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Children and Teens With Separation Anxiety Disorder Children and adolescents with separation anxiety disorder are anxious about being apart from their caregivers, parents or other significant people in their lives. They might also be worried about a possible negative outcome of separation, for example, getting lost or injured. Psychotherapy and medications can be used to treat children suffering from separation anxiety disorder. The child is taught to tackle feared situations slowly, with confidence. Symptoms Separation anxiety disorder is more severe than normal anxiety when it comes to being separated from family members and primary caregivers. People with this condition are worried that something terrible could occur to their family member if they are separated, for example, being lost or getting sick. They might also be afraid of other scenarios that could cause separation from their loved ones, including being abducted or having an accident in a vehicle. The onset of this disorder usually occurs in childhood, though adults can develop it at any age. Adult separation anxiety is not thought to be caused by anything specific however it could be triggered by changes in life, depression, or PTSD. People who suffer from this condition can feel overly dependent on their spouses or children and display a lack of boundaries. Others may perceive them as being overly clingy or demanding. The signs of this disorder include extreme stress when a person is cut off from their family, severe distress when they are away from home or work and recurrent nightmares involving separation. These symptoms can cause people avoid travel or other activities that involve a physical separation from family members, like returning to school. Children who suffer from this condition may have difficulty sleeping or experience a variety of physical ailments like stomach pains or headaches, when they worry about being alone. To diagnose this disorder a healthcare provider will ask about your your child's past and present symptoms. They will ask you about your family and other relationships, to see how you've been able to manage separation anxiety before. Treatment for this disorder includes talk therapy and, in some instances, medication. Your therapist can teach you and your child how to manage their fears. They can also help you approach situations that are feared through a step-by-step method that can help your child understand how to deal with separations and build up their confidence. The use of medication can help calm the mind and relax the body, which can help ease your child's anxiety. Diagnosis Separation anxiety disorder can cause people to experience extreme distress if they are away from their home or other close family members. The symptoms of separation anxiety disorder are more persistent than normal anxiety and anxiety and. They can last up to six months for adults and four weeks in children. They cause significant disruptions in the daily routine at school, work, and home. It can also impact the person's social life and ability to develop romantic relationships. A mental health professional will interview and observe the patient's behavior in order to diagnose this disorder. The provider will ask when symptoms began and what triggers the symptoms to become worse or better. A mental health professional will ask about recent events and history of trauma dependent on the age of the patient. The doctor will also try to determine if the phobia is a result of another medical condition that could cause similar symptoms, for example an illness such as cancer or a neurological condition like cerebral palsy or multiple-sclerosis. Other causes are family adversities such as mental illness of the parents, domestic violence, abuse of substances and neglect and abuse of children. 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 frequent in adults who have experienced trauma or a significant loss. Certain studies suggest that those who have been diagnosed with separation anxiety disorder in their childhood are more likely to suffer from depression and anxiety disorders as they age. Separation anxiety disorder can be treated in a variety of ways. Therapy like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) as well as medication, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors as well as antidepressants, can help overcome their fears. Parents with this disorder can benefit from techniques and training to strengthen their relationship with their child. Treatment Separation anxiety disorder is diagnosed when children's fear of strangers and clinginess persists throughout elementary school, and is associated with physical symptoms and interferes in everyday functioning. According to the BetterHelp online therapy service the disorder of separation anxiety is the most frequent anxiety disorder seen in children with up to 4 percent of them with a onset age of about 7 years. Your child's doctor will conduct an exhaustive exam to rule out physical issues that could be causing anxiety. If no physical issues are identified the healthcare provider of your child will refer them to a mental health professional who has expertise in anxiety disorders. For children it will likely be a psychiatrist or child psychologist. Psychotherapy (also called talk therapy) is typically the first treatment for separation anxiety disorder. The therapy therapist will work with your child to help them learn healthy ways of managing their feelings, increasing confidence in themselves and their independence, and building their resilience. The therapist will instruct parents on ways they can help their child with anxiety. The use of medication, like selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are typically used in conjunction with psychotherapy for separation anxiety disorder. The therapist will decide the best treatment option for your child based on their individual needs. For example, children with severe anxiety may benefit from a combination of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and exposure therapy. This involves gradually expose your child to situations that cause anxiety over time in a series of small steps until they feel comfortable. As children age their symptoms typically decrease. However, some adults may continue to have symptoms of separation anxiety throughout their adult lives. This makes it difficult for them to keep relationships or achieve certain career goals, such as returning to school or moving for work. Adults suffering from separation anxiety disorder have a high percentage of co-occurring disorders, including other types of anxiety disorders such as depression and phobias, post-traumatic stress disorder, and a range of addiction disorders. Prevention For many children with separation anxiety, it's an inevitable part of the development process. But for others it can be an issue that causes problems with their lives and blocks them from taking part in activities they enjoy. If your child's anxiety is disrupting their daily routines consult an expert in mental health. Children suffering from separation anxiety disorder suffer extreme stress when they are separated from their parents or other major relationships. They have persistent fears about being lost, kidnapped, or having an accident that will result in the loss of those closest to them. They may be having a difficult time falling asleep alone at night or they may refuse to go to school, camp, or play dates without their parents. The signs of separation anxiety in children must last for at least 4 weeks before a doctor will determine the cause. Most often, the healthcare professional will interview the child and their parents separately to get a full picture of the situation. They may also ask questions regarding other anxiety disorders or life changes such as family history or life events that might have triggered the separation anxiety. Treatment for anxiety disorder separation varies according to the age of the child and the severity of the symptoms. Younger children typically express their anxiety through specific concerns about harm to their attachment figures for example, a fear that their parents could be injured in a car crash or be attacked by an intruder. In contrast older children who suffer from separation anxiety often deny they are worried about leaving their home. Children who have anxiety about separation are usually treated with behavioral therapy. It usually involves teaching children relaxation techniques and helping them learn to recognize and manage their anxieties. In some cases there is a mix of treatments, such as cognitive therapy, is used. Adults should be consistent with their responses to children experiencing separation anxiety. Children need to understand that their pleas to parents not to leave them are not valid. They will only improve if they receive clear, firm boundaries, and assistance in overcoming their fears.