety and fear. They can last up to six months in adults and up to four weeks in children. They can cause major disruptions to daily life as well as school and work. It can also impact the person's social life and ability to establish romantic relationships. A mental health professional will interview and observe the patient's behavior in order to diagnose this disorder. The healthcare provider will want determine when the symptoms began and what makes them worse or better. Based on the age of the patient the mental health professional might also inquire about any recent events that could have caused stress and any history of trauma. The provider will also try to determine whether the phobia is due to another medical condition that could cause similar symptoms, like an illness, such as cancer or a neurological disorder, such as cerebral palsy or multiple-sclerosis. Other possible causes include childhood family adversities, such as parental mental illness, substance abuse child abuse, domestic violence and neglect, as well as experiences with trauma, such as natural disasters, sexual assault, war, or the death of loved ones. anxiety disorders types can be difficult to diagnose separation anxiety disorder among adults, since there are no tests for it and the symptoms could be similar to other phobias. Separation anxiety disorder is more common among adults who have suffered an emotional trauma or a major loss. Some studies suggest that people who have been diagnosed with separation anxiety disorder as children are more likely to suffer from anxiety and depression later in life. Separation anxiety disorder can be treated in various ways. Therapy like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and medications, such as selective serotonin receptor inhibitors and antidepressants, can help overcome their fears. People with this disorder often benefit from education for parents and methods to improve their relationship with their children. Treatment Separation anxiety disorder may be diagnosed when a child's fear of strangers and clinginess is persistent throughout elementary school, is associated with physical symptoms and interferes in everyday functioning. In fact, according to the BetterHelp online therapy service, separation anxiety disorder is the most prevalent anxiety disorder that is diagnosed in children, affecting up to 4% of them, with a onset age of around 7 years. Your child's healthcare provider will perform a thorough exam to determine if there are any physical issues that could be causing anxiety. If no physical issues are found the doctor who treats your child will refer them to an expert in mental health who has experience in anxiety disorders. This will likely be a psychologist or child psychiatrist. Psychotherapy (also called talk therapy) is often the first option for treating separation anxiety disorder. The therapy therapist will assist your child to teach them healthy ways of managing their emotions, boosting self-confidence and independence, and developing resilience. The therapist will also educate parents on how they can aid their child suffering from anxiety. The use of medication, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are often used in conjunction with psychotherapy for separation anxiety disorder. The therapist will determine the best treatment plan for your child based on their specific needs. For example, children with extreme anxiety may benefit from a combination of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and exposure therapy. This involves gradually exposing your child to the situations that cause anxiety in small steps until they are comfortable. Typically, children suffering from separation anxiety disorder improve as they get older and their symptoms diminish. However, some adults could still suffer from symptoms of separation anxiety disorder throughout their adult lives. It can be difficult for them maintain relationships or to pursue certain career goals like returning to school or moving to work. Adults suffering from separation anxiety disorder have a high percentage of co-occurring conditions, such as other types of anxiety disorders such as depression and phobias, post-traumatic stress disorder, and a range of substance use disorders. Prevention Separation anxiety is common in many children. For others, anxiety over separation is a serious problem that affects their lives and hinders their participation in activities they enjoy. If your child's anxiety is disrupting their daily routine, talk to an expert in mental health. Separation anxiety disorder is a disorder in which children experience extreme distress when they are away from their parents or other figures of attachment. They are always worried about being kidnapped, or lost, or that an accident might result in the loss of those closest to themselves. They might have difficulty falling asleep at night or refuse to go to school, play dates or camp without parents. The signs of separation anxiety in children must last at least four weeks before a doctor will diagnose the problem. The healthcare professional may interview both the child as well as the parents individually to get the full picture. They might also inquire about anxiety disorders that are not related to separation anxiety, family history, and changes in life that may have caused or made the separation anxiety worse. Treatment for anxiety disorder separation varies by the age of the child and the severity of the symptoms. Children who are younger usually express their anxiety by expressing specific fears about harm to their family members, such as the fear that their parents might be hurt in a car accident or be attacked by burglars. However, older children with separation anxiety usually deny that they have any anxiety about leaving their home. Children who suffer from separation anxiety 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, a mixture of treatments, such as cognitive therapy, is used. It is crucial for adults to be consistent in their responses to children's separation anxiety. Children must be taught that their pleas for parents not to leave aren't valid, and they'll only improve if provided with clear, definite boundaries and a lot of support while they work to overcome their fears.