anxiety-disorders

Children and Teens With Separation Anxiety DisorderSeparation anxiety disorder is a problem that affects children and adolescents who worry frequently when they are not from their caregivers, parents or other important people. They might also be concerned that separation could result in negative consequences, for example, being hurt or lost.Psychotherapy and medication are a great option to treat children suffering from separation anxiety disorders. The child is taught to tackle feared situations slowly, with reassurance.Signs and symptomsWhile some anxiety over being separated from loved ones is normal, separation anxiety disorder makes people more anxious than others when it comes to separating from family members and primary caregiver figures. People with this condition fear that their family member will suffer a tragic event when they are separated. This could mean that they get lost or becoming sick. They may also fear other scenarios that could separate them from their loved ones, such as being abducted or being involved in an accident.This anxiety disorder can be experienced by adults at any age. Adult separation anxiety is not known to be caused by any specific factor however it can be triggered by changes in life, depression, or PTSD. People who suffer from this condition can feel overly dependent on their children or their romantic partners and display a lack of boundaries. Others may see them as being too clingy and demanding.Symptoms of this condition include extreme stress when a person is separated from their family members, severe distress when they’re away from home or work and recurrent nightmares involving separation. These symptoms can cause people avoid travel or other activities that require physical separation from family members, like returning to school. Children suffering from this condition could suffer physical issues like stomach pains when they worry about being on their own.To diagnose this disorder the healthcare professional will inquire about your your child’s previous and current symptoms. They will also ask you about your family and other relationships to determine how you have faced separation anxiety in the past.Talk therapy and, in some instances, medication are used to treat this condition. Your therapist will teach you and your child ways to deal with their fears. They can assist you and your child to learn to manage separations in a step by steps. The medication can relax the brain, relax the body and help ease your child’s fears.DiagnosisA person suffering from separation anxiety is likely to experience extreme anxiety when they are away from their home or close attachment figures. The symptoms of separation anxiety are more persistent than normal anxiety and anxiety and. They can last up to six months for adults and for up to four weeks in children. They can cause major disruptions to daily life at school, work, and home. The condition can also interfere with a person’s ability establish romantic relationships and socialize.To determine if this disorder is present A mental health professional will interview the patient and observe the patient’s behavior. The doctor will inquire about when symptoms started and what triggers the symptoms to become worse or better. Depending on the person’s age an expert in mental health may also ask about any recent events that may have caused stress, as well as any previous trauma history.The doctor will also determine whether there is a medical condition that may cause similar symptoms. This may be an illness such as cancer, or an underlying neurological disorder, such as cerebral palsy or multiple sclerosis. Other causes include family problems like parental mental illnesses or substance abuse, domestic violence and child neglect and abuse.Diagnosis of separation anxiety disorder in adults is more difficult, because there aren’t any laboratory tests for the condition and it may have a variety of symptoms with other fears. Separation anxiety disorder is more common in adults who have experienced a traumatic experience or significant loss. Some studies suggest that people who suffer from separation disorders in their early years may be more likely to develop anxiety and depression disorders later in life.Separation anxiety disorder can be treated in a variety of ways. People suffering from separation anxiety disorder can overcome their fear with therapy, such a cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), or medications like selective serotonin receptor antagonists and antidepressants. People suffering from this disorder typically benefit from education for parents and methods to improve the quality of their relationship with their children.TreatmentWhile many children go through a stage where they are clingy and fearful of strangers, when this anxiety persists through elementary school and beyond, is manifested as physical symptoms and causes problems with daily activities, it may be an indication of separation anxiety disorder. According to BetterHelp, an online therapy service for children that treat separation anxiety disorder, it can affect up to 4% of children with an average age of 7 years.Your child’s doctor will perform an exhaustive exam to rule out physical ailments that could be causing anxiety. If no physical problems are discovered the doctor who treats your child will refer them to an expert in mental health who has experience in anxiety disorders. For children, this will most likely be a psychiatrist or child psychologist.Psychotherapy, also referred to as talk therapy, is usually the first course of treatment for separation anxiety disorder. The Therapist will work with your child to help them develop healthy ways of managing their emotions, building self-confidence and independence, and building their resilience. The therapist will also train parents on how to help their child and aid them deal with their anxiety. Separation anxiety disorder is usually treated with medication, such as antidepressants such as selective serotoninin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).Based on the specific needs of your child’s needs, their therapist will determine which treatment options are best for their specific needs. For instance, children suffering from severe anxiety may benefit from a combination of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and exposure therapy. This involves gradually exposing your child to the situations that trigger anxiety over time in a series of small steps until they become comfortable.Often, children with separation anxiety disorder will improve as they age and their symptoms decrease. There are some adults who suffer from symptoms of separation disorder throughout their adult lives. It can be challenging to keep relationships going or to achieve certain career goals, such as returning to college or going to work. Adults who suffer from separation disorder are more likely to develop co-occurring disorders like depression, phobias, and post-traumatic disorder.PreventionFor many children with separation anxiety, it’s an expected part of developing. For some, separation anxiety can be a major issue that affects their lives and prevents participation in the activities they enjoy. Speak to a mental healthcare specialist if your child’s fear affects their daily routine.Children suffering from separation anxiety disorder suffer extreme stress when they are separated from their parents or other major attachment figures. They are constantly worried about being abducted, lost, or experiencing an accident that could result in the loss of people who are close to them. They may also have a hard time sleeping at night on their own or they may refuse to go to school, camp, or play dates without their parents.Doctors are not able to diagnose separation anxiety until the signs of a child have lasted at minimum four weeks. The healthcare provider may interview both the child and parents individually to get the full picture. They may ask 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.mixed anxiety disorder for anxiety disorder separation varies depending on the child’s age and the severity of the symptoms. Children express their anxiety by worrying about their attachment figures. For instance they might be worried that their parents are involved in a car accident or be attacked by a burglar. Separation anxiety in older children is frequently ignored by them.Children with separation anxiety are often treated using behavioral therapy. It involves teaching relaxation techniques to children and helping them understand and manage their anxiety. In some cases, a combination of treatments is employed, including medication and cognitive therapy.It’s important for adults to be consistent in their responses to children’s anxiety about separation. Kids need to know that their pleas to parents to not leave are not valid, and they’ll only improve if given clear, precise boundaries and a helping hand as they try to overcome their fears.