Watch Out: How Anxiety Disorder Separation Is Taking Over And What To Do About It

Children and Teens With Separation Anxiety Disorder

Separation anxiety disorder is a problem that affects children and adolescents who fret overly when they are away from their caregivers, parents, or other important people. They might also be worried about a possible negative outcome of separation, like getting lost or being injured.

Psychotherapy and medication are a great option to treat children with separation anxiety disorders. Therapy focuses on teaching children to deal with fearful situations slowly with encouragement and support.

Symptoms

Separation anxiety disorder is more intense than normal anxiety when it comes to being separated from family members and primary caregivers. People suffering from this disorder are worried that their loved ones will be the victim of a tragic incident when they are separated. This could include getting lost or falling ill. They might also be scared of other scenarios that could separate them from their loved ones, including being abducted or having an accident with a car.

The first signs of this anxiety disorder typically begins in the earliest years of life, however adults can be affected at any time. Adult separation anxiety isn't thought to be caused by anything specific however it could be caused by life changes or depression. It can also be caused by PTSD. People with this disorder may feel too dependent on their children or their romantic partners and exhibit poor boundaries. Others may view them as being overly clingy or demanding.

This condition is marked by a high level of distress when one is cut off from family, significant distress while away from home or at work, and recurrent dreams involving separation. These symptoms can cause people to avoid traveling or engaging in other activities that involve a physical separation from family members, for example, going back to school. Children with this condition may have trouble sleeping or suffer from a range of physical issues like headaches or stomach pains when they are worried about being left alone.

To diagnose this disorder, a healthcare provider will ask about your or your child's past and current symptoms. They will ask you about your family, and other relationships to determine how you've been able to manage separation anxiety before.

Talk therapy and, in a few instances, medication are utilized to treat this condition. Your therapist can teach you and your child methods to cope with their fears. They can assist you and your child to learn to manage separations in a step by step process. The medication can relax the mind and body, as well as help ease your child's fears.

Diagnosis

Separation anxiety disorder can cause individuals to feel intense anxiety when they are away from their home or other close family members. 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 up to four weeks in children. They cause major disruptions to daily life, school, and work. It can also affect a person's socialization and ability to form romantic relationships.

A mental health professional will interview and observe the patient's behavior in order to diagnose the disorder. The healthcare provider will want be aware of the time when symptoms began and what makes them worse or better. Based on the age of the patient an expert in mental health will also inquire about recent events that might be causing stress, as well as any previous trauma history.

The doctor will also attempt to determine whether the fear is due to another medical condition that could cause similar symptoms, like an illness, such as cancer or a neurological issue like cerebral palsy or multiple-sclerosis. Other causes include childhood family adversities such as parental mental illnesses and domestic violence, substance abuse and neglect and abuse of children.

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 anxiety disorders. A person who develops separation anxiety disorder in adulthood typically does so after experiencing trauma or a significant loss. Some studies indicate that people who suffer from separation disorders in their early years may be more likely to develop anxiety and depression disorders as adults.

Several treatment options are available for those suffering from separation anxiety disorder. There are a variety of treatment options available to those suffering from. Therapies such as cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), and medications, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors as well as antidepressants, can assist people to overcome their fear. People suffering from this disorder typically benefit from parental education and techniques to improve the quality of their relationship with their children.

Treatment

Separation anxiety disorder can be diagnosed when children's fear of strangers and clinginess continues throughout elementary school, and is associated with physical symptoms, and affects daily functioning. According to BetterHelp an online therapy service for children the disorder of separation anxiety affects up to 4%, with an average age of 7 years.

The healthcare provider for your child will perform a thorough exam to determine if there are any physical issues that may be causing their anxiety. If no physical issues are identified, your child's healthcare provider will refer them to a mental health professional who has expertise in anxiety disorders. For children, this will most likely be a psychiatrist or child psychologist.

Psychotherapy (also called talk therapy) is often the first treatment for separation anxiety disorder. The therapist will help your child discover healthy ways to manage their emotions, increase self-confidence and independence, as well as build resilience. The therapist will educate parents on how they can assist their child who is suffering from anxiety. Treatment, such as antidepressants such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are typically 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 example, children with extreme anxiety may benefit from a combination of cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) and exposure therapy. This means exposing your child to situations that cause anxiety gradually by introducing them in small increments until they feel comfortable with them.

As children age, their symptoms usually decrease. However, some adults could be suffering from separation anxiety disorder throughout their adult lives. This could make it difficult for them to keep relationships or pursue certain career goals, such as returning to school or relocating for work. Adults with separation anxiety disorder are more likely to suffer from co-occurring conditions like other types of anxiety disorders, depression and phobias, post-traumatic stress disorder, and a variety of addiction disorders.

The following is a list of preventatives.

Separation anxiety is common among many children. For some, separation anxiety can be a serious issue that interferes in their lives and prevents participation in the activities they enjoy. If your child's fears are disrupting their daily routine discuss it with a mental health professional.

disorders anxiety  suffering from separation anxiety disorder suffer extreme anxiety when they are separated from their parents or other major attachment figures. They are always worried about being kidnapped or lost, or that an accident might result in the loss of those closest to themselves. They may have trouble falling asleep at night or refuse to go to play dates, school or camp without their parents.

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

Treatment for separation anxiety is dependent on the child's age, and the severity of the symptoms. Children who are younger typically express their anxiety through specific worries about harm to their family members, such as the fear that their parents might be hurt in a car crash or be attacked by an intruder. Separation anxiety in older children is usually ignored by them.

Children who suffer from separation anxiety are often treated with behavioral therapy. It typically involves teaching children relaxation techniques and helping them learn to recognize and control their fears. In some instances the combination of therapies is used, including cognitive therapy and medication.

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 let them go are not valid. They can only grow if they receive clear, firm boundaries, and help in overcoming their fears.