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Children and Teens With Separation Anxiety Disorder Separation anxiety disorder affects adolescents and children who worry frequently when they are not from their parents, caregivers, or other important people. They may also worry about the possible negative effects of separation, for example, getting lost or being hurt. Psychotherapy and medications can be used to treat children suffering from separation anxiety disorder. Therapy involves teaching the child to manage fearful situations gradually, with reassurance and support. Signs and symptoms Although some anxiety about being apart from loved ones is normal separation anxiety disorder can cause people much more intensely anxious than others when it comes to separating from family members and primary caregiving figures. People suffering from this disorder are worried that their family member could suffer a tragic event when they are separated. This could mean getting lost or falling ill. They might also be afraid of other scenarios that could cause separation from their loved ones, such as being kidnapped or having a an accident with a car. This anxiety disorder can be experienced by adults at any age. It's not known what causes separation anxiety in adults however, it could be caused by major life changes or by prior mental health issues such as depression or PTSD. The sufferers of this disorder might feel overly dependent on children or their romantic partners, and have poor boundaries. Others may see them as overly clingy and demanding. The signs of this disorder include excessive distress when a person is separated from their family, significant distress when they are away from their home or at work and frequent nightmares about separation. These symptoms can cause people avoid travel or other activities that require physical separation from family members, like going back to school. Children who suffer from this condition may have difficulty sleeping or suffer from a range of physical issues, such as stomach pains or headaches, when they worry about being alone. A healthcare provider will ask you about your current and past symptoms or those of your child in order to diagnose separation anxiety. They will inquire about your family, and other relationships, to see how you've faced separation anxiety in the past. Talk therapy and, in a few instances, medications are used to treat this condition. Your therapist will instruct you and your children how to deal with the fear. They can also guide you deal with situations that scare you in a step-by-step process that can help your child understand how to deal with separations and build their confidence. Medications can help to calm the brain and relax the body, which can ease your child's anxiety. Diagnosis Separation anxiety disorder can cause individuals to feel intense stress when they are away from their home or relatives. In contrast to the normal anxiety and fear that most people feel, the symptoms of this disorder are persistent, often lasting longer than four weeks in children, and up to up to six months in adults. They create major disruptions to daily activities and performance at school and work. It can also impact the social life of a person and their ability to develop romantic relationships. To determine the cause of this disorder A mental health professional will interview the patient and observe the patient's behavior. The doctor will want to determine when the symptoms began and what makes them worse or better. Based on the age of the patient the mental health professional will also inquire about any recent events that could have caused stress and any past trauma. The doctor will also try to determine if the phobia is the result of a different medical condition that could cause similar symptoms, such as an illness, like cancer or a neurological issue, such as cerebral palsy or multiple-sclerosis. Other causes include childhood family adversities such as mental illness of the parents and domestic violence, abuse of substances and neglect and abuse of children. Diagnosis of separation anxiety disorder in adults is more difficult since there aren't any lab tests for the condition and it may share a number of symptoms with other fears. Separation anxiety disorder is more frequent for adults who have had an emotional trauma or a major loss. Some studies suggest that people who have been diagnosed with separation anxiety disorder in childhood are more likely to be suffering from anxiety and depression in adulthood. 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 treatment (CBT), or medications like selective serotonin receptor antagonists and antidepressants. People suffering from this disorder usually benefit from parent education and techniques 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 continues throughout the elementary school years, and is manifested by physical symptoms and impedes daily functioning. According to BetterHelp, an online therapy service for children the disorder of separation anxiety can affect up to 4% of children with a median age of 7 years. The doctor who treats your child will conduct an exhaustive exam to rule out physical issues that could be causing anxiety. If no physical issues are identified the doctor who treats your child will refer them to a mental health professional who has experience in anxiety disorders. This will likely be a child psychiatrist or 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, and build resilience. The therapist will educate parents on how they can assist their child who is suffering from anxiety. The use of medication, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are typically used in conjunction with psychotherapy for separation anxiety disorder. The therapist will determine the best treatment option for your child based on their individual needs. Children with severe anxiety, for example, may benefit from a mix of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and exposure therapy. This involves gradually exposing your child to the situations that cause anxiety over time in small steps until they are comfortable. Often, children with separation anxiety disorder improve as they get older, and their symptoms will diminish. However, some adults may have symptoms of separation anxiety in their adult life. It can be difficult to maintain relationships or to pursue certain career goals such as returning to school or moving to work. Adults who suffer from separation disorder are more likely to suffer from co-occurring disorders like depression, phobias, and post-traumatic disorder. Prevention For many children with separation anxiety, it's an inevitable part of the development process. For some, separation anxiety is a serious problem that can affect their lives and hinders their participation in the activities they enjoy. If your child's anxiety is disrupting their daily routines, talk to an expert in mental health. Separation anxiety disorder is a condition where children suffer from extreme anxiety when they are separated from their parents or other attachment figures. They are always worried about being snatched away or lost, or that an accident might cause them to lose the people closest to them. They may struggle to fall asleep at night or refusing to go to school, play dates or camp without their parents. The symptoms of separation anxiety in children must last for at least 4 weeks before a doctor can diagnose the problem. The healthcare provider may interview both the child and the parents separately to obtain the complete picture. They might also inquire about other anxiety disorders or family history, as well as changes in life that may have caused or made the separation anxiety worse. Treatment for anxiety disorder separation varies according to the age of the child and the severity of the symptoms. Children express their anxiety by worrying about their attachment figures. For instance they might worry that their parents are involved in a car accident or attacked by burglars. In contrast older children with separation anxiety often deny they are worried about leaving the house. Children who suffer from separation anxiety are often treated with behavioral therapy. It usually involves teaching children relaxation techniques and assisting them in learning to recognize and control their fears. In some cases it is necessary to combine treatments, such as cognitive therapy, is employed. Adults should be consistent in their responses to children experiencing anxiety over separation. Children need to be taught that their pleas for parents to stay home are not valid and they'll only improve if they're provided with clear, definite boundaries and a lot of support while they work to overcome their fears.