Separation Anxiety Disorder - Understanding Different Types of Anxiety
Learn more about Separation Anxiety Disorder, its symptoms, reasons why it happens, how to get a diagnosis, and possible treatments for kids with this type of anxiety.
Learn more about Separation Anxiety Disorder, its symptoms, reasons why it happens, how to get a diagnosis, and possible treatments for kids with this type of anxiety.
What exactly are the triggers that lead kids and young people to suffer from Separation Anxiety Disorder?
A child who suffers from Separation Anxiety Disorder (also known as SAD) experiences worries and anxiety that are excessively severe about being away from home or family.
A child with SAD is extremely concerned about separation from family, close friends, and loved ones. They fear something awful will occur to a family member in their absence, or they will become separated from their family.
Every child and adolescent experiences anxiety. It is a necessary and normal element of maturation. Very young children commonly experience loneliness-related anxiety. It’s normal for kids to experience some sort of separation anxiety from their family or loved ones.
In contrast, the symptoms of SAD are significantly more severe.
Before a kid may be diagnosed with Separation Anxiety Disorder (SAD), the symptoms must have been present for at least four weeks.
This might result in much distress and make day-to-day life difficult. Read on to understand better what it means to be a child experiencing Separation Anxiety Disorder.
Brain Mechanisms Responsible for Separation Anxiety
The cause of Separation Anxiety Disorder is still majorly unknown. However, it is believed that changes in brain chemistry, particularly in the amygdala, are to blame.
This region of the brain regulates feelings and fear responses. The levels of the stress hormone cortisol in children who suffer from Separation Anxiety Disorder are often higher than average.
Cortisol stimulates adrenaline production, which elevates heart rate and blood pressure. Additionally, cortisol causes individuals to feel worried and depressed.
Young people frequently suffer from Separation Anxiety Disorder, which can cause severe distress. Approximately 2% of schoolchildren and 4% of teenagers are affected.
What variables lead to the onset of separation anxiety disorder in children?
The experts agree that a combination of environmental and biological variables could be at play in developing Separation Anxiety Disorder.
An anxious disposition can be passed down from parent to child. This is most likely caused by an imbalance between the amounts of two brain chemicals: norepinephrine and serotonin.
A child may also pick up sensations of worry and panic from other people, including members of their own family. An unpleasant event, like a death in the family or a traumatic incident, is another potential SAD cause.
Who is most likely to develop Separation Anxiety Disorder among children?
There is no difference in risk between boys and girls for developing SAD. But conversely, children whose parents suffer from anxiety problems are more likely to get SAD.
Most kids between the ages of 18 months and three years old have separation anxiety and exhibit possessive behaviour. Many children and adults experience separation anxiety too.
Separation Anxiety Disorder can affect children between the ages of 4 and 12. However, the condition usually begins to present itself at around age 6.
When a child has Separation Anxiety Disorder, what should parents expect?
In most cases, Separation Anxiety Disorder (SAD) symptoms do not manifest until kids reach three to four years old.
However, they may begin after a period away from school, such as the summer or the holidays, or after a period of recovery from a prolonged illness.
Each child may display a distinct set of symptoms. Nonetheless, the most typical SAD symptoms are as follows:
Refusal to sleep while alone.
Frequent dreams involving separation from loved ones.
There is significant anxiety while being removed from one's home and family.
An excessive amount of concern for a family member's well-being.
Excessive worry over getting estranged from one's family.
Refusing to attend school or classes.
Apprehension and reluctance to spend time alone.
Continual stomach discomfort, headaches, or other physical concerns.
Being too dependent on others, particularly at home.
Frequent bouts of anxiety and rage whenever the child is taken away from his or her parents or other primary caretakers.
It is possible to confuse the symptoms of Separation Anxiety Disorder (SAD) with those of other disorders. Therefore, your child should see his or her doctor or mental health professional as soon as possible so that he or she can diagnose the problem.
SAD Dangers and Life Pressures
The disposition of a child influences whether or not he or she develops separation anxiety. Sensitive, timid, or fearful children may be susceptible to separation anxiety. Anxiety is the number one consequence of SAD.
Anxiety is a sensation of concern, nervousness, unease, apprehension, dread, terror, panic, or rage brought on by uncertainty, unpredictability, lack of control, or potential danger.
Those with SAD are more likely to develop additional mental health illnesses, including depression, bipolar disorder, OCD, PTSD, eating disorders, substance addiction, and suicide attempts.
In addition to being more likely to have other mental health concerns, persons with SAD are also more likely to acquire additional medical complications.
In addition, they are more susceptible to cardiovascular disorders such as hypertension. People with SAD are also at a heightened risk of developing diabetes, obesity, and asthma.
Some people inherit a predisposition to SAD. This condition is referred to as familial SAD. The tendency to develop SAD increases if there is a history of it within the family.
How Does a Parent Identify If a Kid Has Separation Anxiety Disorder?
Separation Anxiety Disorder can be diagnosed by a child psychiatrist or another mental health expert.
If your child is experiencing physical symptoms, his or her primary care doctor may check him or her to rule out other potential causes and recommend tests or consultations to get a definitive diagnosis.
