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Children and Teens With Separation Anxiety Disorder Separation anxiety disorder affects children and adolescents who fret overly when they are away from their caregivers, parents or other important people. They may also worry about the possible negative effects of separation, such as getting lost or hurt. Children with separation anxiety disorder are treated through psychotherapy and medications. Therapy includes teaching the child to manage fearful situations gradually by providing reassurance and encouragement. Signs and symptoms Although some anxiety about being away from loved ones is normal separation anxiety disorder can cause people more anxious than other people when it comes to separating from family members and primary caregiver figures. People suffering from this disorder are concerned that something terrible could happen to their family member while they are separated, such as being lost or getting sick. They may also fear other situations that can separate them from their loved ones, such as being abducted or being involved in an accident. The first signs of this anxiety disorder typically occurs in the earliest years of life, however adults can develop it at any time. Adult separation anxiety is not thought to be caused by a specific cause, but it may be triggered by changes in life such as depression, depression, or PTSD. People who suffer from this condition may be overly dependent on their children or romantic partners and have trouble establishing boundaries. Some may view them as overly demanding and clingy. Symptoms of this condition include a high level of distress when someone is separated from their family members, severe anxiety when they are away from work or home and frequent nightmares about separation. These symptoms can make people avoid travel or other activities that require physical separation from family members, like returning to school. Children who suffer from this condition may have difficulty sleeping or may experience a variety of physical issues like headaches or stomachaches, when they worry about being left alone. A healthcare provider will ask you about your current and past symptoms, or those of your child to diagnose separation anxiety. They will inquire about your family and other relationships, to determine how you've dealt with separation anxiety before. Treatment for this disorder consists of therapy for talk and, in some instances medications. generalized anxiety disorder can teach you and your child ways to deal with their fears. They can assist you and your child learn how to deal with separations in a step by steps. Medications can help to calm the mind and relax the body, which can help ease your child's anxiety. Diagnosis Separation anxiety disorder can cause individuals to feel intense distress if they are away from their home or other close family members. Unlike normal fear and worry that people generally experience, the symptoms of this disorder are persistent, often lasting longer than four weeks for children and six months or longer for adults. They cause major disruption to daily life and function at work and school. The condition can also hinder with a person's ability to establish romantic relationships and socialize. A mental health professional will interview and observe the patient's behavior to diagnose this disorder. The doctor will inquire about when symptoms first started and what causes them to get worse or improve. Depending on the individual's age, a mental health professional may also ask about any recent events that may have caused stress, as well as any previous trauma history. The doctor will also attempt to determine whether the phobia is a result of another medical condition that could cause similar symptoms, like an illness such as cancer or a neurological condition like cerebral palsy or multiple sclerosis. Other possible causes are family-related adversities that affect children like parental mental illness, addiction to drugs domestic violence, child abuse and neglect, as well as exposure to traumatic events, such as natural catastrophes and sexual assault, war, or the loss of a loved one. The diagnosis of separation anxiety disorder in adults is more difficult because there aren't any laboratory tests for the condition, and it can share many symptoms with other fears. Someone who develops a separation anxiety disorder in adulthood usually does so after experiencing an event that was traumatic or a major loss. Certain studies suggest that those who have been diagnosed with separation anxiety disorder in childhood are more likely to suffer from anxiety and depression in adulthood. Separation anxiety disorder can be treated in a variety of ways. Treatment such as cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) as well as medication, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors as well as antidepressants, can help overcome their fears. People suffering from this disorder usually benefit from parental education and methods to improve their relationship with their children. Treatment Separation anxiety disorder may be diagnosed when the child's fear of being around strangers and clinginess is persistent throughout elementary school, and is associated with physical symptoms, and affects daily functioning. According to BetterHelp an online therapy service for children the disorder of separation anxiety is a problem that affects as many as 4% of children and has a median age of 7 years. Your child's doctor will perform an extensive exam to rule out physical problems that could cause anxiety. If no physical problems are discovered then the healthcare provider for your child will refer them to an expert in anxiety disorders. For children, this will most likely be a child psychologist or psychiatrist. Psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy, is usually the first course of treatment for separation anxiety disorder. The Therapist will assist your child to help them learn healthy ways of managing their emotions, boosting self-confidence and independence, and building resilience. The therapist will also train parents on how they can help their child and aid them deal with their anxiety. Medication, including antidepressants such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are often used in conjunction with psychotherapy for separation anxiety disorder. Based on the specific needs of your child's requirements, their therapist will determine which treatment options are best for the child. 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 cause anxiety gradually over time in small steps until they are comfortable with them. Often, children with separation anxiety disorder will improve as they grow older and their symptoms decrease. However, some adults could continue to have symptoms of separation anxiety throughout their adult lives. This could make it difficult for them to keep relationships or achieve certain career goals, like returning to school or relocating for work. Adults suffering from separation anxiety disorder have a high percentage of co-occurring conditions like other types of anxiety disorders depression and phobias, post-traumatic stress disorder, and a range of substance use disorders. Prevention Separation anxiety is common among many children. For others, anxiety over separation can be a serious issue that can affect their lives and hinders their participation in activities they enjoy. If your child's fears are disrupting their daily routines, talk to a mental health professional. Children with separation anxiety disorder suffer extreme anxiety when they are separated from their parents or other significant family members. They are always worried about being abducted, lost, or experiencing an accident that could result in the loss of people who are close to them. They may have trouble falling asleep at night or refuse to go to school, play dates or camp without parents. A child's separation anxiety symptoms must last at least four weeks before a doctor will diagnose the problem. The healthcare provider may interview both the child and parents separately to get the full picture. They may ask about any other anxiety disorders or family history as well as changes in life that may have caused or made the separation anxiety more severe. Treatment for anxiety disorder separation varies by the child's age and the severity of the symptoms. Children express their anxiety through worrying about their attachment figures. For instance they might worry that their parents are in a car crash or attacked by burglars. In contrast, older children with separation anxiety often deny they are worried about leaving their home. Children with separation anxiety are usually treated with behavioral therapy. It typically involves teaching children relaxation techniques and helping them learn to recognize and manage their anxieties. In some cases there is a mix of therapies, including cognitive therapy, is used. Adults should be consistent in their responses to children who are experiencing separation anxiety. Children need to understand that their parents' pleas not to leave them are not valid. They will only improve when they are given clear, definite boundaries and support in overcoming their fears.