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Children and Teens With Separation Anxiety Disorder Children and adolescents who suffer from separation anxiety disorder worry excessively about being apart from their parents, caregivers or other important people in their lives. They might also worry about the negative consequences of separation, like getting lost or injured. Psychotherapy and medication can be used to treat children suffering from separation anxiety disorder. Therapy focuses on teaching children to approach feared situations gradually by providing reassurance and encouragement. generalized anxiety disorder and symptoms Separation anxiety disorder is more severe than normal anxiety in relation to being separated from family and primary caregivers. People who suffer from this condition are afraid that something bad will occur to their family member while they are separated, such as being lost or getting sick. They may also be fearful of other scenarios that could cause separation from their loved ones, for example, being kidnapped or getting into a an accident with a car. The onset of this anxiety disorder typically occurs in the early years of childhood, but adults can develop it at any time. It's unclear what causes adult separation anxiety, but it can be triggered by major life changes or by previous mental health issues, such as depression or PTSD. People suffering from this disorder may be overly dependent on their children or romantic partners, and lack boundaries. Some may see them as being too clingy or demanding. The signs of this disorder include extreme stress when a person is separated from their family members, severe distress when they're away from their home or at work and frequent nightmares about separation. These symptoms can make people avoid travel or other activities that involve a physical separation from family members, for example, returning to school. Children suffering from this condition could have physical issues, such as headaches or stomach pains when they are worried about being alone. A healthcare provider will ask you about your past and current symptoms or those of your child to determine the cause of separation anxiety. They will ask you about your family, and other relationships, to determine how you've dealt with separation anxiety before. Talk panic anxiety disorder and, in a few instances, medication are utilized to treat this condition. Your therapist will teach you and your child ways to manage their fears. They can help you and your child understand how to handle separations through a step by step process. The medicines can help calm the mind, relax the body and reduce your child's anxiety. Diagnosis A person suffering from separation anxiety disorder is likely to experience extreme anxiety when they are away from their the home or close family members. In contrast to the normal anxiety and fear that most people feel, the symptoms of this disorder are long-lasting, usually lasting longer than four weeks in children, and up to six months or longer in adults, and they can cause significant disruption to daily life and function at work and school. The condition can also hinder with a person's ability to create romantic relationships and socialize. To diagnose this disorder A mental health professional will interview the patient and observe their behavior. The doctor will want to know when the symptoms started and what makes them worse or better. A mental health professional will ask about recent events and history of trauma in relation to the age of the patient. The doctor will also try to determine whether the phobia is the result of a different medical condition that can cause similar symptoms, such as an illness such as cancer or a neurological condition such as cerebral palsy or multiple-sclerosis. Other causes are family traumas like parental mental illnesses and domestic violence, abuse of substances and child abuse and neglect. Diagnosis of separation anxiety disorder in adults is more difficult because there aren't any laboratory tests for the condition and it can share many symptoms with other anxiety disorders. Anyone who develops separation anxiety disorder in their adulthood typically experiences it after a traumatic event or significant loss. Some studies indicate that people who suffer from separation disorders in childhood are more likely to develop anxiety and depression disorders later on in their lives. Separation anxiety disorder can be treated in a variety of ways. Treatment such as cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), and medications, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and antidepressants, can assist people to overcome their fear. Parents with this disorder can benefit from methods and education to strengthen their relationship with their child. Treatment Although many children go through a stage where they are anxious and clingy to strangers If this fear persists throughout the elementary years and beyond, is associated with physical symptoms, and causes problems with daily activities it could be an indication of separation anxiety disorder. In fact, according to the BetterHelp online therapy service, separation anxiety disorder is the most common anxiety disorder diagnosed in kids with up to 4% of them, with an age at onset of around 7 years. Your child's doctor will conduct a thorough examination to rule out physical issues that could cause anxiety. If no physical problems are identified the healthcare provider of your child will refer them to a mental health professional with experience in treating anxiety disorders. For children, this will most likely be a child psychologist or psychiatrist. Psychotherapy (also known as talk therapy) is often the first option for treating separation anxiety disorder. The therapy therapist will assist your child to teach them healthy ways to manage their feelings, increasing confidence and independence, as well as building their resilience. The therapist will also educate parents on how they can help their child and aid them cope with their anxiety. Treatment, such as antidepressants like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are often prescribed in addition to psychotherapy for separation anxiety disorder. The therapist will determine the best treatment plan for your child based on their individual needs. Children with severe anxiety, for example, may benefit from a combination cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) as well as exposure therapy. This involves gradually exposing your child to the situations that cause anxiety over time in small steps until they are comfortable. Most often, children suffering from separation anxiety disorder will improve as they get older, and their symptoms will decrease. However, some adults could continue to have symptoms of separation anxiety disorder throughout their adult lives. It can be difficult to maintain relationships or pursue certain career goals such as returning to school or moving to work. Adults who suffer from separation anxiety have a high percentage of co-occurring conditions like other types of anxiety disorders such as depression, phobias and post-traumatic stress disorder, and a variety of substance use disorders. Prevention For many children who are anxious about separation, it is an inevitable part of the development process. But for others it can be an issue that causes problems with their lives and blocks them from participating in activities they enjoy. Talk to a mental health specialist if your child's fear affects their daily routine. Separation anxiety disorder is a condition where children experience severe distress when separated from parents or other figures of attachment. They are always worried about being abducted, lost, or experiencing an accident that could result in the loss of loved ones to them. They might also have trouble sleeping on their own at night, or they might refuse to go to camp, school or play dates with their parents. Doctors are not able to diagnose separation anxiety until the symptoms of a child last at minimum four weeks. The healthcare professional may interview both the child and the parents individually to get the full picture. They may also ask questions regarding other anxiety disorders or changes in the life like family history and life events that could have triggered the separation anxiety. Treatment for separation anxiety is dependent on the child's age and the severity of symptoms. Children express their anxiety by worrying about their attachment figures. For instance, they may worry that their parents are involved in a car accident or attacked by burglars. Separation anxiety in older children is usually dismissed by them. Children who have anxiety about separation are usually treated with behavioral therapy. It involves teaching relaxation techniques to children and helping them identify and manage their anxiety. In some instances it is necessary to combine therapies, such as cognitive therapy, is employed. It's crucial for adults to be consistent in their responses to children's separation anxiety. Children need to be aware that their parents' pleas not to leave them not valid. They will only improve if they receive clear, unambiguous boundaries and help in overcoming their fears.