10 Meetups On Anxiety Disorder Separation You Should Attend

Children and Teens With Separation Anxiety Disorder

Children and adolescents with separation anxiety disorder have a tendency to worry about being apart from their parents, caregivers or other important people in their lives. They may also worry that separation could result in negative consequences, such as getting hurt or lost.

Psychotherapy and medications can be used to treat children suffering from separation anxiety disorders. The child is taught to handle the fearful situations slowly, and with reassurance.

Symptoms

While some anxiety over being separated from loved ones is normal separation anxiety disorder can cause people more anxious than others when it comes to the separation from family members and primary caregiving figures. People with this condition are worried that something terrible could happen to their family member while they are separated, such as being lost or getting sick. They might also be afraid of other situations that can separate them from their loved ones, for example, being kidnapped or being involved in a car accident.

This anxiety disorder can affect people at any age. Adult separation anxiety is not believed to be caused by any specific factor however it can be triggered by life changes such as depression, depression, or PTSD. People suffering from this disorder may be overly dependent on their children or their romantic partners, and have poor boundaries. Others may perceive them as being overly clingy or demanding.

This condition is characterized by excessive anxiety when a person is separated from their family, significant stress when away from home or at work, and frequent dreams involving separation. These symptoms can lead people to avoid travel or other activities that involve the physical separation of their families, like going to school. Children suffering from this condition could suffer physical issues such as headaches or stomach pains when they are worried about being alone.

To diagnose this disorder medical professionals will inquire about your or your child's past and present symptoms. They will also ask you about your family and other relationships to determine how you've dealt with separation anxiety in the past.

Talk therapy and, in a few instances, medications are used to treat this condition. Your therapist can show you and your child ways to manage their fears. They can also help you deal with situations that scare you in a step-by-step process that will help your child learn how to handle separations and build up their confidence. The medications can calm the brain and relax the body to ease your child's anxieties.

Diagnosis

A person suffering from separation anxiety disorder will experience extreme stress when they are away from their home or close attachment figures. In contrast to the normal anxiety and fear that people generally feel the symptoms of this disorder are persistent, often lasting more than four weeks in children, and up to six months or longer for adults. They create major disruptions to the daily routine and functioning at work and school. The condition can also hinder with a person's ability to create romantic relationships and socialize.

A mental health professional will interview and observe the patient's behavior to determine the cause of the disorder. The doctor will want to be aware of the time when symptoms began and what makes them worse or better. Depending on the person's age an expert in mental health will also inquire about any recent events that might have caused stress and any previous trauma history.

The provider will also try to determine whether the fear is the result of a different medical condition that could cause similar symptoms, such as an illness, such as cancer or a neurological condition like multiple sclerosis or cerebral palsy. Other causes include childhood family traumas like mental illness in the family, substance abuse, domestic violence and neglect and abuse of children.

It can be difficult to diagnose separation anxiety disorder in adults, as there aren't any lab tests and the symptoms could be similar to those of other phobias. Someone who develops separation anxiety disorder in adulthood usually experiences it after trauma or a significant loss. Certain studies suggest that those who suffer from separation disorders in their early years may be more likely to develop depression and anxiety disorders later in life.

Several treatment options are available to those suffering from separation anxiety disorder. Treatment, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) as well as medication, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and antidepressants, can assist people to overcome their fears. Parents suffering from this disorder can benefit from techniques and education to improve their relationship with their child.

Treatment

Separation anxiety disorder may be diagnosed when a child's fear of strangers and clinginess continues throughout elementary school, and is accompanied with physical symptoms, and affects everyday functioning. According to the BetterHelp online therapy service, separation anxiety disorder is the most common anxiety disorder diagnosed in kids with up to 4 percent of them with an age at onset of about 7 years.

Your child's healthcare professional will perform a thorough exam to determine if there are any physical issues that may be causing their anxiety. If no physical issues are discovered the healthcare professional for your child will refer them to an expert in anxiety disorders. It could be a psychologist or child psychiatrist.

Psychotherapy (also called talk therapy) is usually the first treatment for separation anxiety disorder. The therapist will assist your child to help them develop healthy ways of managing their emotions, building confidence in themselves and their independence, and building resilience. The therapist will educate parents on ways they can aid their child suffering from anxiety. Separation anxiety disorder is often treated by medication, for example antidepressants, such as selective serotoninin receptor inhibitors (SSRIs).

Depending on your child's specific needs, the therapist will determine which treatment options are best for the child. For instance, children suffering from severe anxiety may benefit from a combination of cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) and exposure therapy. This means gradually expose your child to situations that trigger anxiety in small steps until they are comfortable.

As children age their symptoms typically decrease. However, some adults might be suffering from separation anxiety throughout their adult lives. This makes it difficult to maintain relationships or pursue certain career goals, like returning to school or relocating to work. Adults with separation anxiety disorder have a high percentage of co-occurring conditions like other  anxiety disorders , depression, phobias, post-traumatic stress disorder, and a variety of addiction disorders.

Prevention

Separation anxiety is common in many children. For others, separation anxiety can be a major issue that affects their lives and prevents them from participating in the activities they enjoy. If your child's anxiety is disrupting their daily routine, talk to a mental health professional.

Separation anxiety disorder is a disorder in which children experience severe distress when they are away from their parents or other attachment figures. They are always worried about being snatched away, missing or experiencing an accident that could lead to the loss of those closest to them. They might also have a hard time sleeping at night on their own, or they might refuse to go to camp, school or play dates with their parents.

The symptoms of separation anxiety in children should last for at least four weeks before a doctor will determine the cause. Often, the healthcare provider will interview the child and their parents in a separate interview to get an entire picture of the situation. They may also ask questions regarding other anxiety disorders or changes in the life such as family history or life events that may have triggered the separation anxiety.

Treatment for separation anxiety differs based on the age of the child and the severity of symptoms. Younger children typically express their anxiety through specific concerns about harm to their family members for example, the fear that their parents could be injured in a car accident or be attacked by a burglar. In contrast, older children with separation anxiety typically deny that they are anxious about leaving the house.

Children with separation anxiety are often treated with behavioral therapy. It involves teaching relaxation techniques to children and helping them understand and manage their anxiety. In some cases there is a mix of therapies, including cognitive therapy, is utilized.

It's important for adults to be consistent in their responses to children's anxiety about separation. Children need to be aware that their pleas to parents not to leave them not valid. They can only grow if they receive clear, firm boundaries, and support in conquering their fears.