15 Reasons To Love Anxiety Disorder Separation
panic anxiety disorder and Teens With Separation Anxiety Disorder Children and adolescents who suffer from separation anxiety disorder worry excessively about being apart from their caregivers, parents or other significant people in their lives. They might also be concerned that separation could result in negative consequences, such as being hurt or lost. Psychotherapy and medication are a great option to treat children suffering from separation anxiety disorders. Therapy involves teaching the child to manage fearful situations gradually, with reassurance and support. Symptoms While some anxiety over being separated from loved ones is normal separation anxiety disorder causes people more anxious than other people when it comes to separating from family members and primary caregiving figures. People who suffer from this condition are worried that something terrible could occur to their family member if they are separated, such as losing their way or falling ill. They might also be scared of other situations that could cause separation from their loved one, 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 believed to be caused by anything specific however it can be triggered by changes in life, depression, or PTSD. People with this condition may feel a lot dependent on children or romantic partners, and may lack 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, a significant amount of distress when away from home or working, and recurring dreams involving separation. These symptoms can make people avoid travel or other activities that involve physical separation from their families, like going to school. Children who suffer from this condition might suffer physical issues like stomach pains if they worry about being on their own. A healthcare professional will inquire with you about your past and current symptoms or the symptoms of your child to determine the cause of separation anxiety. They will inquire about your family, and other relationships, to determine how you've faced separation anxiety in the past. Talk therapy and, in a few instances, medication are utilized to treat this condition. Your therapist will teach you and your children how to cope with the anxiety. They can assist you and your child learn how to deal with separations through a step by step process. The use of medication can help calm the brain and relax the body which can ease your child's anxiety. Diagnosis Separation anxiety disorder causes people to experience extreme distress if they are away from their home or other close family members. The symptoms of separation anxiety are more persistent than normal anxiety and anxiety and. They can last for up to six months in adults and for up to four weeks in children. They cause major disruptions to daily life, school, and work. 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 diagnose this disorder. The provider will want to be aware of the time when symptoms began and what causes them to become more or less severe. Based on the age of the patient an expert in mental health will also inquire about any recent events that might have caused stress, as well as any past trauma. The doctor will also decide whether there is another medical condition that could cause similar symptoms. It could be a condition such as cancer, or a neurological disorder such as multiple sclerosis or cerebral palsy. Other causes are family adversities such as parental mental illnesses or substance abuse, domestic violence and child neglect and abuse. Diagnosis of separation anxiety disorder in adults is more difficult, since there aren't any lab tests for the condition, and it can share many symptoms with other fears. Anyone who develops a separation anxiety disorder in their adulthood typically is a victim of trauma or a significant loss. Some studies suggest that people diagnosed with separation disorder in their early years may be more likely to develop anxiety and depression disorders as adults. Separation anxiety disorder can be treated in various ways. Individuals suffering from separation anxiety can overcome their fear through therapy, like a cognitive behavioral treatment (CBT) or prescription medications such as selective serotonin receptor antagonists and antidepressants. Parents who suffer from this disorder can benefit from techniques and training to improve their relationship with their child. Treatment Many children go through a phase where they are clingy and fearful of strangers If this fear persists throughout the elementary years and beyond and is associated with physical symptoms, and causes problems with daily activities it could be a sign of separation anxiety disorder. According to BetterHelp, an online therapy service for children, separation anxiety disorder is a problem that affects as many as 4% of children with a median age of 7 years. The doctor who treats your child will conduct an extensive exam to rule out physical issues that could cause anxiety. If no physical problems are discovered the healthcare provider of your child will refer them to a mental health professional who has experience in anxiety disorders. For children it will likely be a child psychologist or psychiatrist. Psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy, is often the first course of treatment for separation anxiety disorder. The Therapist will help your child learn how to manage their feelings and increase self-confidence and independence, as well as build resilience. The therapist will also educate parents on how they can help their child and aid them deal with their anxiety. The use of medication, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), is often prescribed along with psychotherapy for separation anxiety disorder. The therapist will determine which treatment option is best for your child based on their individual needs. For example, children with extreme anxiety may benefit from a combination of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and exposure therapy. This is when your child is exposed to situations that trigger their anxiety gradually in small steps until they feel comfortable with them. As children grow older their symptoms typically decrease. However, some adults may still suffer from symptoms of separation anxiety disorder throughout their adult lives. This could make it difficult for them to maintain relationships or to pursue certain career goals, such as returning to school or relocating to work. Adults suffering from separation disorder are more likely to suffer from co-occurring disorders like depression, phobias and post-traumatic disorder. Prevention Separation anxiety is a common occurrence in many children. For others, anxiety over separation can be a serious issue that interferes in their lives and hinders their participation in the activities they enjoy. Talk to a mental health professional if your child's fear is affecting their daily life. Separation anxiety disorder is a disorder in which children experience extreme distress when they are away from their parents or other family members. They are constantly worried about being lost, kidnapped, or experiencing an accident that could lead to the loss of people who are close to them. They may be having a difficult time sleeping on their own at night, or they might refuse to go to camps, school, or play dates without their parents. Doctors are not able to diagnose separation anxiety until the signs of a child last at least four weeks. Most often, the healthcare professional will interview the child and their parents in a separate interview to get an accurate picture of the situation. They might also inquire about other anxiety disorders or family history, as well as life changes that might have caused or made the separation anxiety worse. Treatment for separation anxiety disorder differs based on the child's age and the severity of symptoms. Children younger than 5 years old usually express their anxiety through specific worries about harm to their attachment figures, such as a fear that their parents might be hurt in a car crash or be attacked by a burglar. By contrast older children with separation anxiety usually deny that they have any anxiety about leaving their home. Behavioral therapy is a popular treatment for children suffering from separation anxiety. It usually involves teaching children relaxation techniques and helping them learn to recognize and control their fears. In some cases the combination of therapies is used, including medication and cognitive therapy. It's important 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 are not valid. They will only improve when they are given clear, unambiguous boundaries and help in conquering their fears.