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Children and Teens With Separation Anxiety DisorderChildren and adolescents suffering from separation anxiety disorder are anxious about being separated from their parents, caregivers or other significant people in their lives. They might also be concerned that separation could result in negative consequences, for example, getting hurt or lost.Psychotherapy and medication are a great option to treat children with separation anxiety disorders. Therapy involves teaching the child to approach feared situations gradually by providing reassurance and encouragement.SymptomsAlthough some anxiety about being separated 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 caregiving figures. People who suffer from this condition are worried that something terrible could happen to their family member when they are separated, for example, losing their way or falling ill. They might also be afraid of other scenarios that could separate them from their loved ones like being kidnapped or getting into a car accident.The onset of this disorder typically occurs in childhood, though adults can be affected at any time. Adult separation anxiety isn't thought to be caused by anything specific, but it may be triggered by life changes, depression, or PTSD. People with this condition may feel overly dependent on their children or their romantic partners, and have poor boundaries. Some may view them as being too clingy and demanding.This condition is marked by a high level of anxiety when a person is separated from their family, significant stress when away from home or at work, and frequent thoughts of separation. These symptoms can make people avoid travel or other activities that entail physical separation from their families, such as going to school. Children who suffer from this condition may have trouble sleeping or experience a variety of physical issues, such as stomach pains or headaches, in the event of anxiety about being left alone.To diagnose this disorder, the healthcare professional will inquire about your your child's past and present symptoms. They will also inquire about your family and other relationships, to see how you've been able to manage separation anxiety before.Treatment for this disorder includes talking therapy and, in some cases medication. Your therapist will teach you and your child methods to deal with their fears. They can help you and your child to learn to manage separations in a step by procedure. Medications can help to calm the mind and relax the body, which can ease your child's anxiety.DiagnosisA person suffering from separation anxiety will experience extreme stress when they are away from their the home or close family members. In contrast to the normal anxiety and fear that most people suffer from the symptoms of this disorder can be persistent, typically lasting for more than four weeks in children and up to six months in adults. They cause major disruption to daily life and function at work and school. It can also affect the person's social life and ability to develop romantic relationships.To determine if this disorder is present, a mental health professional will interview the patient and observe their behavior. The doctor will inquire about when symptoms began and what causes them to get worse or improve. Depending on the individual's age an expert in mental health may also ask about recent events that could be causing stress, as well as any history of trauma.The doctor will also try to determine whether the fear is a result of another medical condition that can cause similar symptoms, for example an illness such as cancer or a neurological condition such as cerebral palsy or multiple sclerosis. Other possible causes are familial adversities in childhood, such as parental mental illness, addiction to drugs domestic violence, child abuse and neglect, as well as exposure to traumatizing events, such as natural disasters and sexual assault, war or the loss of loved ones.It is a challenge to identify separation anxiety disorder in adults, as there are no tests for it and the symptoms could be similar to those of other phobias. Separation anxiety disorder is more frequent among adults who have suffered trauma or a significant loss. Some studies indicate 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 various ways. Individuals suffering from separation anxiety can overcome their fear through therapy, including cognitive behavioral treatment (CBT), or medications like selective serotonin antagonists and antidepressants. Parents who suffer from this disorder can benefit from strategies and education to improve their relationship with their child.TreatmentAlthough many children go through a phase when they become clingy and fearful of strangers If this fear persists through elementary school and beyond, is manifested as physical symptoms and causes problems with daily activities it could be an indication of separation anxiety disorder. 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% of them, with a onset age of around 7 years.Your child's healthcare professional will perform a thorough exam to identify any physical issues that may be causing their anxiety. If no physical problems are found, the healthcare provider for your child will refer them to an anxiety disorder specialist. This will likely be a child psychiatrist or psychologist.Psychotherapy (also known as talk therapy) is typically the first treatment for separation anxiety disorder. The therapist will help your child learn healthy ways to manage their emotions, increase self-confidence, independence, and build resilience. The therapist will also educate parents on how they can aid their child suffering from anxiety. Separation anxiety disorder is often treated with medication, such as antidepressants, such as selective serotoninin receptor inhibitors (SSRIs).The therapist will decide the best treatment option for your child based on their individual needs. For instance, children suffering from extreme anxiety may benefit from a combination of cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) and exposure therapy. This involves gradually exposing your child to the situations that trigger anxiety in small steps until they are comfortable.Most often, children suffering from separation anxiety disorder will improve as they age and their symptoms diminish. However, some adults might still suffer from symptoms of separation anxiety throughout their adult lives. It can be challenging to keep relationships going or to achieve certain career goals such as returning to college or moving to work. Adults suffering from separation anxiety disorder are more likely to suffer from co-occurring conditions, such as other types of anxiety disorders such as depression and phobias, post-traumatic stress disorder, and a variety of substance use disorders.PreventionFor many children, separation anxiety is an expected part of developing. For others, anxiety over separation is a serious problem that interferes in their lives and prevents them from participating in activities they enjoy. If your child's worries are disrupting their daily routine discuss it with a mental health professional.Children suffering from separation anxiety suffer extreme stress when they are separated from their parents or other significant relationships. They are constantly worried about being lost, kidnapped or experiencing an accident that could lead to the loss of those closest to them. They might also have trouble falling asleep alone at night or refusing to go to camp, school, or play dates without their parents.Doctors do not diagnose separation anxiety until the symptoms of a child last at least four weeks. The healthcare provider can interview both the child and parents separately to gather the complete picture. They might also inquire about anxiety disorders that are not related to separation anxiety or family history, as well as life changes that might have caused or made separation anxiety more severe.Treatment for anxiety disorder separation differs depending on the child's age and the severity of the symptoms. Children younger than 5 years old typically express their anxiety through specific worries about harm to their loved ones for example, being worried that their parents will get in a car crash or be attacked by burglars. However type of anxiety disorder who suffer from separation anxiety often deny they are anxious about leaving the house.Children who suffer from separation anxiety are often treated with behavioral therapy. It involves teaching relaxation techniques to children and assisting them to understand and manage their anxiety. In some instances it is necessary to combine therapies is used, including cognitive therapy and medication.It's important for adults to be consistent in their responses to children's anxiety about separation. Children need to be taught that their pleas to parents to stay home are not valid and they'll only improve if they're given clear, firm boundaries and support as they work to overcome their fears.