13 Months: Separation Anxiety

What Is Separation Anxiety Disorder?

Separation anxiety disorder (SAD) is a condition in which a child becomes fearful and nervous when away from home or separated from a loved one -- usually a parent or other caregiver -- to whom the child is attached. Some children also develop physical symptoms, such as headaches or stomachaches, at the thought of being separated. The fear of separation causes great distress to the child and may interfere with their normal activities, like going to school or playing with other children.

Separation anxiety is normal in very young children (those between 8 and 14 months old). Kids often go through a phase when they’re "clingy" and afraid of unfamiliar people and places. When this fear affects a child over age 6 years, is heavy, or lasts longer than 4 weeks, the child may have separation anxiety disorder.

Separation anxiety affects approximately 4%-5% of children in the U.S. ages 7 to 11 years. It is less common in teenagers, affecting about 1.3% of American teens. It affects boys and girls equally.

Separation Anxiety Disorder Symptoms

Following are some of the most common symptoms of separation anxiety disorder:

An unrealistic and lasting worry that something bad will happen to the parent or caregiver if the child leaves

An unrealistic and lasting worry that something bad will happen to the child if they leave the caregiver

Refusal to go to school in order to stay with the caregiver

Refusal to go to sleep without the caregiver being nearby or to sleep away from home

Fear of being alone

Nightmares about being separated

Bed-wetting

Complaints of physical symptoms, such as headaches and stomachaches

Repeated temper tantrums or pleading

Intense fear or guilt

Separation Anxiety Disorder Causes and Risk Factors

Possible causes and risk factors for SAD include:

A significant stressful or traumatic event in the child's life, such as a stay in the hospital, the death of a loved one or pet, or a change in environment (such as moving to another house or a change of schools)

Children whose parents are overprotective may be more prone to separation anxiety. In fact, it may not necessarily be a disease of the child but a sign of parental separation anxiety as well -- parent and child can feed the other's anxiety.

Children with separation anxiety often have family members with anxiety or other mental disorders, which suggests that a risk of getting the disorder may be inherited.

Insecure attachment to parents or caregivers

Stress

Other anxiety disorders, like panic attacks, social anxiety disorder, phobias, or agoraphobia

Children with SAD may also have obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) or depression.

Separation Anxiety Disorder Diagnosis

The doctor will check your child for signs and symptoms of separation anxiety disorder. If they’re present, the doctor will ask about your child’s medical history and give them a physical exam. Although there are no laboratory tests to specifically diagnose separation anxiety disorder, the doctor may use various tests -- such as blood tests and other laboratory measures -- to rule out physical illness or medication side effects as the cause of the symptoms.

If they don’t find signs of a physical illness, the doctor may refer your child to a child and adolescent psychiatrist or psychologist, mental health professionals who are specially trained to diagnose and treat mental illness in children and teens. Psychiatrists and psychologists use specially designed interview and assessment tools to evaluate a child for a mental illness. The doctor bases a diagnosis on reports of the child's symptoms and their observation of the child's attitude and behavior.

Separation Anxiety Disorder Treatment

Most mild cases of separation anxiety disorder don’t need medical treatment. In more severe cases, or when the child refuses to go to school, treatment may be needed. The goals of treatment include reducing anxiety in the child, developing a sense of security in the child and the caregivers, and educating the child and family/caregivers about the need for natural separations. Treatments that may be used include:

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): Also known as talking therapy, this is the main form of treatment for separation anxiety disorder. The focus is to help the child handle being separated from their caregiver without the separation causing distress or interfering with function. This therapy works to reshape the child's thinking (cognition) so that their behavior becomes more appropriate. Family therapy also may help teach the family about the disorder and help family members better support the child during periods of anxiety.

Medication:Antidepressants or other anti-anxiety medications may be used to treat severe cases of separation anxiety disorder.

School intervention: Mental health practitioners at your child’s school can offer therapy to help them manage SAD symptoms.

What parents can do: Talk with your child’s therapist to better understand how SAD affects them in their daily life. Make sure your child is able to attend therapy appointments on schedule. Regular treatment will lead to better results. Find out what triggers your child’s anxiety symptoms, and apply therapy techniques to help your child manage their feelings at home or in school.

Separation Anxiety Disorder Prevention

There’s no known way to prevent separation anxiety disorder, but recognizing and acting on symptoms when they appear can ease distress and prevent problems linked to not going to school. In addition, reinforcing a child's independence and self-esteem through support and approval may help prevent future episodes of anxiety.

Separation Anxiety Disorder Outlook

Most children with separation anxiety disorder get better, although their symptoms may come back for many years, particularly during stressful times. Treatment that starts early and involves the entire family is most likely to be successful.

Posted : 2023-12-07 16:07

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