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Children and Teens With Separation Anxiety Disorder Children and adolescents with separation anxiety disorder are anxious about being away from their parents, caregivers or other significant people in their lives. They may also worry that separation could have negative consequences, like being hurt or lost. Children with separation anxiety disorders are treated through therapy and medication. Therapy includes teaching the child to approach feared situations gradually by providing reassurance and encouragement. Signs and symptoms Separation anxiety disorder is more severe than normal anxiety when it comes to being separated from family members and primary caregivers. People suffering from this disorder are worried that their family member will be the victim of a tragic event if they are separated. This could mean that they get lost or falling ill. They might also be afraid of other scenarios that could separate them from their loved ones such as being kidnapped or having a an accident in a vehicle. The first signs of this anxiety disorder typically begins in childhood, though adults can be affected at any age. Adult separation anxiety isn't known to be caused by any specific factor however it could be triggered by life changes, depression, or PTSD. People with this condition may feel overly dependent on children or their romantic partners, and lack boundaries. Others may perceive them as being too demanding or clingy. Symptoms of this condition include excessive distress when someone is separated from their family, significant distress when they are away from their home or at work and recurrent nightmares involving separation. These symptoms can cause people avoid traveling or other activities that require physical separation from family members, like going back to school. Children with this condition may have physical issues, such as stomach pains when they are worried about being alone. To determine the severity of this disorder, the healthcare professional will inquire about your or your child's past and current symptoms. They will also ask you about your family and other relationships to find out how you have dealt with separation anxiety in the past. Treatment for this disorder consists of therapy for talk and, in some instances medication. Your therapist will teach you and your children how to deal with the anxiety. They can also help you to approach feared situations through a step-by-step method that can help your child understand how to handle separations and build up their confidence. The medication can relax the mind, relax the body and ease your child's anxieties. Diagnosis A person suffering from separation anxiety disorder will feel extreme distress when apart from family members or close friends. The symptoms of separation anxiety disorder can be more severe than normal anxiety and anxiety and. They can last up to six months for adults and up to four weeks in children. They cause major disruptions to daily life at school, work, and home. The condition can also cause problems with a person's ability to create romantic relationships and socialize. To determine if this disorder is present A mental health professional will interview the patient and observe their behavior. The provider will ask when symptoms started and what triggers the symptoms to become worse or better. Depending on the person's age, a mental health professional may also ask about recent events that could have caused stress and any previous trauma history. The doctor will also determine whether there is a medical condition that can cause similar symptoms. It could be a condition such as cancer, or a neurological disorder such as cerebral palsy or multiple sclerosis. Other causes include family problems like parental mental illnesses and domestic violence, substance abuse and child abuse and neglect. Diagnosis of separation anxiety disorder in adults is more difficult as there are no lab tests for the condition, and it may share a number of symptoms with other phobias. Separation anxiety disorder is more common in adults who have experienced trauma or a significant loss. Some studies suggest that people who were diagnosed with separation anxiety disorder as children are more likely to be suffering from anxiety and depression as they age. Separation anxiety disorder can be treated in a variety of ways. Therapy like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) as well as medications, like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors as well as antidepressants, can help overcome their fears. Parents who suffer from this disorder can benefit from methods and training to strengthen their relationship with their child. Treatment Many children experience a period that makes them anxious and clingy to strangers, when this anxiety persists throughout the elementary years and beyond and is accompanied by physical symptoms, and interferes with daily functioning, it may be an indication of separation anxiety disorder. In fact, according to the BetterHelp online therapy service that separation anxiety disorder is the most prevalent anxiety disorder seen in children that affects up to 4% of them, with an age at onset of around 7 years. Your child's healthcare professional will conduct a thorough exam to determine if there are any physical issues that may be causing their anxiety. If no physical problems are discovered the healthcare provider of your child will refer them to a mental health professional with expertise in anxiety disorders. It could be a psychologist or child psychiatrist. Psychotherapy (also called talk therapy) is usually the first option for treating separation anxiety disorder. The therapy therapist will assist your child to teach them healthy ways to manage their feelings, increasing self-confidence and independence, and developing resilience. The therapist will also educate parents on how to assist their child and assist them cope with their anxiety. Separation anxiety disorder is usually treated by medication, for example antidepressants, such as selective serotoninin receptor inhibitors (SSRIs). The therapist will decide which treatment option is best for your child based upon their particular needs. Children with severe anxiety, for example might benefit from a mix of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) as well as exposure therapy. This is when your child is exposed to situations that cause anxiety gradually, in small steps, until they are comfortable with them. Often, children with separation anxiety disorder will improve as they age and their symptoms diminish. However, some adults may have symptoms of separation anxiety in their adulthood. It can be difficult for them maintain relationships or to pursue certain career goals, such as returning to college or moving to work. Adults who suffer from separation anxiety have a high percentage of co-occurring conditions, such as other anxiety disorders such as depression, phobias, post-traumatic stress disorder, and a range of addiction disorders. Prevention Separation anxiety is common in many children. For others, it can become an issue that causes problems with their lives and blocks them from participating in activities they enjoy. If your child's anxiety is disrupting their daily routines discuss it with a mental health professional. Children with separation anxiety disorder suffer extreme anxiety when they are separated from their parents or other major attachment figures. They have persistent fears about being snatched away, missing, or having an accident that will cause the loss of loved ones to them. They might have difficulty falling asleep at night or refusing to go to play dates, school or camp without parents. A child's separation anxiety symptoms must last for at least 4 weeks before a physician can diagnose the problem. Often, the healthcare provider will interview the child and parents separately to get an entire picture of the situation. They might ask questions about anxiety disorders or life changes, such as family history or life events that could trigger the separation anxiety. Treatment for separation anxiety disorder is dependent on the child's age and the severity of the symptoms. Children younger than 5 years old usually express their anxiety by expressing specific fears about harm to their family members, such as the fear that their parents could be injured in a car crash or be attacked by burglars. In contrast, older children with separation anxiety often deny they are anxious about leaving their home. Behavioral therapy is a common treatment for children with separation anxiety. It involves teaching relaxation techniques to children and helping them understand and manage their anxiety. In some instances, a mixture of treatments, such as cognitive therapy, is used. It's important for adults to be consistent in their responses to children's separation anxiety. Kids need to know that their pleas for parents to stay home aren't valid, and they'll only improve if they're given clear, precise boundaries and a lot of support while they work to overcome their fears.