Children and Teens With Separation Anxiety Disorder
(Image: https://www.iampsychiatry.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/general-medical-council-logo.png)Children and adolescents who suffer from separation anxiety disorder have a tendency to worry 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 getting hurt or lost.
Children with separation anxiety disorders are treated through psychotherapy and medication. The child is taught to tackle difficult situations slowly, with reassurance.
Symptoms
While some anxiety over being away from loved ones is normal separation anxiety disorder can cause people much more intensely anxious than others when it comes to being separated from family members and primary caregiver figures. People suffering from this disorder are worried that their loved ones will be the victim of a tragic event if they are separated. This could mean getting lost or becoming sick. They may also be fearful of other scenarios that could separate them from their loved one, for example, being kidnapped or getting into a a car accident.
The onset of this anxiety disorder usually occurs in the earliest years of life, however adults can be affected at any time. It's unclear what causes separation anxiety in adults however, it could be triggered by major life changes or by previous mental health disorders, like depression or PTSD. People with this condition can feel overly dependent on their children or romantic partners and exhibit poor boundaries. Others may see them as excessively demanding and clingy.
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 frequent dreams involving separation. These symptoms can cause people avoid traveling or engaging in other activities that involve a physical separation from family members, such as going back to school. Children with this condition may have trouble sleeping or suffer from a range of physical problems, such as headaches or stomachaches, in the event of anxiety about being on their own.
A healthcare professional will ask you about your current and past symptoms, or the symptoms of your child to diagnose separation anxiety. They will also inquire about your family and other relationships to determine how you've dealt with separation anxiety in the past.
Treatment for this disorder consists of talk therapy and, in certain cases medication. Your therapist will show you and your children how to cope with the anxiety. They can assist you and your child understand how to handle separations in a step-by- procedure. The use of medication can help calm the mind and relax the body which can help ease your child's anxiety.
Diagnosis
Separation anxiety disorders definition psychology disorder can cause individuals to feel intense stress when they are away from their home or close attachment figures. The symptoms of separation anxiety are more persistent than normal anxiety and anxiety and. They can last up to six months for adults and for up to four weeks in children. They cause major disruptions in daily life, school, and work. The condition can also interfere with a person's ability to form romantic relationships and socialize.
To determine the cause of this disorder A mental health professional will interview the patient and observe their behavior. The provider will want to determine when the symptoms began and what triggers them to be worse or better. A mental health professional will ask about recent events and trauma history, depending on the age of the person.
The doctor will also try to determine if the phobia is due to another medical condition that can cause similar symptoms, like an illness, such as cancer or a neurological disorder such as multiple sclerosis or cerebral palsy. Other causes are family adversities such as mental illness of the parents or domestic violence, abuse of substances and child abuse and neglect.
It can be difficult to diagnose separation anxiety disorder among adults because there are no tests for it and the symptoms may be similar to those of other phobias. A person who suffers from separation anxiety disorder in adulthood typically does so after experiencing an event that was traumatic or a major loss. Certain studies suggest that those diagnosed with separation disorder in childhood are more likely to develop anxiety and depression disorders later in life.
There are a variety of treatment options available for people with separation anxiety disorder. Therapy such as cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), and medications, such as selective serotonin receptor inhibitors and antidepressants, can assist people to overcome the phobia. Parents who suffer from this disorder can benefit from techniques and education to improve their relationship with their child.
Treatment
Separation anxiety disorder may be diagnosed when children's fear of strangers and clinginess continues throughout elementary school, and is accompanied with physical symptoms, and affects everyday functioning. In fact, according to the BetterHelp online therapy service, separation anxiety disorder is the most frequent anxiety disorder diagnosed in kids that affects up to 4% of them, with a onset age of about 7 years.
Your child's healthcare professional will conduct a thorough exam to rule out any physical problems that could be causing anxiety. If no physical problems are discovered, your child's healthcare provider will refer them to a mental health professional with experience in anxiety disorders. This could be a child psychiatrist or psychologist.
Psychotherapy, also referred to as talk therapy, is often the first course of treatment for separation anxiety disorder. The therapist will assist your child to help them learn healthy ways to manage their feelings, increasing self-confidence and independence, and building their resilience. The therapist will educate parents on ways to assist their child who is suffering from anxiety. Separation anxiety disorder is often treated with medication, such as antidepressants such as selective serotoninin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).
The therapist will determine which treatment option is best medication for anxiety disorder for your child based on their specific needs. Children who suffer from severe anxiety, like might benefit from a combination of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and exposure therapy. This is when your child is exposed to situations that cause anxiety gradually over time by introducing them in small increments until they are comfortable with them.
Often, children with separation anxiety disorder improve as they grow older and their symptoms decrease. There are some adults who experience symptoms of separation disorder in their adulthood. This makes it difficult for them to keep relationships or to pursue certain career goals, like returning to school or relocating for work. Adults who suffer from separation anxiety are more likely to suffer from co-occurring disorders, including other types of anxiety disorders depression, phobias, post-traumatic stress disorder, and a variety of substance use disorders.
The following is a list of preventatives.
Separation anxiety is common in many children. But for others it can turn into an issue that is serious and can interfere with their lives and stops them from participating in activities they like. Talk to a mental health professional if your child's anxiety is affecting their daily life.
Children suffering from separation anxiety disorder experience extreme distress when separated from their parents or other significant attachment figures. They are always worried about being snatched away, missing, or having an accident that will cause the loss of loved ones to them. They might have difficulty falling asleep at night or refuse to go to play dates, school, or camp without their parents.
A child's separation anxiety disorders dsm 5 symptoms should last for at least four weeks before a doctor can diagnose the problem. The healthcare provider may interview both the child as well as the parents individually to obtain the complete picture. They may ask questions about other anxiety disorders or changes in the life such as family history and life events that could trigger the separation anxiety.
Treatment for anxiety disorder separation differs by the child's age and the severity of the symptoms. Children express their anxiety by worrying about their attachment figures. For instance they might worry that their parents are involved in a car accident or harmed by a burglar. Separation anxiety in older children is usually dismissed by them.
Children who suffer from separation anxiety are often treated using behavioral therapy. It involves teaching relaxation techniques to children and helping them recognize and control their anxiety. In some cases the combination of treatments is employed, such as medication and cognitive therapy.
It's important for adults to be consistent in their responses to children's anxiety about separation. Children need to be taught that their pleas to parents not to leave are not valid, and they'll only get better if they're given clear, precise boundaries and support as they work to overcome their fears.