A Journey Back In Time: How People Talked About Anxiety Disorder Separation 20 Years Ago

Children and Teens With Separation Anxiety Disorder

Children and adolescents with separation anxiety disorder are anxious about being away from their caregivers, parents or other important people in their lives. They may also worry that being separated could have negative consequences, for example, being hurt or lost.

Psychotherapy and medications can be used to treat children with separation anxiety disorder. The child is taught to approach feared situations slowly, with confidence.

Symptoms

Although some anxiety about being away from loved ones is normal separation anxiety disorder can cause people more anxious than other people when it comes to being separated from family members and primary caregiving figures. People with this condition are afraid that something tragic will happen to their family member while they are separated, like being lost or getting sick. They might also be scared of other situations that could make them separated from their loved ones for example, being kidnapped or getting into a an accident with a car.

The onset of this disorder usually occurs in childhood, though adults can be affected at any age. It's unclear what causes adult separation anxiety, but it can be triggered by significant life changes or previous mental health disorders, like depression or PTSD. People who suffer from this condition can feel overly dependent on their children or their romantic partners and exhibit poor boundaries. Some may see them as too clingy or demanding.

The symptoms of this condition include extreme stress when someone is separated from their family members, severe anxiety when they are away from work or home and frequent nightmares of separation. These symptoms can lead people to avoid travel or other activities that require a physical separation from their families, for example, going to school. Children who suffer from this condition may have trouble sleeping or experience a variety of physical issues like headaches or stomachaches, in the event of anxiety about being alone.

To determine the severity of this disorder, the healthcare professional will inquire about your or your child's past and present symptoms. They will inquire about your family and other relationships, to determine how you've dealt with separation anxiety before.

Treatment for this disorder consists of talk therapy and, in some instances medication. Your therapist will instruct you and your children how to cope with the fears. They can also guide you deal with situations that scare you through a step-by-step method that can help your child understand how to cope with separations and build their confidence. The medicines can help calm the brain and relax the body to ease your child's anxieties.

Diagnosis

Separation anxiety disorder can cause a person to feel extreme stress when they are away from their home or close relatives. The symptoms of separation anxiety disorder are more persistent than normal anxiety and anxiety and. They can last for up to six months for adults and for up to four weeks in children. They can cause major disruptions to daily life at school, work, and home. It can also impact a person's socialization and ability to develop romantic relationships.

A mental health professional will interview and observe the patient's behavior to diagnose this disorder. The healthcare provider will want know when the symptoms started and what makes them more or less severe. A mental health professional will ask about recent events and the history of trauma in relation to the age of the person.

The doctor will also decide whether there is a medical condition that can cause similar symptoms. It could be a condition such as cancer or an underlying neurological disorder, such as multiple sclerosis or cerebral palsy. Other possible causes are familial adversities in childhood such as mental illness, substance misuse, domestic violence, child abuse and neglect, and experiences with trauma like natural disasters, war, sexual assault or the loss of a loved one.

It is difficult to diagnose separation anxiety disorder among adults, since there aren't any lab tests and the symptoms could be similar to other anxiety disorders. A person who develops separation anxiety disorder in adulthood typically experiences it after trauma or a significant loss. Some studies suggest that people who have been diagnosed with separation anxiety disorder in childhood are more likely to suffer from depression and anxiety disorders later in life.

Separation anxiety disorder can be treated in many ways. People suffering from separation anxiety disorder can overcome their phobia through therapy, like a cognitive behavioral treatment (CBT) or medication like selective serotonin receptor antagonists and antidepressants. Parents who suffer from this disorder can benefit from methods and education to strengthen their relationship with their child.

Treatment

Separation anxiety disorder may be diagnosed when the child's fear of being around strangers and clinginess is persistent throughout the elementary school years, and is accompanied with physical symptoms and interferes in everyday 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 exam to rule out any physical problems that may be causing their anxiety. If no physical problems are discovered, your child's healthcare provider will refer them to a mental health professional with expertise in  anxiety disorders . For children who are ill, this could be a psychiatrist or child psychologist.

Psychotherapy, also referred to as talk therapy, is typically the first option of treatment for separation anxiety disorder. The Therapist will work with your child to help them learn healthy ways of managing their emotions, building self-confidence and independence, and developing resilience. The therapist will also instruct parents on how they can support their child and help them deal with their anxiety. Separation anxiety disorder is usually treated with medication, such as antidepressants like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).

The therapist will decide the best treatment plan for your child based upon their particular needs. For example, children with severe anxiety may 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 in small steps until they feel comfortable with them.

Most often, children suffering from separation anxiety disorder will improve as they grow older, and their symptoms will decrease. However, some adults could be suffering from separation anxiety throughout their adult lives. This can make it difficult for them to keep relationships or pursue certain career goals, like going back to college or relocating for work. Adults with separation disorder are more likely to have co-occurring disorders, such as depression, phobias, or post-traumatic disorder.

The following is a list of preventatives.

Separation anxiety is common in many children. For others it can turn into a serious problem that interferes with their lives and stops them from participating in activities they enjoy. Consult a mental health specialist if your child's fear affects their daily routine.

Separation anxiety disorder is a disorder in which children suffer from extreme anxiety when they are separated from their parents or other family members. They are always worried about being kidnapped, or lost or that an accident will cause them to lose those closest to themselves. They may be having a difficult time sleeping at night on their own or they may refuse to go to school, camp or play dates with their parents.

Doctors do not diagnose separation anxiety until the symptoms of a child last at least four weeks. Often, the healthcare provider will interview the child and parents separately to get a full picture of the situation. 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 separation anxiety more severe.

Treatment for anxiety disorder separation varies by the child's age and the severity of the symptoms. Children express their anxiety by worrying about their attachment figures. For example they might worry that their parents could be in a car crash or harmed by a burglar. However older children with separation anxiety often deny they are anxious about leaving home.

Behavioral therapy is a popular treatment for children suffering from separation anxiety. It typically involves teaching children relaxation techniques and assisting them in learning to recognize and control their fears. In some cases, a combination of treatments is employed, such as cognitive therapy and medication.

Adults should be consistent with their responses to children who are experiencing anxiety about separation. Children must be taught that their parents' pleas not to leave them are not valid. They will only be able to improve by receiving clear, unambiguous boundaries and assistance in conquering their fears.