Why We Enjoy Anxiety Disorder Separation (And You Should Also!)

Children and Teens With Separation Anxiety Disorder Children and adolescents suffering from separation anxiety disorder worry excessively about being away from their caregivers, parents or other important people in their lives. They might also worry about a possible negative outcome of separation, like getting lost or hurt. Psychotherapy and medications can be used to treat children with separation anxiety disorder. Therapy focuses on teaching children to manage fearful situations gradually by providing reassurance and encouragement. Symptoms While some anxiety over being separated from loved ones is normal separation anxiety disorder causes people much more intensely anxious than others when it comes to the separation 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 that they get lost or becoming sick. They may also fear other situations that could keep them from their loved ones, like being kidnapped or being involved in an accident. The onset of this disorder typically begins in the earliest years of life, however adults can develop it at any age. Adult separation anxiety is not believed to be caused by a specific cause however it could be triggered by life changes such as depression, depression, or PTSD. People with this condition can feel overly dependent on their spouses or children and exhibit poor boundaries. Others may view them as being overly clingy or demanding. This condition is marked by a high level of anxiety when a person is separated from their family, significant stress when away from home or at work, and frequent dreams of separation. These symptoms can lead people to avoid travel or other activities that require the physical separation of their families, for example, going to school. Children with this condition may have trouble sleeping or experience a variety of physical issues like headaches or stomach pains when they worry about being alone. A healthcare professional will inquire with you about your previous and current symptoms, or those of your child to determine the cause of separation anxiety. They will also inquire about your family, and other relationships to determine how you've dealt with separation anxiety before. Talk therapy and, in some instances, medication are utilized to treat this disorder. Your therapist will show you and your children how to deal with the anxiety. They can also help you to approach feared situations in a step-by-step process that helps your child learn how to handle separations and build their confidence. Medications can help to calm the mind and relax the body which can ease your child's anxiety. Diagnosis A person suffering from separation anxiety will experience extreme stress when separated from the home or close family members. Unlike normal fear and worry that many people experience these symptoms disorder are persistent, often lasting for more than four weeks for children, and up to up to six months in adults. They create major disruptions to daily life and function at school and work. It can also affect the person's social life and ability to form romantic relationships. To diagnose this disorder A mental health professional will interview the patient and observe the patient's behavior. The provider will want to know when the symptoms started and what triggers them to be worse or better. A mental health professional will ask about recent events and the history of trauma, depending on the age of the patient. The doctor will also determine if there is another medical condition that could cause similar symptoms. It could be due to an illness like cancer or a neurological disorder such as multiple sclerosis or cerebral palsy. Other causes include childhood family problems like parental mental illnesses or substance abuse, domestic violence and child abuse and neglect. It is difficult to diagnose separation anxiety disorder among adults, since there are no lab tests and the symptoms can be similar to those of other phobias. Someone who develops separation anxiety disorder in adulthood typically is a victim of a traumatic event or 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 as they age. Separation anxiety disorder can be treated in a variety of ways. Therapy like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) as well as medications, like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and antidepressants, can help overcome their fear. People suffering from this disorder typically benefit from education for parents and techniques to improve their relationship with their children. Treatment Although many children experience a period when they become terrified of strangers and clingy When this fear persists into elementary school and beyond and is associated with physical symptoms, and interferes with daily functioning it could be an indication of separation anxiety disorder. In fact, according to the BetterHelp online therapy service, separation anxiety disorder is the most frequent anxiety disorder that is diagnosed in children, affecting up to 4 percent of them, with a onset age of 7 years old. The doctor who treats your child will conduct an extensive exam to rule out physical ailments that could cause anxiety. If no physical problems are discovered, your child's healthcare provider will refer them to a mental health professional who has experience in anxiety disorders. For children who are ill, this could be a psychiatrist or child psychologist. disorders anxiety , also known as talk therapy, is usually the first treatment option for separation anxiety disorder. The Therapist will work with your child to help them learn healthy ways of managing their feelings, increasing self-confidence and independence, and building their resilience. The therapist will also educate parents on how to help their child and aid them with their anxiety. Separation anxiety disorder is typically treated with medication, including antidepressants such as selective serotoninin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). The therapist will decide which treatment option is best for your child based on their specific needs. For instance, children suffering from severe anxiety might benefit from a combination of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and exposure therapy. This is the process of gradually expose your child to situations that cause anxiety in small steps until they are comfortable. Typically, children suffering from separation anxiety disorder will improve as they grow older, and their symptoms will diminish. However, some adults could still suffer from symptoms of separation anxiety disorder throughout their adult lives. This could make it difficult for them to maintain relationships or pursue certain career goals, such as returning to school or moving for work. Adults with separation anxiety disorder are more likely to suffer from co-occurring disorders, including other anxiety disorders depression, phobias, post-traumatic stress disorder, and a variety of addiction disorders. Prevention For many children, separation anxiety is an expected part of developing. For some, separation anxiety can be a major issue that can affect their lives and hinders their participation in the activities they enjoy. If your child's worries are disrupting their daily routine discuss it with an expert in mental health. Separation anxiety disorder is a condition in which children suffer from extreme distress when they are away from their parents or other figures of attachment. They are constantly worried about being kidnapped or lost, or that an accident will cause them to lose those closest to them. They may struggle to fall to sleep at night, or refusing to go to play dates, school or camp without parents. The signs of separation anxiety in children must last for at least 4 weeks before a doctor will diagnose the condition. The healthcare provider may interview both the child as well as the parents in a separate session to obtain the complete picture. They might ask questions about other anxiety disorders or changes in life like family history or life events that could have triggered the separation anxiety. Treatment for separation anxiety is determined according to the child's age and the severity of the symptoms. Children express their anxiety by worrying about their attachment figures. For instance, they may worry that their parents could be in a car crash or harmed by a burglar. By contrast older children who suffer from separation anxiety usually deny that they are anxious about leaving home. Children who have anxiety about separation are often treated with behavioral therapy. It usually involves teaching children relaxation techniques and assisting them in learning to recognize and manage their anxieties. In some instances, a combination of treatments is employed, including cognitive therapy and medication. Adults should be consistent in their responses to children who are experiencing anxiety over separation. Children need to be aware that their parents' pleas not to leave them are not valid. They can only grow when they are given clear, unambiguous boundaries and assistance in overcoming their fears.