How To Explain Anxiety Disorder Separation To Your Mom

Children and Teens With Separation Anxiety Disorder Children and adolescents who suffer from separation anxiety disorder have a tendency to worry about being away from their caregivers, parents or other important people in their lives. They might also be worried about the negative consequences of separation, for example, being lost or getting injured. Psychotherapy and medication are a great option to treat children suffering from separation anxiety disorders. The child is taught to handle difficult situations slowly, with reassurance. Symptoms Although some anxiety about being away from loved ones is normal separation anxiety disorder causes people more anxious than others when it comes to being separated from family members and primary caregiving figures. People suffering from this disorder are worried that their loved ones will suffer a tragic event when they are separated. This could include getting lost or falling ill. They may also fear other situations that can separate them from their loved ones such as being abducted or being involved in a car accident. The onset of this disorder typically begins in the early years of childhood, but adults can be affected at any age. It's not known what causes separation anxiety in adults however, it could be caused by major life changes or previous mental health disorders, such as depression or PTSD. People with this condition may feel a lot dependent on children or romantic partners, and lack boundaries. Others may see them as excessively clingy and demanding. Symptoms of this condition include a high level of distress when someone is separated from their family, significant distress when they're away from their home or at work and recurrent nightmares involving separation. These symptoms can cause people to avoid traveling or other activities that entail a physical separation from their families, such as going to school. Children who suffer from this condition may have trouble sleeping or may experience a variety of physical issues including headaches or stomachaches, in the event of anxiety about being alone. To determine the severity of this disorder, medical professionals will inquire about your or your child's past and current symptoms. They will also ask you about your family and other relationships to see how you have dealt with separation anxiety in the past. Talk therapy and, in certain instances, medications are used to treat this condition. Your therapist will show you and your children how to cope with the anxiety. They can also guide you deal with situations that scare you through a step-by-step method that helps your child learn how to deal with separations and build their confidence. panic anxiety disorder can help calm the brain and body, as well as ease your child's anxieties. Diagnosis Separation anxiety disorder causes individuals to feel intense distress if they are away from their home or relatives. In contrast to the normal anxiety and fear that most people suffer from, the symptoms of this disorder are persistent, often lasting more than four weeks in children, and up to six months or longer for adults. They create major disruptions to daily life and function at school and work. The condition can also interfere with a person's ability to create romantic relationships and socialize. To diagnose this disorder, a mental health professional will interview the patient and observe the patient's behavior. The doctor will want to determine when the symptoms began and what makes them worse or better. A mental health professional will ask about recent events and trauma history dependent on the age of the patient. The doctor will also determine if there is another medical condition that could cause similar symptoms. This may be due to an illness like cancer, or a neurological disorder like multiple sclerosis or cerebral palsy. Other causes include family adversities such as mental illness of the parents, domestic violence, substance abuse and child neglect and abuse. The diagnosis of separation anxiety disorder in adults is more difficult, since there aren't any lab tests for the condition and it may have a variety of symptoms with other anxiety disorders. Separation anxiety disorder is more common among adults who have suffered a traumatic experience or significant loss. Some studies suggest that people who were diagnosed with separation anxiety disorder in their childhood are more likely to be suffering from depression and anxiety disorders as they age. Separation anxiety disorder can be treated in various ways. Individuals suffering from separation anxiety can overcome their fear with therapy, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), or medications like selective serotonin antagonists and antidepressants. People suffering from this disorder usually benefit from parent education and methods to improve the quality of their relationship with their children. Treatment Although many children go through a phase when they become terrified of strangers and clingy If this fear persists into elementary school and beyond and is manifested as physical symptoms and affects daily functioning, it may be a sign of separation anxiety disorder. According to BetterHelp, an online therapy service for children, separation anxiety disorder affects up to 4% and has a median age of 7 years. The healthcare provider for your child will perform a thorough exam to rule out any physical problems that could be causing anxiety. If no physical issues are found the healthcare professional for your child will refer them to an anxiety disorder specialist. This could be a psychologist or child psychiatrist. Psychotherapy (also known as talk therapy) is typically the first option for treating separation anxiety disorder. The therapist will work with your child to teach them healthy ways to manage their feelings, increasing confidence in themselves and their independence, and developing resilience. The therapist will instruct parents on ways they can assist their child who is suffering from anxiety. Treatment, such as antidepressants like selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), is often used in conjunction with psychotherapy for separation anxiety disorder. Depending on your child's specific needs, the therapy therapist will determine which options are best for their specific needs. For instance, children who suffer from severe anxiety might benefit from a combination of cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) and exposure therapy. This involves gradually expose your child to situations that cause anxiety over time in small steps until they become comfortable. Typically, children suffering from separation anxiety disorder improve as they age and their symptoms decrease. However, some adults might continue to have symptoms of separation anxiety disorder throughout their adult lives. It can be challenging to keep relationships going or to achieve certain career goals such as returning to school or moving to work. Adults suffering from separation disorder are more likely to have co-occurring disorders such as depression, phobias, or post-traumatic disorder. Prevention For many children who are anxious about separation, it is a normal part of development. For others, it can become a serious problem that interferes with their lives and blocks them from engaging in activities they like. If your child's anxiety is disrupting their daily routines discuss it with an expert in mental health. Separation anxiety disorder is a condition where children experience severe distress when separated from parents or other attachment figures. They are constantly worried about being kidnapped, or lost, or that an accident could result in the loss of those closest to them. They may also have trouble sleeping on their own at night, or they might refuse to go to school, camp or play dates with their parents. The signs of separation anxiety in children must last for at least 4 weeks before a physician can determine the cause. The healthcare professional may interview both the child and parents individually to get the full picture. They may 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 more severe. Treatment for separation anxiety is determined according to 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 could be involved in a car accident or attacked by a burglar. Separation anxiety in older children is frequently denied by them. Behavioral therapy is a popular treatment for children with separation anxiety. It involves teaching relaxation techniques to children and assisting them to identify and manage their anxiety. In some instances it is necessary to combine therapies is used, including cognitive therapy and medication. It's crucial for adults to be consistent in their responses to children's anxiety about separation. Children need to be aware that their pleas to parents not to leave them are not valid. They will only improve when they are given clear, firm boundaries, and assistance in overcoming their fears.