Understanding the Fundamentals of Separation Anxiety Disorder in Children
The symptoms of SAD are more severe than separation anxiety, which the vast majority of children experience between the developmental stages around 18 months and three years of age.
At least four weeks of symptoms must be present before a child can be diagnosed with a SAD.
Potential support and treatment for kids with SAD includes both psychotherapy and medicine.
How Should I Treat my Child with Separation Anxiety Disorder?
Your child's treatment will depend on their symptoms, age, and overall health. The severity of the ailment will also factor into the final determination.
Seeking mental health support, seeing a psychologist or getting psychotherapy are often recommended. Psychotherapy involves talking about the feelings associated with separation anxiety.
It is important to note that some kids who suffer from this disorder do not respond to therapy. In these cases, medication may be prescribed.
Typically, a combination of the following therapies is used to treat separation anxiety disorder (SAD):
Cognitive and behavioral-based therapy A child who undergoes this treatment can learn how to control the anxiety better that they experience. In addition, the goal is to help the child establish control over events that may have led to fear.
Some children may benefit from taking antidepressants or medicine for anxiety to experience less uncertainty and anxiety.
The engagement of the patient's parents is crucial to any treatment, and the child's school may also play a role in providing care.
What Can I Do to Stop My Kid from Developing Separation Anxiety Disorder?
There is no proven strategy to prevent children and adolescents from suffering from SAD. You can, however, be of assistance if you seek an evaluation as soon as possible if you observe symptoms of SAD in your child. Early diagnosis can minimize the impact of SAD.
It would be best if you also encouraged your child to share his or her feelings about separation anxiety disorder. Your child may feel embarrassed or ashamed about having the problem, so it is important to let them know you understand and support them.
The sooner symptoms are treated, the less severe they are, and your child's development will be more typical.
School and Separation Anxiety Disorder
Frequently, working parents encounter the issue of balancing jobs and family life. While many believe that children mature too quickly, there are a few things that every parent must be prepared for when dealing with separation anxiety disorder.
Separation anxiety disorder (SAD) is a prevalent condition among children. It creates great fear and avoidance of circumstances where a person leaves his/her family. This can result in school absences and low self-esteem. Approximately 2% of children globally suffer from SAD.
School attendance should be voluntary. Typically, children with separation anxiety disorder refuse to attend school for fear of being separated from their parents.
But on the other hand, they fear missing out on vital things such as friends, activities, and homework.
Support your child during peer interactions
If your child becomes distressed while engaging with others, you should attempt to soothe him/her. Ask your child what is hurting him or her and provide coping mechanisms. Encourage your child to express himself or herself verbally. Consider your child's experiences and perspectives.
Reward the efforts of your youngster. Ensure that your youngster is aware of your admiration for him or her. Give compliments whenever you can. For example, applaud your youngster for accomplishing duties such as studying, chores, and following instructions. Be specific. For instance, you might say, "I truly like how well you performed on the maths test."
Reward your easily distracted child for concentrating on one job at a time. Set aside daily time specifically for your youngster. This could involve reading, playing games, or conversing about something entertaining.
How can I aid my child in overcoming Separation Anxiety Disorder?
The following is a list of ways in which you can assist:
First, always keep your scheduled appointments with your child's healthcare practitioner.
Assure and aid your child in any manner possible. Encourage the appropriate level of autonomy for your child's age.
Recognize the situations that could lead your youngster to experience stress. You may be able to better prepare your child for success in any endeavour by determining what causes him or her anxiety and making appropriate preparations beforehand.
Please spread the word about your child's Separation Anxiety Disorder to your family so they can support you. Create a treatment plan for your child with his or her physician and school staff. In some situations, teachers should be reminded that your child will require more reassurance and support.
Make an effort to obtain assistance from the local community services. In addition, connecting with other parents whose children also suffer from SAD could prove beneficial.
Long-Term View of Separation Anxiety Disorder
A new study indicated early treatment for Separation Anxiety Disorder could prevent future attacks. This is encouraging because it shows that parents can have a role in minimising the likelihood that their children will develop this sort of anxiety in adulthood.
Children with SAD frequently experience repeated episodes of great dread and distress when separated from their caretakers.
These concerns typically originate in childhood and persist throughout maturity. Some individuals experience symptoms throughout infancy, adolescence, and into young adulthood.
Early intervention decreases the likelihood that a kid may experience another episode of SAD. Over several years, researchers asked participants if they had encountered more bouts of SAD.
Early therapy reduced the likelihood of future SAD episodes being reported, compared to delayed treatment.
What you need to know about Separation Anxiety Disorder
Children with separation anxiety can acquire other anxiety disorders as adolescents. About 3% of children globally experience Separation Anxiety Disorder.
It typically begins when a child has trouble parting from his or her parents. As a result, they may feel possessive, apprehensive, and scared of being away from home. SAD typically develops in early childhood but can persist throughout maturity.
Consult his or her physician if you feel your child has Separation Anxiety Disorder. He may recommend referral to a mental health specialist to treat anxiety problems.
The sooner your child starts treatment, the greater the likelihood that future issues can be avoided.
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