Separation Anxiety Disorder
Separation Anxiety Disorder
Separation Anxiety Disorder
Natural separation anxiety only turns into a condition called separation anxiety disorder (SAD) if symptoms persist after the age of three, they are intense or prolonged, and they interfere with school and/or other daily activities.
Babies and toddlers can get upset and cry if they are separated from their parents and other caregivers even for a few minutes, which is a normal part of childhood development. Children usually grow out of separation anxiety by the age of three.
SAD can impact family life negatively, limiting the frequency and extent of family activities and frustrating parents and siblings with the amount of attention the child with SAD requires.
Prevalence
SAD is a fairly common condition that affects 3% – 5% of children, and it is considered to be a general indicator of potential mental health and mood disorder issues.
Symptoms of Separation Anxiety Disorder:
Symptoms of SAD which are excessive for the child’s developmental age are seen when a child is separated from their parent, caregiver, or close authority figure. Separation anxiety symptoms can appear like other health issues, so it is important to have the child visit a doctor to find out exactly what needs to be addressed.
SAD is characterized by anxiety-related behaviors such as:
Panic attacks and panic disorder can be associated with separation anxiety disorder — the individual may have repeated experiences of intense and sudden terror, fear, or anxiety that escalate within a few minutes.
SAD symptoms can contribute toward:
For some people, SAD symptoms can persist into the teenage years or into adulthood.
Causes of Separation Anxiety Disorder:
A family history of anxiety or depression, low socioeconomic status, overprotective parents, moving to a new home, and switching schools are all factors that can render a child vulnerable and at increased risk of developing SAD.
Risk factors for separation anxiety include:
Diagnosis of Separation Anxiety Disorder:
Children with three or more of the symptoms listed in the symptoms section could be diagnosed with SAD. The child’s doctor may want additional testing, including a psychological evaluation done while exploring the child’s feelings and thoughts, in order to rule out other conditions or disorders.
The doctor may also want to watch the child interact with their parents before making the diagnosis so they can assess the impact of the parenting style on the child’s capacity to handle anxiety.
Roughly 33% of children diagnosed with SAD will be diagnosed with a fear-related mental illness later as an adult.
Treatment for Separation Anxiety Disorder:
Typically, psychotherapy is used in the treatment of SAD, with the goal of helping a child deal with anxiety in a positive way. Currently, separation anxiety disorder is not something treatable with medications. Antidepressants are sometimes used in older children with SAD, but they must be monitored closely for adverse effects.
Ideally, parents, therapists, and teachers work together to facilitate a supportive and safe environment during and after treatment. This includes understanding the symptoms if the disorder, knowing what encouraging the child toward interacting with peers safely looks like, and providing the child a safe place to go to when anxious —at home and at school.
Realize that this transition may not happen in the first week, but be as consistent as possible with your changes.
Symptoms of Separation Anxiety Disorder:
Symptoms of SAD which are excessive for the child’s developmental age are seen when a child is separated from their parent, caregiver, or close authority figure. Separation anxiety symptoms can appear like other health issues, so it is important to have the child visit a doctor to find out exactly what needs to be addressed.
SAD is characterized by anxiety-related behaviors such as:
Panic attacks and panic disorder can be associated with separation anxiety disorder — the individual may have repeated experiences of intense and sudden terror, fear, or anxiety that escalate within a few minutes.
SAD symptoms can contribute toward:
For some people, SAD symptoms can persist into the teenage years or into adulthood.
Causes of Separation Anxiety Disorder:
A family history of anxiety or depression, low socioeconomic status, overprotective parents, moving to a new home, and switching schools are all factors that can render a child vulnerable and at increased risk of developing SAD.
Risk factors for separation anxiety include:
Diagnosis of Separation Anxiety Disorder:
Children with three or more of the symptoms listed in the symptoms section could be diagnosed with SAD. The child’s doctor may want additional testing, including a psychological evaluation done while exploring the child’s feelings and thoughts, in order to rule out other conditions or disorders.
The doctor may also want to watch the child interact with their parents before making the diagnosis so they can assess the impact of the parenting style on the child’s capacity to handle anxiety.
Roughly 33% of children diagnosed with SAD will be diagnosed with a fear-related mental illness later as an adult.
Treatment for Separation Anxiety Disorder:
Typically, psychotherapy is used in the treatment of SAD, with the goal of helping a child deal with anxiety in a positive way. Currently, separation anxiety disorder is not something treatable with medications. Antidepressants are sometimes used in older children with SAD, but they must be monitored closely for adverse effects.
Ideally, parents, therapists, and teachers work together to facilitate a supportive and safe environment during and after treatment. This includes understanding the symptoms if the disorder, knowing what encouraging the child toward interacting with peers safely looks like, and providing the child a safe place to go to when anxious —at home and at school.
Realize that this transition may not happen in the first week, but be as consistent as possible with your changes.