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Children and Teens With Separation Anxiety Disorder Children and adolescents suffering from separation anxiety disorder have a tendency to worry about being separated from their caregivers, parents or other important people in their lives. They may also worry about the possible negative effects of separation, like getting lost or being injured. Children with separation anxiety disorders can be treated with therapy and medication. The child is taught to approach feared situations slowly, with reassurance. Signs and symptoms While some anxiety over being away from loved ones is normal separation anxiety disorder can cause people much more intensely anxious than other people when it comes to the separation from family members and primary caregiving figures. People with this disorder are concerned that something tragic will happen to their family member when they are separated, such as getting lost or becoming ill. They might also be afraid of other circumstances that could make them separated from their loved one, including being abducted or having an accident with a car. The first signs of this anxiety disorder typically begins in childhood, though adults can develop it at any age. Adult separation anxiety is not believed to be caused by anything specific, but it may be caused by life changes such as depression, depression, or PTSD. The people who suffer from this disorder may feel too dependent on their spouses or children and exhibit poor boundaries. Others may view them as being too clingy or demanding. This condition is characterized by excessive anxiety when a person is separated from family, significant distress when away from home or at work, and frequent thoughts of separation. These symptoms can make people avoid traveling or other activities that involve a physical separation from family members, for example, going back to school. Children with this condition may have difficulty sleeping or suffer from a range of physical ailments, such as headaches or stomach pains in the event of anxiety about being left alone. A healthcare provider will ask you about your current and past symptoms, or those of your child in order to determine if you suffer from separation anxiety. They will ask you 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 disorder. Your therapist will teach you and your children how to cope with the anxiety. They can also help you to approach feared situations by guiding you through the steps that will help your child learn how to cope with separations and increase their confidence. The medicines can help calm the brain, relax the body and help ease your child's fears. Diagnosis A person suffering from separation anxiety is likely to experience extreme anxiety when they are away from their home or close attachment figures. The symptoms of separation anxiety disorder are more persistent than normal anxiety and anxiety and. They can last 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 form romantic relationships and socialize. To diagnose this disorder, a mental health professional will interview the patient and observe his or her behavior. The provider will ask when symptoms first started and what triggers them to get worse or improve. 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 attempt 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 multiple sclerosis or cerebral palsy. Other possible causes are family-related adversities that affect children like parental mental illness, substance abuse or domestic violence, child abuse and neglect, as well as exposure to traumatizing events, such as natural disasters and sexual assault, war, or the death of a loved one. It can be difficult to diagnose separation anxiety disorder among adults, since there are no lab tests and the symptoms can be similar to other fears. Separation anxiety disorder is more common among adults who have suffered an emotional trauma or a major loss. There are studies that suggest that those who were diagnosed with separation anxiety disorder as children are more likely to be suffering from anxiety and depression in adulthood. Separation anxiety disorder can be treated in a variety of ways. Individuals suffering from separation anxiety can overcome their phobia through therapy, including cognitive behavioral treatment (CBT) or medication such as selective serotonin receptor antagonists and antidepressants. People with this disorder often benefit from parent education and methods to improve their relationship with their children. Treatment Many children experience a period that makes them clingy and fearful of strangers If this fear persists into the elementary years and beyond, is accompanied by physical symptoms, and affects daily functioning it could be a sign of separation anxiety disorder. According to BetterHelp an online therapy service for children that treat separation anxiety disorder, it is a problem that affects as many as 4% of children and has a median age of 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 issues are identified the healthcare provider of your child will refer them to a mental health professional with experience in treating anxiety disorders. This will likely be a child psychiatrist or psychologist. Psychotherapy, also referred to as talk therapy, is often the first option of treatment for separation anxiety disorder. The therapy therapist will work with your child to help them learn healthy ways of managing their emotions, building confidence and independence, as well as building resilience. The therapist will educate parents on how they can help their child with anxiety. The use of medication, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), is often prescribed in addition to psychotherapy for separation anxiety disorder. Based on your child's individual requirements, their therapy therapist will determine which options are best for them. Children with severe anxiety, for example might benefit from a mix of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) as well as exposure therapy. This means exposing your child to situations that trigger their anxiety gradually, in small steps, until they are comfortable with them. Most often, children suffering from separation anxiety disorder will improve as they grow older and their symptoms decrease. There are some adults who suffer from symptoms of separation disorder throughout their adult lives. This can make it difficult to maintain relationships or to pursue certain career goals, such as returning to college or relocating for work. Adults suffering from separation disorder are more likely to develop co-occurring disorders such as depression, phobias, and post-traumatic disorder. Prevention For many children with separation anxiety, it's an inevitable part of the development process. For others, it can become an issue that causes problems with their lives and stops them from engaging in activities they like. If your child's worries are disrupting their routine consult a mental health professional. Children with separation anxiety disorder experience extreme distress when separated from their parents or other major family members. They are constantly concerned about being kidnapped, or lost, or that an accident could result in the loss of those closest to themselves. They might have difficulty falling asleep at night or refusing to go to school, play dates or camp without parents. Doctors will not diagnose separation anxiety until the signs of a child last at least four weeks. Often, the healthcare provider will interview the child and parents separately to get an accurate picture of the situation. They might also inquire about any other anxiety disorders or family history, as well as life events that could have caused or made the separation anxiety more severe. 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, being worried that their parents will get in a car accident or be attacked by a burglar. However, older children with separation anxiety typically deny that they are anxious 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 instances it is necessary to combine treatments is employed, such as cognitive therapy and medication. Adults must be consistent in their responses to children who are experiencing separation anxiety. Kids need to know that their requests for parents not to leave are not valid, and they'll only improve if given clear, precise boundaries and support as they work to overcome their fears.