15 Terms That Everyone Who Works In Anxiety Disorder Separation Industry Should Know

Children and Teens With Separation Anxiety Disorder

Children and adolescents suffering from separation anxiety disorder worry excessively about being away from their parents, caregivers or other important people in their lives. They might also worry about the negative consequences of separation, for example, getting lost or injured.

Psychotherapy and medication can be used to treat children with separation anxiety disorder. Therapy focuses on teaching children to deal with fearful situations slowly, with reassurance and support.

Symptoms

While some anxiety about being apart from loved ones is normal separation anxiety disorder can cause people much more intensely anxious than other people when it comes to the separation from family members and primary caregiving figures. People who suffer from this condition are afraid that something terrible could occur to their family member when they are separated, like losing their way or falling ill. They might also be worried about other situations that could keep them from their loved ones, like being kidnapped or getting into a car accident.

This anxiety disorder can be experienced by adults at any age. Adult separation anxiety isn't believed to be caused by anything specific however it could be caused by life changes or depression. It can also be caused by PTSD. People who suffer from this condition can feel overly 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 their family, significant stress while away from home or at work, and recurrent thoughts of separation. These symptoms can make people avoid travel or other activities that require physical separation from family members, like returning to school. Children who suffer from this condition may have trouble sleeping or suffer from a range of physical problems like headaches or stomach pains in the event of anxiety about being on their own.

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

Treatment for this disorder can include talk therapy and, in certain cases, medication. Your therapist can show you and your child ways to cope with their fears. They can assist you and your child to understand how to handle separations through a step by procedure. The medication can relax the brain, relax the body and help ease your child's fears.

Diagnosis

Separation anxiety disorder can cause individuals to feel intense stress when they are away from their home or other close attachment figures. Unlike normal fear and worry that people generally experience, the symptoms of this disorder are persistent, often lasting more than four weeks in children and up to six months for adults. They can cause significant disruption to daily life and function at work and school. The condition can also interfere with the ability of a person to establish romantic relationships and socialize.

To diagnose  disorders anxiety , a mental health professional will interview the patient and observe the patient's behavior. The doctor will inquire about when symptoms started and what causes them to get worse or improve. A mental health professional will inquire about recent events and trauma history dependent on the age of the person.

The doctor will also try to determine if the phobia is the result of a different medical condition that could cause similar symptoms, for example an illness such as cancer or a neurological condition, such as multiple sclerosis or cerebral palsy. Other causes include childhood family problems like parental mental illnesses, domestic violence, substance abuse and child neglect and abuse.

The diagnosis of separation anxiety disorder in adults is more difficult, since there aren't any lab tests for the condition and it may have a variety of symptoms with other fears. Separation anxiety disorder is more common for adults who have had trauma or a significant loss. Some studies suggest that people who were diagnosed with separation anxiety disorder as children are more likely to be suffering from depression and anxiety disorders in adulthood.

There are a variety of treatment options available to those suffering from separation anxiety disorder. Treatment like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and medications, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors as well as antidepressants, can help overcome the phobia. People with this disorder often benefit from education for parents and methods to improve their relationship with their children.

Treatment

Many children go through a stage that makes them terrified of strangers and clingy When this fear persists throughout the elementary years and beyond and is associated with physical symptoms, and causes problems with daily activities it could be an indication of separation anxiety disorder. According to BetterHelp, an online therapy service for children, separation anxiety disorder can affect up to 4% of children with an average age of 7 years.

The doctor who treats your child will conduct an exhaustive exam to rule out physical issues that could cause anxiety. If  disorders anxiety  are found then the healthcare provider for your child will refer them to an expert in anxiety disorders. For children it will likely be a psychiatrist or child psychologist.

Psychotherapy (also known as talk therapy) is often the first treatment for separation anxiety disorder. The therapy therapist will assist your child to learn how to manage their feelings, increase self-confidence and independence, as well as build resilience. The therapist will educate parents on ways they can aid their child suffering from anxiety. Separation anxiety disorder is usually treated by medication, for example antidepressants such as selective serotoninin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).

The therapist will decide the best treatment option for your child based on their individual needs. For instance, children who suffer from severe anxiety might benefit from a combination of cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) and exposure therapy. This involves gradually exposing your child to the situations that cause anxiety over time in a series of small steps until they become comfortable.

Typically, children suffering from separation anxiety disorder improve as they age and their symptoms decrease. However, some adults may still suffer from symptoms of separation anxiety throughout their adult lives. It can be challenging to maintain relationships or pursue certain career goals, such as returning to college or moving to work. Adults with separation anxiety disorder are more likely to suffer from co-occurring disorders, including other anxiety disorders, depression, phobias and post-traumatic stress disorder, and a range of substance use disorders.

Prevention

For many kids, separation anxiety is a normal part of development. For others, it can become a serious problem that interferes with their lives and stops them from taking part in activities they like. Talk to a mental health specialist if your child's fear affects their daily routine.

Children suffering from separation anxiety suffer extreme anxiety when they are separated from their parents or other major family members. They are constantly worried about being kidnapped or lost, or that an accident will cause them to lose those closest to them. They might also have a hard time sleeping at night on their own or refusing to go to school, camp, or play dates without their parents.

The signs of separation anxiety in children should last for at least four weeks before a doctor will diagnose the condition. The healthcare professional may interview both the child as well as the parents individually to get the full picture. They may inquire about anxiety disorders that are not related to separation anxiety or family history, as well as life changes that might have caused or made the separation anxiety more severe.

Treatment for separation anxiety is determined by the age of the child and the severity of the symptoms. Children who are younger typically express their anxiety through specific concerns about harm to their loved ones like the fear that their parents will get in a car accident or be attacked by an intruder. By contrast, older children with separation anxiety often deny they are worried about leaving home.

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 manage their fears. In some cases the combination of therapies is used, including cognitive therapy and medication.

It's important for adults to be consistent in their responses to children's anxiety about separation. Children must be taught that their pleas to parents not to leave them are not valid. They will only improve when they are given clear, definite boundaries and support in overcoming their fears.