11 "Faux Pas" That Are Actually Acceptable To Create Using Your Anxiety Disorder Separation

Children and Teens With Separation Anxiety Disorder

Children and adolescents suffering from separation anxiety disorder worry excessively about being separated 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 medication can be used to treat children suffering from separation anxiety disorder. Therapy includes teaching the child to approach feared situations gradually, with reassurance and support.

Symptoms

Separation anxiety disorder is more severe than normal anxiety in the event of being separated from family and primary caregivers. 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 getting lost or getting sick. They might also be scared of other scenarios that could make them separated from their loved ones for example, being kidnapped or getting into a a car accident.

This anxiety disorder can affect adults at any age. It's not known what causes adult separation anxiety, but it can be triggered by major life changes or previous mental health issues, like depression or PTSD. The sufferers of this disorder might feel overly dependent on their children or their romantic partners, and lack boundaries. Some may see them as being overly demanding or clingy.

The symptoms of this condition include a high level of distress when a person is separated from their family, severe anxiety when they are away from home or work and frequent nightmares about separation. These symptoms can make people avoid travel or other activities that entail the physical separation of their families, such as going to school. Children who suffer from this condition might experience physical problems such as headaches or stomach pains if they worry about being alone.

To determine the severity of this disorder, medical professionals will inquire about your your child's previous and current symptoms. They will also ask you about your family and other relationships to find out how you've dealt with separation anxiety in the past.

Treatment for this disorder can include talking therapy and, in some cases, medication. Your therapist will teach you and your children how to deal with the anxiety. They can also guide you approach situations that are feared through a step-by-step method that helps your child learn how to handle separations and build up their confidence. The medications can calm the brain and body, as well as help ease your child's fears.

Diagnosis

A person suffering from separation anxiety disorder will feel extreme distress when they are away from their home or close attachment figures. Unlike normal fear and worry that people generally experience these symptoms disorder are long-lasting, usually lasting more than four weeks for children, and up to six months or longer in adults. They can cause significant disruption to daily life and function at work and school. It can also affect a person's socialization and ability to establish romantic relationships.

A mental health professional will interview and examine the patient's behavior to diagnose the disorder. The provider will ask when symptoms first started and what causes 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 patient.

The doctor will also determine whether there is a medical condition that may cause similar symptoms. This may be a condition such as cancer or a neurological disorder like cerebral palsy or multiple sclerosis. Other causes include family traumas like parental mental illnesses and domestic violence, abuse of substances and child abuse and neglect.

It can be difficult to diagnose separation anxiety disorder in adults, since there are no tests for it and the symptoms can be similar to the symptoms of other fears. Separation anxiety disorder is more prevalent for adults who have had an emotional trauma or a major loss. Some studies indicate that people who suffer from separation disorders in childhood may be more likely to develop anxiety and depression disorders later on in their lives.

There are a variety of treatment options available for those suffering from separation anxiety disorder. There are a variety of treatment options available to those suffering from. Therapy like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) as well as medications, like selective serotonin receptor inhibitors and antidepressants, can help people overcome their fear. Parents suffering from this disorder can benefit from strategies 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 the elementary school years, and is manifested by physical symptoms and interferes in everyday functioning. According to BetterHelp, an online therapy service for children the disorder of separation anxiety affects up to 4% with a median age of 7 years old.

Your child's doctor will conduct an exhaustive exam to rule out physical issues that could be causing anxiety. If no physical problems are found the doctor who treats your child will refer them to a mental health professional with expertise in  anxiety disorders . This will likely be a psychologist or child psychiatrist.

Psychotherapy (also known as talk therapy) is typically the first treatment for separation anxiety disorder. The therapist will assist your child to help them learn healthy ways of managing their emotions, boosting confidence and independence, as well as building resilience. The therapist will educate parents on ways to help their child with anxiety. Separation anxiety disorder is usually 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 most appropriate for the child. For instance, children suffering from severe anxiety might benefit from a combination of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and exposure therapy. This means exposing your child to situations that trigger their anxiety gradually over time, in small steps, until they feel at ease with them.

Most often, children suffering from separation anxiety disorder will improve as they grow older and their symptoms decrease. However, some adults may continue to have symptoms of separation anxiety disorder throughout their adult lives. It can be challenging for them keep relationships going or to achieve certain career goals such as returning to college or moving to work. Adults who suffer from separation disorder are more likely to develop co-occurring disorders like depression, phobias and post-traumatic disorder.

Prevention

For many kids who are anxious about separation, it is an expected part of developing. But for others, it can become an issue that causes problems with their lives and prevents them from taking part in activities they like. If your child's worries are disrupting their daily routines discuss it with a mental health professional.

Children suffering from separation anxiety suffer extreme anxiety when they are separated from their parents or other significant relationships. They are always worried about being snatched away, missing, or having an accident that will result in the loss of people who are close to them. They might have difficulty falling to sleep at night, or refusing to go to play dates, school, or camp without their parents.

Doctors will not diagnose separation anxiety until the signs of a child last at least four weeks. The healthcare professional may interview both the child and the parents separately to gather the complete picture. They might ask questions regarding other anxiety disorders or changes in the life, such as family history or life events that may cause separation anxiety.

Treatment for separation anxiety is dependent on the age of the child and the severity of symptoms. Younger children tend to express their anxiety through specific concerns about harm to their loved ones like a fear that their parents will get in a car crash or be attacked by burglars. In contrast older children who suffer from separation anxiety typically deny that they are worried about leaving the house.

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

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 when they are given clear, definite boundaries and help in overcoming their fears.