Why You Should Concentrate On Enhancing Anxiety Disorder Separation

Children and Teens With Separation Anxiety Disorder

Separation anxiety disorders affect adolescents and children who worry frequently when they are not from their parents, caregivers or other significant people. They might also be concerned that separation could result in negative consequences, like being lost or hurt.

Children suffering from separation anxiety can be treated with psychotherapy and medications. Therapy includes teaching the child to deal with fearful situations slowly by providing reassurance and encouragement.

Symptoms

Separation anxiety disorder is more intense than normal anxiety in relation to 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 include getting lost or falling ill. They might also be worried about other situations that could keep them from their loved ones, such as being abducted or getting into a car accident.

This anxiety disorder can affect people at any age. Adult separation anxiety isn't known to be caused by anything specific however it can be triggered by life changes such as depression, depression, or PTSD. People who suffer from this condition may be overly dependent on their children or romantic partners and display a lack of boundaries. Others may perceive them as too clingy or demanding.

The signs of this disorder include extreme stress when a person is cut off from their family, significant anxiety when they are away from home or work and frequent nightmares of separation. These symptoms can lead people to avoid traveling or other activities that involve a physical separation from their families, like going to school. Children who suffer from this condition may have trouble sleeping or experience a variety of physical issues like headaches or stomachaches, when they worry about being on their own.

A healthcare professional will ask you about your previous and current symptoms, or the symptoms of your child to diagnose separation anxiety. They will also inquire about your family and other relationships to determine how you have dealt with separation anxiety in the past.

Talk therapy and, in a few instances, medications are used to treat this disorder. Your therapist will instruct you and your children how to deal with the fear. They can also help you approach situations that are feared by guiding you through the steps that helps your child learn how to handle separations and increase their confidence. The use of medication can help calm the brain and relax the body which can help ease your child's anxiety.

Diagnosis

A person suffering from separation anxiety will experience extreme stress when they are away from their home or close attachment figures. Contrary to the normal fears and anxieties that people generally feel the symptoms of this disorder are long-lasting, usually lasting longer than four weeks in children and six months or longer in adults, and they can cause significant disruption to the daily routine and functioning at school and work. The condition can also cause problems with a person's ability create romantic relationships and socialize.

To determine if this disorder is present A mental health professional will interview the patient and observe the patient's behavior. The doctor will inquire about when symptoms began and what triggers them to get worse or improve. A mental health professional will ask about recent events and the history of trauma dependent on the age of the patient.

The doctor will also try to determine whether the fear is the result of a different medical condition that could cause similar symptoms, such as an illness such as cancer or a neurological issue like cerebral palsy or multiple-sclerosis. Other causes include family traumas like mental illness in the family, domestic violence, abuse of substances and child abuse and neglect.

It is a challenge to identify separation anxiety disorder among adults, as there are no tests for it and the symptoms may be similar to those of other phobias. Someone who develops a separation anxiety disorder in adulthood typically is a victim of trauma or a significant loss. Certain studies suggest that those who suffer from separation disorders in childhood are more likely to develop depression and anxiety disorders later on in their lives.

Separation anxiety disorder can be treated in various ways. Therapy like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and medications, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors as well as antidepressants, can help overcome their fear. People suffering from this disorder typically benefit from parental education and techniques to improve their relationship with their children.

Treatment

While many children go through a phase where they are anxious and clingy to strangers If this fear persists through the elementary years and beyond, is manifested as physical symptoms and affects daily functioning, it may be an indication of separation anxiety disorder. According to BetterHelp, an online therapy service for children, separation anxiety disorder affects up to 4% with an average age of 7 years old.

Your child's doctor will perform a thorough examination 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 who has expertise in anxiety disorders. It could be a psychologist or child psychiatrist.

Psychotherapy, also referred to as talk therapy, is typically the first course of treatment for separation anxiety disorder. The Therapist will help your child discover healthy ways to manage their feelings, increase self-confidence, independence, and build resilience. The therapist will instruct parents on how they can aid their child suffering from anxiety. Medication, including antidepressants like selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), is often prescribed along with psychotherapy for separation anxiety disorder.

Based on your child's individual needs, the therapy therapist will determine which options are best for the child. Children who suffer from severe anxiety, for example might benefit from a combination of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) as well as exposure therapy. This involves gradually exposing your child to the situations that trigger anxiety over time in a series of small steps until they are comfortable.

As children get older their symptoms typically decrease. However, some adults might continue to have symptoms of separation anxiety disorder throughout their adult lives. This can make it difficult for them to maintain relationships or to pursue certain career goals, like returning to college or relocating for work. Adults suffering from separation anxiety disorder are more likely to suffer from co-occurring conditions, such as other  anxiety disorders  depression and phobias, post-traumatic stress disorder, and a variety of addiction disorders.

Prevention

For many children, separation anxiety is an expected part of developing. For others it can be a serious problem that interferes with their lives and prevents them from taking part in activities they enjoy. If your child's fears are disrupting their daily routine consult an expert in mental health.

Separation anxiety disorder is a condition in which children suffer from extreme distress when they are away from their parents or other figures of attachment. They are constantly worried about being abducted, lost, or having an accident that will lead to the loss of those closest to them. They might also have trouble sleeping at night on their own or refusing to go to school, camp or play dates without their parents.

Doctors will not diagnose separation anxiety until the symptoms of a child last at least four weeks. The healthcare provider can interview both the child as well as the parents separately to get the full picture. They may ask questions about anxiety disorders or changes in life, such as family history and life events that may trigger the separation anxiety.

Treatment for separation anxiety disorder varies depending on the age of the child, and the severity of the symptoms. Children express anxiety by worrying about their attachment figures. For example, they may worry that their parents might be involved in a car accident or attacked by burglars. Separation anxiety in older children is often denied by them.

Behavioral therapy is a typical treatment for children suffering from separation anxiety. It involves teaching relaxation techniques to children and assisting them to understand and manage their anxiety. In some cases there is a mix of therapies, including cognitive therapy, is used.

Adults must be consistent in their responses to children experiencing separation anxiety. Children must be taught that their parents' pleas not to leave them are not valid. They can only grow when they are given clear, unambiguous boundaries and support in conquering their fears.