It's The Anxiety Disorder Separation Case Study You'll Never Forget
Children and Teens With Separation Anxiety Disorder Children and adolescents suffering from separation anxiety disorder worry excessively about being apart from their caregivers, parents or other significant people in their lives. They might also be concerned that separation could have negative consequences, such as being hurt or lost. Children with separation anxiety disorders are treated through therapy and medication. Therapy involves teaching the child to approach feared situations gradually with encouragement and support. Signs and symptoms While some anxiety about being away from loved ones is normal separation anxiety disorder can cause people much more intensely anxious than other people when it comes to separating from family members and primary caregiver figures. People with this condition are worried that something tragic will occur to their family member when they are separated, for example, losing their way or falling ill. They may also be fearful of other situations that could separate them from their loved ones, for example, being kidnapped or getting into a a car accident. This anxiety disorder can affect people at any age. Adult separation anxiety is not known to be caused by any specific factor however it could be triggered by life changes, depression, or PTSD. The people who suffer from this condition may be overly dependent on their children or romantic partners and display a lack of boundaries. Some may see them as too demanding or clingy. This condition is characterized by excessive anxiety when a person is separated from family, significant distress when away from home or at work, and recurrent dreams involving 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 experience physical problems such as stomach pains when they worry about being left alone. To determine the severity of this disorder, medical professionals will inquire about your your child's past and current symptoms. They will ask you about your family and other relationships, to see how you've dealt with separation anxiety before. Treatment for this disorder includes therapy for talk and, in certain cases medications. Your therapist can teach you and your child methods to deal with their fears. They can assist you and your child to learn to manage separations in a step by step process. The medications can calm the brain, relax the body and help ease your child's fears. Diagnosis Separation anxiety disorder can cause a person to feel extreme stress when they are away from their home or close relatives. The symptoms of separation anxiety are more persistent than normal anxiety and fear. They can last for up to six months in adults and four weeks in children. They can cause major disruptions to daily life as well as school and work. The condition can also interfere with a person's ability to form romantic relationships and socialize. A mental health professional will interview and examine the patient's behavior to determine the cause of the disorder. The provider will want to know when the symptoms started and what causes them to become worse or better. Based on panic anxiety disorder of the patient, a mental health professional will also inquire about recent events that might be causing stress, as well as any previous trauma history. The doctor will also try to determine whether the fear is the result of a different medical condition that may cause similar symptoms, such as an illness, like cancer or a neurological disorder, such as multiple sclerosis or cerebral palsy. Other causes include childhood family traumas like mental illness of the parents and domestic violence, substance abuse and child abuse and neglect. 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. A person who develops a separation anxiety disorder in adulthood usually does so after experiencing a traumatic event or significant loss. There are studies that suggest that those who were 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 various ways. Individuals suffering from separation anxiety can overcome their phobia through therapy, such a cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or prescription medications such as selective serotonin receptor antagonists and antidepressants. People with this disorder often benefit from parental education and techniques to improve the quality of their relationship with their children. Treatment Separation anxiety disorder is diagnosed when a child's fear of strangers and clinginess persists throughout elementary school, is manifested by physical symptoms and impedes daily functioning. In fact, according to the BetterHelp online therapy service the disorder of separation anxiety is the most frequent anxiety disorder seen in children, affecting up to 4 percent of them with an onset age of about 7 years. Your child's doctor will perform an exhaustive exam to rule out physical issues that could be causing anxiety. If no physical ailments are found then the healthcare provider for your child will refer them to an expert in anxiety disorders. For children who are ill, this could be a psychiatrist or child psychologist. Psychotherapy (also known as talk therapy) is often the first treatment for separation anxiety disorder. The therapist will help your child learn how to manage their emotions and increase self-confidence and independence, as well as build resilience. The therapist will educate parents on ways they can aid their child suffering from anxiety. Separation anxiety disorder is usually treated by medication, for example antidepressants, such as selective serotoninin receptor inhibitors (SSRIs). The therapist will decide the best treatment option for your child based upon their particular needs. For instance, children suffering from severe anxiety might benefit from a combination of cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) and exposure therapy. This involves exposing your child to situations that trigger their anxiety gradually over time by introducing them in small increments until they feel comfortable with them. As children age, their symptoms usually decrease. However, some adults may suffer from symptoms of separation disorder throughout their adult lives. This makes it difficult to maintain relationships or achieve certain career goals, like returning to school or relocating to work. Adults with separation disorder are more likely to have co-occurring disorders such as depression, phobias, and post-traumatic disorder. Prevention For many children who are anxious about separation, it is a normal part of development. For others, separation anxiety can be a serious issue that interferes in their lives and prevents participation in activities they enjoy. Talk to a mental health professional if your child's fear is affecting their daily routine. Children suffering from separation anxiety disorder suffer extreme anxiety when they are separated from their parents or other important attachment figures. They have persistent fears about being snatched away, missing, or experiencing an accident that could cause the loss of people who are close to them. They may struggle to fall asleep at night or refusing to go to play dates, school or camp without their parents. The signs of separation anxiety in children must last at least four weeks before a doctor will determine the cause. The healthcare professional may interview both the child and parents separately to obtain the complete picture. They may ask about anxiety disorders that are not related to separation anxiety or family history, as well as life events that could have caused or made the separation anxiety more severe. Treatment for separation anxiety is determined by the child's age and the severity of the symptoms. Children express their anxiety by worrying about their attachment figures. For example, they may worry that their parents are in a car crash or be attacked by burglars. Separation anxiety in older children is usually ignored by them. Children with separation anxiety are often treated with behavioral therapy. It usually involves teaching children relaxation techniques and teaching them to recognize and control their fears. In some instances it is necessary to combine treatments is employed, such as medication and cognitive therapy. Adults should be consistent with their responses to children who are experiencing anxiety over separation. Kids need to know that their pleas to parents to not leave are not valid and they will only get better if they're provided with clear, definite boundaries and a lot of support while they work to overcome their fears.