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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 important people in their lives. They may also worry that being separated could have negative consequences, for example, being lost or hurt. Children suffering from separation anxiety can get treatment through therapy and medication. The child is taught to approach feared situations slowly, with reassurance. Signs and symptoms While some anxiety over being apart from loved ones is normal separation anxiety disorder causes people much more intensely anxious than other people when it comes to the separation from family members and primary caregiver figures. People who suffer from this condition are worried that something tragic will occur to their family member if they are separated, such as being lost or getting sick. They might also be scared of other situations that could make them separated from their loved ones, such as being kidnapped or having a an accident with a car. The first signs of this anxiety disorder typically begins in childhood, though adults can be affected at any time. Adult separation anxiety is not thought to be caused by any specific factor however it can be caused by life changes, depression, or PTSD. The sufferers of this disorder might feel a lot dependent on children or their romantic partners, and lack boundaries. Others can view them as being too demanding and clingy. The symptoms of this condition include extreme stress when a person is separated from their family, severe distress when they are away from work or home and frequent nightmares of separation. These symptoms can cause people to avoid traveling or other activities that involve a physical separation from family members, like going back to school. Children with this condition may have physical issues, like stomach pains when they are worried about being on their own. A healthcare provider will ask you about your previous and current symptoms, or those of your child to determine the cause of separation anxiety. They will inquire 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 medications. Your therapist will instruct you and your children how to cope with the anxiety. They can assist you and your child to understand how to handle separations through a step by steps. The medication can relax the brain and relax the body to ease your child's anxieties. Diagnosis A person suffering from separation anxiety will experience extreme stress when apart from home or close attachment figures. Contrary to the normal fears and anxieties that most people suffer from, the symptoms of this disorder can be persistent, typically lasting for more than four weeks for children, and up to up to six months in adults, and they can cause significant disruption to the daily routine and functioning at school and work. The condition can also hinder with a person's ability form romantic relationships and socialize. A mental health professional will interview and observe the patient's behavior to diagnose this disorder. The healthcare provider will want know when the symptoms started and what causes them to become worse or better. A mental health professional will ask about recent events and trauma history in relation to the age of the person. The provider will also determine whether there is a medical condition that could cause similar symptoms. This could be a condition such as cancer or a neurological disorder such as multiple sclerosis or cerebral palsy. Other possible causes are family-related adversities that affect children, such as parental mental illness, substance abuse domestic violence, child abuse and neglect, and exposure to traumatizing events such as natural disasters or sexual assault, war, or the death of loved ones. Diagnosis of separation anxiety disorder in adults is more difficult since there aren't any lab tests for the condition and it can share many symptoms with other phobias. A person who develops a separation anxiety disorder in adulthood usually experiences it after trauma or a significant loss. Certain studies suggest that those who have been diagnosed with separation anxiety disorder in childhood are more likely to be suffering from depression and anxiety disorders as they age. Separation anxiety disorder can be treated in a variety of ways. People with separation anxiety disorder can overcome their phobia through therapy, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), or medications such as selective serotonin receptor antagonists and antidepressants. Parents who suffer from this disorder can benefit from methods and training to strengthen their relationship with their child. Treatment Separation anxiety disorder can be diagnosed when the child's fear of being around strangers and clinginess continues throughout elementary school, and is manifested by physical symptoms and impedes daily activities. According to disorders anxiety , an online therapy service for children that treat separation anxiety disorder, it affects up to 4% with a median age of 7 years. The doctor who treats your child will conduct an exhaustive exam to rule out physical problems that could be causing anxiety. If no physical issues are discovered then the healthcare provider for your child will refer them to an anxiety disorder specialist. For children it will likely be a psychiatrist or child psychologist. Psychotherapy (also called talk therapy) is often the first option for treating separation anxiety disorder. The therapist will help your child learn healthy ways to manage their emotions and increase self-confidence, independence, and build resilience. The therapist will also educate parents on how they can assist their child who is suffering from anxiety. The use of medication, like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), is often prescribed in addition to psychotherapy for separation anxiety disorder. The therapist will decide the best treatment option for your child based upon their particular needs. Children who suffer from severe anxiety, like could benefit from a combination of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) as well as exposure therapy. This means gradually exposing your child to the situations that cause anxiety over time in small steps until they become comfortable. Often, children with separation anxiety disorder improve as they age and their symptoms decrease. However, some adults could be suffering from separation anxiety throughout their adult lives. It can be difficult to maintain relationships or to pursue certain career goals such as returning to college or moving to work. Adults suffering from separation anxiety disorder have a high percentage of co-occurring conditions, such as other anxiety disorders such as depression and phobias, post-traumatic stress disorder, and a range of substance use disorders. Prevention Separation anxiety is common among many children. For some, separation anxiety can be a major issue that can affect their lives and prevents them from participating in activities they enjoy. If your child's fears are disrupting their daily routines consult a mental health professional. Separation anxiety disorder is a condition in which children experience severe distress when they are away from their parents or other family members. They have persistent fears about being snatched away, missing, or experiencing an accident that could result in the loss of those closest to them. They may also have a hard time sleeping on their own at night or they may refuse to go to camps, school or play dates with their parents. Doctors do not diagnose separation anxiety until the symptoms of a child last at least four weeks. The healthcare provider can interview both the child as well as the parents in a separate session to gather the complete picture. They might also inquire about anxiety disorders that are not related to separation anxiety, family history, and changes in life that may have caused or made separation anxiety more severe. Treatment for separation anxiety differs based on the age of the child, and the severity of the symptoms. Younger children usually express their anxiety through specific worries about harm to their loved ones, such as being worried that their parents might be hurt in a car accident or be attacked by an intruder. Separation anxiety in older children is frequently ignored by them. Children with separation anxiety are often treated with behavioral therapy. It involves teaching relaxation techniques to children and assisting them to understand and manage their anxiety. In some instances it is necessary to combine therapies, such as cognitive therapy, is employed. It's important for adults to be consistent in their responses to children's anxiety about separation. Kids need to know that their requests for parents to not leave are not valid and they will only improve if provided with clear, definite boundaries and support as they work to overcome their fears.