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Children and Teens With Separation Anxiety Disorder Separation anxiety disorder is a problem that affects adolescents and children who worry overly when they are away from their parents, caregivers or other significant people. They might also be concerned that being separated could have negative consequences, like being hurt or lost. Children with separation anxiety disorder are treated through psychotherapy and medication. The child is taught to tackle difficult situations slowly, with assurance. Symptoms Although some anxiety about being apart from loved ones is normal, separation anxiety disorder makes people more anxious than other people when it comes to the separation from family members and primary caregiver figures. People suffering from this disorder fear that their family member will suffer a tragic event when they are separated. This could mean that they get lost or falling ill. They may also be fearful of other circumstances that could separate them from their loved one, including being abducted or having an accident in a vehicle. This anxiety disorder can affect people at any age. Adult separation anxiety is not thought to be caused by any specific factor, but it may be triggered by life changes or depression. It can also be caused by PTSD. The people who suffer from this disorder may feel too dependent on their spouses or children and display a lack of boundaries. Others may view them as too clingy or demanding. The signs of this disorder include a high level of distress 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, going back to school. Children who suffer from this condition may have difficulty sleeping or may experience a variety of physical ailments, such as headaches or stomach pains when they are worried about being left alone. A healthcare professional will inquire with you about your current and past symptoms, or those of your child in order to determine if you suffer from separation anxiety. They will also inquire about your family and other relationships to determine how you've faced separation anxiety in the past. Talk therapy and, in some instances, medication are utilized to treat this condition. Your therapist will teach you and your children how to deal with the fear. They can also assist you deal with situations that scare you in a step-by-step process that helps your child learn how to cope with separations and increase their confidence. Medications can help to calm the brain and relax the body which can ease your child's anxiety. Diagnosis Separation anxiety disorder causes individuals to feel intense stress when they are away from their home or 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 more than six months in adults, and they can cause significant disruption to daily life and function at work and school. It can also impact 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 their behavior. The healthcare provider will want know when the symptoms started and what triggers them to be worse or better. Depending on the individual's age an expert in mental health might also inquire about any recent events that might have caused stress and any history of trauma. The doctor will also determine if there is another medical condition that can cause similar symptoms. It could be due to an illness like cancer, or a neurological disorder like cerebral palsy or multiple sclerosis. Other causes include family problems like mental illness of the parents or substance abuse, domestic violence and child abuse and neglect. Diagnosis of separation anxiety disorder in adults is more difficult, since there aren't any lab tests for the condition, and it may share a number of symptoms with other anxiety disorders. Anyone who develops a separation anxiety disorder in adulthood typically does so after experiencing trauma or a significant loss. Some studies indicate that people diagnosed with separation disorder in childhood are more likely to develop anxiety and depression disorders later on in their lives. Separation anxiety disorder can be treated in various ways. Treatment like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) as well as medication, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors as well as antidepressants, can help people overcome their fear. Parents suffering from this disorder can benefit from techniques and training to improve their relationship with their child. Treatment While many children go through a phase that makes them anxious and clingy to strangers If this fear persists into the elementary years and beyond, is manifested as physical symptoms and interferes with daily functioning, it may be a sign of separation anxiety disorder. In fact, according to the BetterHelp online therapy service that separation anxiety disorder is the most common anxiety disorder that is diagnosed in children with up to 4 percent of them, with an onset age of around 7 years. Your child's healthcare professional will conduct a thorough examination to identify any physical issues that may be causing their anxiety. If no physical issues are identified the healthcare provider of your child will refer them to an expert in mental health who has experience in anxiety disorders. This could be a child psychiatrist or psychologist. Psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy, is typically the first option of treatment for separation anxiety disorder. The therapy therapist will assist your child to learn healthy ways to manage their feelings to increase self-confidence, confidence, independence, and build resilience. The therapist will also educate parents on ways to aid their child suffering from anxiety. Separation anxiety disorder is typically treated with medication, such as antidepressants like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Depending on your child's specific needs, the therapy therapist will determine which options are most appropriate for their specific needs. For example, children with severe anxiety may benefit from a combination of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and exposure therapy. This involves gradually exposing your child to the situations that cause anxiety in small steps until they are comfortable. As children grow older, their symptoms usually decrease. However, some adults could continue to have symptoms of separation anxiety disorder throughout their adult lives. This makes it difficult for them to maintain relationships or to pursue certain career goals, like going back to college or moving for work. Adults suffering from separation anxiety disorder are more likely to suffer from co-occurring disorders, including other anxiety disorders, depression and phobias, post-traumatic stress disorder, and a range of addiction disorders. The following is a list of preventions. Separation anxiety is a common occurrence in many children. But for others it can turn into an issue that is serious and can interfere with their lives and blocks them from taking part in activities they enjoy. If your child's fears are disrupting their daily routines, talk to an expert in mental health. Children suffering from separation anxiety disorder suffer extreme stress when they are separated from their parents or other important family members. They are constantly worried about being lost, kidnapped, or having an accident that will lead to the loss of loved ones to them. They might have difficulty falling to sleep at night, or refusing to go to play dates, school, or camp without their parents. The symptoms of separation anxiety in children should last for at least four weeks before a physician can determine the cause. Most often, the healthcare professional will interview the child and their parents in a separate interview to get an entire picture of the situation. They might also inquire about anxiety disorders that are not related to separation anxiety or family history, as well as changes in life that may have caused or made the separation anxiety worse. Treatment for separation anxiety is dependent on the child's age and the severity of symptoms. Younger children typically express their anxiety by expressing specific fears about harm to their attachment figures for example, a fear that their parents could be injured in a car crash or be attacked by burglars. Separation anxiety in older children is usually ignored by them. Behavioral therapy is a common treatment for children with separation anxiety. It typically involves teaching children relaxation techniques and helping them learn to recognize and manage their fears. In some instances the combination of therapies is used, including cognitive therapy and medication. It is crucial for adults to be consistent in their responses to children's separation anxiety. Children need to understand that their parents' pleas not to leave them are not valid. They will only improve by receiving clear, unambiguous boundaries and help in overcoming their fears.