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Children and Teens With Separation Anxiety Disorder Separation anxiety disorder affects children and adolescents who worry excessively when they are separated from their caregivers, parents, or other important people. They may also worry about a possible negative outcome of separation, for example, being lost or getting injured. Psychotherapy and medications can be used to treat children suffering from separation anxiety disorders. Therapy involves teaching the child to deal with fearful situations slowly with encouragement and support. Symptoms While some anxiety about being separated from loved ones is normal, separation anxiety disorder makes people much more intensely anxious than others when it comes to being separated from family members and primary caregiver figures. People suffering from this disorder fear that their family member could be the victim of a tragic incident when they are separated. This could include getting lost or becoming sick. They may also be fearful of other scenarios that could make them separated from their loved ones including being abducted or having an accident with a car. This anxiety disorder can be experienced by adults at any age. Adult separation anxiety isn't thought to be caused by a specific cause however it can be caused by life changes such as depression, depression, or PTSD. The sufferers of this disorder might feel a lot dependent on their children or romantic partners, and have poor boundaries. Others may view them as being overly clingy or demanding. Symptoms of this condition include excessive distress when a person is separated from their family, significant distress when they're away from home or work and frequent nightmares about separation. These symptoms can lead people to avoid travel or other activities that involve a physical separation from their families, such as going to school. Children suffering from this condition could have physical issues, such as headaches or stomach pains when they are worried about being on their own. 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 have faced separation anxiety in the past. Talk therapy and, in a few instances, medications are used to treat this disorder. Your therapist can teach you and your child ways to manage their fears. They can assist you and your child to learn how to deal with separations in a step by steps. The medications can calm the mind and body, as well as reduce your child's anxiety. Diagnosis Separation anxiety disorder can cause a person to feel extreme anxiety when they are away from their home or other close attachment figures. In contrast to the normal anxiety and fear that people generally experience these symptoms disorder can be persistent, typically lasting more than four weeks for children and up to six months for adults. They create major disruptions to daily activities and performance at school and work. It can also impact the person's social life and ability to form romantic relationships. To determine the cause of this disorder A mental health professional will interview the patient and observe the patient's behavior. The provider will ask when symptoms started and what triggers them to get worse or improve. 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 determine whether there is another medical condition that could cause similar symptoms. This may be a condition such as cancer or a neurological disorder like multiple sclerosis or cerebral palsy. Other causes are family traumas like mental illness in the family, substance abuse, domestic violence and neglect and abuse of children. Diagnosis of separation anxiety disorder in adults is more difficult as there are no lab tests for the condition and it may have a variety of symptoms with other anxiety disorders. Separation anxiety disorder is more prevalent for adults who have had an emotional trauma or a major loss. Some studies suggest that people who suffer from separation disorders in childhood are more likely to develop anxiety and depression disorders later in life. Separation anxiety disorder can be treated in a variety of ways. Individuals suffering from separation anxiety can overcome their fear with therapy, such a cognitive behavioral treatment (CBT) or prescription medications like selective serotonin receptor antagonists and antidepressants. Parents with this disorder can benefit from strategies and training to strengthen their relationship with their child. Treatment Although many children experience a period when they become anxious and clingy to strangers When this fear persists throughout the elementary years and beyond, is associated with physical symptoms, and affects daily functioning, it may be an indication of separation anxiety disorder. According to BetterHelp, an online therapy service for children that treat separation anxiety disorder, it is a problem that affects as many as 4% of children, with a median age of 7 years old. Your child's healthcare professional will conduct a thorough examination to identify any physical issues that may be causing their anxiety. If no physical ailments are discovered then the healthcare provider for your child will refer them to an anxiety disorder specialist. For children, this will most likely be a child psychologist or psychiatrist. Psychotherapy, also referred to as talk therapy, is typically the first treatment option for separation anxiety disorder. The therapist will help your child learn healthy ways to manage their emotions and increase self-confidence and independence, and build resilience. The therapist will also educate parents on how they can assist their child and assist them with their anxiety. The use of medication, like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are typically prescribed in addition to psychotherapy for separation anxiety disorder. The therapist will decide the best treatment option for your child based upon their particular needs. Children with severe anxiety, like might benefit from a combination cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and exposure therapy. This means gradually expose your child to situations that trigger anxiety over time in small steps until they become comfortable. As children age, their symptoms usually decrease. There are some adults who have symptoms of separation anxiety throughout their adult lives. This could make it difficult to maintain relationships or pursue certain career goals, such as returning to school or moving for work. Adults with separation anxiety disorder have a high percentage of co-occurring disorders, including other anxiety disorders such as depression, phobias and post-traumatic stress disorder, and a range of addiction disorders. The following is a list of preventions. For many children with separation anxiety, it's an inevitable part of the development process. But for others, it can become an issue that is serious and can interfere with their lives and stops them from engaging in activities they enjoy. If your child's anxiety is disrupting their routine discuss it with a mental health professional. Children with separation anxiety disorder suffer extreme stress when they are separated from their parents or other major family members. They are constantly worried about being snatched away, missing, or experiencing an accident that could lead to the loss of loved ones to them. They might also have a hard time sleeping at night on their own or they may refuse to go to camps, school or play dates without their parents. The symptoms of separation anxiety in children must last at least four weeks before a physician can diagnose the problem. The healthcare provider may interview both the child as well as the parents separately to get the full picture. They might ask questions about other anxiety disorders or changes in life such as family history or life events that could trigger the separation anxiety. Treatment for anxiety disorder separation varies by the child's age and the severity of the symptoms. Younger children usually express their anxiety by expressing specific fears about harm to their attachment figures, such as being worried that their parents could be injured in a car accident or be attacked by burglars. In contrast older children with separation anxiety usually deny that they are worried about leaving the house. Behavioral therapy is a common treatment for children suffering from separation anxiety. It involves teaching relaxation techniques to children and assisting them to recognize and control their anxiety. In some instances, a mixture of therapies, such as cognitive therapy, is employed. Adults should be consistent with their responses to children experiencing separation anxiety. 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, firm boundaries, and help in overcoming their fears.