Why You Should Focus On Improving Anxiety Disorder Separation

Children and Teens With Separation Anxiety Disorder Separation anxiety disorders affect children and adolescents who worry excessively when they are separated from their parents, caregivers, or other important people. They might also be concerned that separation could have negative consequences, like being lost or hurt. Children suffering from separation anxiety can be treated with psychotherapy and medication. Therapy includes teaching the child to deal with fearful situations slowly, with reassurance and support. Signs and symptoms While some anxiety over being apart 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 suffering from this condition are afraid that something bad will happen to their family member if they are separated, like being lost or getting sick. They might also be afraid of other scenarios that could separate them from their loved ones, like being kidnapped or being involved in a car accident. This anxiety disorder can be experienced by adults at any age. Adult separation anxiety is not known to be caused by a specific cause, but it may be caused by life changes or depression. It can also be caused by PTSD. People suffering from this disorder may feel a lot dependent on children or their romantic partners, and lack boundaries. Others can view them as being too demanding and clingy. This condition is characterized by excessive anxiety when a person is separated from family, significant distress while away from home or at work, and recurrent dreams of separation. These symptoms can lead people to avoid travel or other activities that involve physical separation from their families, such as going to school. Children with this condition may have difficulty sleeping or suffer from a range of physical problems, such as stomach pains or headaches, when they are worried about being alone. To diagnose this disorder a healthcare provider will ask about your your child's past and current symptoms. They will ask you about your family, and other relationships, to determine how you've faced separation anxiety in the past. Treatment for this disorder includes talking therapy and, in some instances medication. Your therapist will teach you and your children how to deal with the fear. They can help you and your child learn how to deal with separations through a step by steps. Medications can help to calm the mind and relax the body which can help ease the anxiety of your child. Diagnosis A person suffering from separation anxiety disorder will experience extreme stress when apart from home or close attachment figures. Contrary to the normal fears and anxieties that many people suffer from, the symptoms of this disorder are persistent, often lasting for more than four weeks for children, and up to six months or longer in adults. They create major disruptions to daily life and function at school and work. It can also impact the social life of a person and their ability to form romantic relationships. A mental health professional will interview and examine the patient's behavior to diagnose this disorder. The doctor will inquire about when symptoms first started and what triggers them to worsen or improve. A mental health professional will inquire about recent events and trauma history in relation to the age of the patient. The doctor will also decide whether there is a medical condition that may cause similar symptoms. This may be a condition such as cancer or a neurological disorder such as multiple sclerosis or cerebral palsy. Other causes are family problems like parental mental illnesses or domestic violence, abuse of substances and child neglect and abuse. It can be difficult to diagnose separation anxiety disorder among adults, as there aren't any lab tests and the symptoms may be similar to those of other fears. Separation anxiety disorder is more prevalent for adults who have had a traumatic experience or significant loss. Certain studies suggest that those diagnosed with separation disorder in their early years may be more likely to develop depression and anxiety disorders as adults. Several treatment options are available for those suffering from separation anxiety disorder. Therapy such as cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) as well as medication, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors as well as antidepressants, can help overcome the phobia. Parents who suffer from this disorder can benefit from strategies and education to improve their relationship with their child. Treatment Although many children experience a period that makes them clingy and fearful of strangers If this fear persists into the elementary years and beyond and is associated with physical symptoms, and causes problems with daily activities it could be an indication of separation anxiety disorder. According to the BetterHelp online therapy service the disorder of separation anxiety is the most prevalent anxiety disorder diagnosed in kids, affecting up to 4 percent of them with an onset age of about 7 years. The doctor who treats your child will conduct an extensive exam to rule out physical ailments that could cause anxiety. If no physical issues are found, the healthcare provider for your child will refer them to an anxiety disorder specialist. For children, this will most likely be a psychiatrist or child psychologist. Psychotherapy (also called talk therapy) is often the first option for treating separation anxiety disorder. generalized anxiety disorder will work with your child to help them learn healthy ways to manage their emotions, boosting confidence in themselves and their independence, and building resilience. The therapist will also train parents on how they can support their child and help them deal with their anxiety. Separation anxiety disorder is often treated with medication, such as antidepressants like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). The therapist will decide which treatment option is best for your child based on their specific needs. For example, children with severe anxiety might benefit from a combination of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and exposure therapy. This involves exposing your child to situations that trigger their anxiety gradually over time, in small steps, until they are at ease with them. As children grow older their symptoms typically decrease. However, generalized anxiety disorder could be suffering from separation anxiety throughout their adult lives. It can be difficult to maintain relationships or pursue certain career goals, such as returning to school or moving to work. Adults with separation anxiety disorder are more likely to suffer from co-occurring disorders, including other types of anxiety disorders such as depression, 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. For others, separation anxiety can be a serious issue that interferes in their lives and prevents participation in the activities they enjoy. Talk to a mental health professional if your child's anxiety affects their daily routine. Children with separation anxiety disorder suffer extreme anxiety when they are separated from their parents or other significant attachment figures. They have persistent fears about being snatched away, missing, or experiencing an accident that could lead to the loss of loved ones to them. They might have difficulty falling to sleep at night, or refusing to go to school, play dates, or camp without their parents. Doctors do not diagnose separation anxiety until the signs of a child last at minimum four weeks. Often, the healthcare provider will interview the child and parents separately to obtain a full picture of the situation. 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 triggered or made the separation anxiety worse. Treatment for separation anxiety differs based on the age of the child, and the severity of the symptoms. Children express anxiety by worrying about their attachment figures. For instance they might worry that their parents are in a car crash or be attacked by burglars. In contrast, older children with separation anxiety typically deny that they are anxious about leaving their home. Children who have anxiety about separation are often treated using behavioral therapy. It usually involves teaching children relaxation techniques and assisting them in learning to recognize and manage their fears. In some cases the combination of treatments is employed, such as cognitive therapy and medication. It's important for adults to be consistent in their responses to children's separation anxiety. Children must be taught that their pleas for parents not to leave are not valid and they'll only improve if provided with clear, definite boundaries and a helping hand as they try to overcome their fears.