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Children and Teens With Separation Anxiety Disorder Separation anxiety disorders affect children and adolescents who worry overly when they are away from their parents, caregivers or other important people. They might also worry about the negative consequences of separation, like being lost or getting injured. Psychotherapy and medications can be used to treat children with separation anxiety disorder. Therapy includes teaching the child to manage fearful situations gradually with encouragement and support. Signs and symptoms While some anxiety over being away from loved ones is normal separation anxiety disorder causes people much more intensely anxious than other people when it comes to the separation from family members and primary caregiver figures. People with this condition are worried that something terrible could happen to their family member when they are separated, such as being lost or getting sick. They might also be scared of other scenarios that could make them separated from their loved one, such as being kidnapped or having a an accident in a vehicle. The first signs of this anxiety disorder usually occurs in the early years of childhood, but adults can develop it at any age. It's unclear what causes separation anxiety in adults however, it could be triggered by significant life changes or previous mental health disorders, such as depression or PTSD. People suffering from this disorder may feel overly dependent on children or their romantic partners, and may lack boundaries. Others may view them as too clingy or demanding. This condition is characterized by excessive distress when one is cut off from their family, a significant amount of distress when away from home or at work, and recurrent dreams of separation. These symptoms can cause people to avoid travel or other activities that involve the physical separation of their families, such as going to school. Children with this condition may have trouble sleeping or experience a variety of physical problems like headaches or stomach pains in the event of anxiety about being left alone. To diagnose this disorder a healthcare provider will ask about your or your child's previous and current symptoms. They will ask you about your family, and other relationships, to determine how you've been able to manage separation anxiety before. Talk therapy and, in certain instances, medications are used to treat this condition. Your therapist will instruct you and your children how to deal with the anxiety. They can assist you and your child to understand how to handle separations in a step by procedure. The medicines can help calm the brain and body, as well as reduce your child's anxiety. Diagnosis A person suffering from separation anxiety is likely to experience extreme anxiety when they are away from their the home or close family members. The symptoms of separation anxiety disorder can be more severe than normal anxiety and anxiety and. They can last for up to six months for adults and up to four weeks in children. They cause significant disruptions in the daily routine at school, work, and home. The condition can also interfere with a person's ability to create romantic relationships and socialize. A mental health professional will interview and observe the patient's behavior in order to diagnose the disorder. The provider will want to determine when the symptoms began and what makes them more or less severe. 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 past trauma. The doctor will also attempt to determine whether the phobia is the result of a different medical condition that could cause similar symptoms, for example an illness, such as cancer or a neurological condition such as multiple sclerosis or cerebral palsy. Other possible causes include familial adversities in childhood such as mental illness, addiction to drugs or domestic violence, child abuse and neglect, as well as exposure to traumatic events, such as natural catastrophes and sexual assault, war or the death of loved ones. Diagnosis of separation anxiety disorder in adults is more difficult, as there are no lab tests for the condition and it may have a variety of symptoms with other anxiety disorders. Separation anxiety disorder is more common for adults who have had a traumatic experience or significant loss. Certain studies suggest that those who were diagnosed with separation anxiety disorder in their childhood are more likely to be suffering from depression and anxiety disorders in adulthood. Separation anxiety disorder can be treated in many ways. Therapies like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and medications, like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and antidepressants, can assist people to overcome the phobia. Parents who suffer from this disorder can benefit from strategies and education to improve their relationship with their child. Treatment Many children go through a phase that makes them anxious and clingy to strangers, when this anxiety persists through the elementary years and beyond, is manifested as physical symptoms and affects daily functioning it could be an indication 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 rule out any physical problems that could be causing anxiety. If no physical ailments are found, the healthcare provider for your child will refer them to an anxiety disorder specialist. For children who are ill, this could be a child psychologist or psychiatrist. Psychotherapy (also known as talk therapy) is often the first option for treating separation anxiety disorder. The therapist will help your child learn healthy ways to manage their feelings to increase self-confidence, confidence, independence, and build resilience. The therapist will also instruct parents on how to assist their child and assist them with their anxiety. Separation anxiety disorder is often treated by medication, for example antidepressants like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Based on your child's individual requirements, their therapist will determine which treatment options are best for the child. Children with severe anxiety, like could benefit from a combination of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and exposure therapy. This means gradually exposing your child to the situations that cause anxiety in small steps until they become comfortable. Often, children with separation anxiety disorder improve as they get older and their symptoms decrease. Some adults may still suffer from symptoms of separation disorder in their adulthood. It can be difficult to keep relationships going or to achieve certain career goals such as returning to college or going to work. Adults with separation disorder are more likely to have co-occurring disorders like depression, phobias, and post-traumatic disorder. The following is a list of preventatives. For many children, separation anxiety is a normal part of development. For some, separation anxiety can be a serious issue that can affect their lives and hinders their participation in activities they enjoy. If your child's anxiety is disrupting their routine discuss it with an expert in mental health. Separation anxiety disorder is a disorder in which children experience extreme distress when separated from parents or other figures of attachment. They are constantly worried about being abducted, lost or experiencing an accident that could result in the loss of loved ones to them. They may struggle to fall asleep at night or refusing to go to play dates, school or camp without their parents. Doctors do not diagnose separation anxiety until the signs of a child last at minimum four weeks. The healthcare provider may interview both the child as well as the parents in a separate session to gather the complete 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 caused or made separation anxiety worse. Treatment for separation anxiety disorder is dependent on the age of the child, and the severity of symptoms. disorders anxiety who are younger typically express their anxiety by expressing specific fears about harm to their loved ones, such as the fear that their parents will get in a car accident or be attacked by an intruder. By panic anxiety disorder with separation anxiety typically deny that they are worried about leaving the house. Children who have anxiety about separation are often treated with behavioral therapy. It usually involves teaching children relaxation techniques and teaching them to recognize and manage their fears. In some instances there is a mix of therapies, including cognitive therapy, is utilized. It is crucial for adults to be consistent in their responses to children's separation anxiety. Children need to be aware that their pleas to parents not to leave them not valid. They can only grow if they receive clear, unambiguous boundaries and help in overcoming their fears.