Separation Anxiety Disorder in Children

Introduction: What is Separation Anxiety?

Separation Anxiety Disorder in Children- A disorder in which children worry about being left by their parents or caregivers, and this worry causes significant distress, typically for several hours or longer a day. This can be a complex disorder that may result from other disorders, such as depression, anxiety, or autism spectrum disorder.

Symptoms

Children exhibit one or more of the following:

-Won’t go to school because they fear being left behind by their caregiver(s)

-Frequent nightmares about being separated from home and loved ones. These nightmares often occur during the night after the child wakes up crying

-Has difficulty sleeping when separated from home and/or caregivers (when separation is less than six hours)

Worrying that something horrible will happen to a loved one on a regular basis

-Concerned about becoming disoriented

-Refusal to travel somewhere without a loved one on a regular basis

-To prevent separation, people lie or throw fits.

-When you are apart from your partner, you may become unhappy or upset.

-When thinking about separation, you may feel sad or distressed.

—

How Separation Anxiety Disorder Affects Kids

Separation anxiety disorder can affect kids and teens, but it is most common among children aged 3–7 years old. It can also occur later in life, especially when the person is facing a major change like going away to college or starting a new job.

Some signs that your child might be suffering from SAD include:

- Frequent questions about where their parents are

- Difficulty sleeping at night

- Crying for extended periods of time

- Avoiding to go to school and participate in activities

- Avoiding eye contact with other children

Separation Anxiety Disorder, a Common Problem for Kids

Separation anxiety disorder is a common problem for children and adolescents. It is characterized by the fear of being separated from their parents or caregivers.

Some children might feel anxious when they are away from their parents or caretakers, while others may become so anxious that they refuse to leave their parents’ home. Either way, the child’s anxiety can lead to physical symptoms such as headaches, stomachaches, and insomnia.

What Causes Separation Anxiety Disorder in Children?

Separation anxiety disorder is a common condition in children and can be described as a persistent, excessive worry or fear of being separated from people to whom the individual feels attached.

It is typically seen in children with a healthy attachment to their parents. However, it can also be seen in children who have been abused, neglected, or abandoned.

Separation anxiety disorder has been linked to various factors such as stress and trauma. It is important for parents and caregivers to recognize the signs of this condition early on so that they can help alleviate the symptoms and prevent its progression into more severe forms of anxiety disorders that could lead to serious mental health concerns.

Biological causes

Neurotransmitters are responsible to convey message in the brain that determine how a person feels. Serotonin and dopamine are two key neurotransmitters that can produce anxiety when they are out of balance.

Aspects of the family

A child can inherit a parent’s anxiety in the same way as a child might inherit a parent’s hair color. Anxiety can also be picked up from family members and others who are visibly agitated or anxious in the presence of a youngster. The way parents respond to their children might also contribute to their child’s anxiousness without their realizing it. Allowing a child to skip school because they are afraid to

Environmental determinants

Separation anxiety disorder can be triggered by a stressful event (such as a divorce, illness, or death in the family).

There are many treatment options for children with separation anxiety disorder including behavioral therapy, medication, and family therapy.

Separation anxiety disorder is a condition that can occur in children as well as adults. It is characterized by an excessive fear of separation from the parents or other important people in their life.

Treating Separation Anxiety Disorder in Kids

- Encourage children to talk about their feelings and fears with parents and other trusted adults

- Help kids set realistic expectations for what will happen when they are away from home

- Provide opportunities for children to practice being away from home, such as visiting friends or going on a trip

The 5 Types of Treatment Methods Available for Severe Separation Anxiety Disorders in Kids

Separation anxiety is a common issue that kids experience when they have to leave their parents or other loved ones. It can be difficult for parents to deal with and understand, but there are various treatment methods available in the market.

The 5 types of treatment methods are:

1. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

CBT has demonstrated to be an effective treatment for anxiety, depression and many other mental health disorders. It is a treatment that targets and resolves the negative patterns of thoughts and behaviors that keep people in the grips of their problems.

2. Exposure Therapy

Exposure therapy is a type of behavioral therapy that is commonly used to assist people suffering from phobias and anxiety disorders. It entails a person confronting their fears, whether imagined or real, but under the supervision of a trained therapist in a safe environment.

3. Play Therapy

Rapport Building — Although not covered in the above-mentioned training, I have included this very important reason for using structured or directive play therapy with highly anxious children because a pure child-centered approach can overwhelm a child who is new to the play room.
Assessing, Awareness, and Containment– These interventions assist children in measuring, assessing, and even quantifying their level of anxiety.
Turning Thoughts Around (Cognitive Restructuring)– This involves assisting children in identifying anxious thoughts and beliefs and feeling empowered to overcome, shift, and change those thoughts through playful activities.
Self-Soothing/Finding Calm– These teach a child how to return to a state of calm.
Choosing a Different Focus and Direction (Distraction) — These assist the child in making the decision to direct their thinking in a different direction.
Becoming the Boss (Empowerment) — These provide the child with a sense of mastery.

4. Social Skills Training

1.During a conversation, make eye contact with others.
2.When greeting others, you should smile.
3.When meeting someone, shake their hands.
4.Using the appropriate tone and volume of voice
Flirting.
5.expressing one’s thoughts to others
6.Realizing and expressing empathy for the feelings of others.

5. Parent Management Training (PMT)

Sometime parents have not healthy interpersonal relationship that is the main cause for issue. There are many parents who feel overwhelmed and confused when they first become a parent. They lack confidence and often struggle to figure out how to be the best parent they can be. The Parent Management Training (PMT) is a practical guide for parents who want to gain skills that will help them in their role as a parent.

Where can I get more information about this condition?

If your child shows signs of separation anxiety disorder, seek help from your child’s physician. A doctor can help you figure out whether your child’s behavior is typical in response to the separation or if the symptoms are evidence of separation anxiety disorder. You can also talk to your child’s guidance counsellor at school. For youngsters with separation anxiety disorder, some schools may even provide group counselling sessions. Most mental health practitioners can diagnose and treat separation anxiety disorder in adults.

Points to consider for parents to cope with separation anxiety?

You have a major impact on how your child is handled as a parent. You may help by performing the following actions:

Keep all of your appointments with your child’s doctor.

Reassurance and support should be shown to your child. Encourage independence at a young age.

Recognize situations that may cause your youngster to get stressed. Knowing what concerns your child and making plans ahead of time will help you prepare them for success. Tell other people about your child’s issue. Develop a treatment plan with your child’s healthcare practitioner and school. Remind teachers that in specific situations, your child will require additional comfort and help.

If you have an anxiety problem, seek individual counselling as well as family therapy. Seek help from near by services in your area. It may be beneficial to communicate with other parents who have children who suffer from SAD.