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Separation Anxiety DisorderSeparation Anxiety and Its Effects on Children
What is Separation Anxiety Disorder?Separation Anxiety Disorder is a condition in which a child becomes fearful and anxious when away from home or separated from a loved one -- usually a parent or other caregiver -- to whom the child is attached. Separation Anxiety is normal in very young children (those between 8 and 14 months old). Kids often go through a phase when they are "clingy" and afraid of unfamiliar people and places. It usually starts at about six to eight months of age and lasts until about two and a half to four years of age. Sometimes it can last longer if the child has had any painful separations in the early years. Under normal circumstances, Separation Anxiety is the temporarily distressing result of something all parents want and seek to maintain: bonding with their children. If your child is suffering from Separation Anxiety, learn simple and effective methods to Control and Cure Separation Anxiety Disorders. Separation Anxiety reflects the child's attempts to hold on to what is safe in a very scary world, and it will settle down as the child grows older and develops a sense of safety and security in their homes and with their parents. As they grow older they realize that parents or caregivers can leave and return and their Separation Anxiety gradually fades. However, when this fear occurs in a child over age 6 years, is excessive, and lasts longer than four weeks, the child may have Separation Anxiety Disorder. 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 the child's normal activities, such as going to school or playing with other children. 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 and affects boys and girls equally. Read about fast and easy methods to Stop Separation Anxiety, Permanently.
Symptoms of Separation Anxiety DisorderPhysical SymptomsStomach aches, dizziness, racing heart, shallow breathing and other common physical complaints associated with anxiety. Teens are also likely to complain of headaches, heart palpitations, shortness of breath, or having a panic attack. Behavioral SymptomsCrying, clinging, or temper tantrums when anticipating or actually experiencing separation. They may have difficulty falling asleep alone, and have nightmares consisting of images of separation or death of loved ones. Children having this problem might refuse to be alone in a room; stay at school unless a trusted person stays with them; sleep alone. Anxious thoughts include:
If your child is suffering from these symptoms, learn how you can help Control and Cure Separation Anxiety.
Causes of Separation Anxiety DisorderSeparation Anxiety often develops after a significant stress or trauma 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 over-protective may be more prone to Separation Anxiety. In fact, it may not necessarily be a disease of the child but can be a manifestation of parental separation anxiety as well -- parent and child can feed the other's anxiety. In addition, the fact that children with Separation Anxiety often have family members with anxiety or other mental disorders suggests that a vulnerability to the disorder may be inherited. Learn how you can Treat Separation Anxiety Disorder without using Anxiety Drugs or Medicines Researchers have also pointed out that a chemical imbalance between two chemicals in the brain (Norepinephrine and Serotonin) most likely contributes to Separation Anxiety Disorder, as it does to other anxiety disorders. Separation Anxiety Disorder is a special risk for a child of an agoraphobic parent. Researchers have hypothesized that children who develop Separation Anxiety Disorders may have altered sensitivity to Endocrine influences such as maternal cortisol, and the way in which they process emotionally intense experiences of separation. It is well known that certain parts of the brain (such as the Amygdala) are involved in modulating the processing of emotional experiences. Other factors that may indicate a child at risk for Separation Anxiety Disorder during school years include:
Treating Separation Anxiety DisorderMost mild cases of Separation Anxiety Disorder do not need medical treatment. You can cure Separation Anxiety Disorder without using drugs or medication. Natural treatment is based on scientific principles of how our mind works. Read more on Drug-free Cure for Separation Anxiety. 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. Treatment options that may be used include: PsychotherapyThe focus of therapy is to enable the child to handle separation from the parent or caregiver in such a way that it does not cause distress. A type of therapy called Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) works to reshape the child’s thinking (cognition) so that the child is bale to cope with his separation better. MedicationAntidepressant medications may be used to treat severe cases of Separation Anxiety Disorder. Most children with Separation Anxiety Disorder get better, although their symptoms may recur for many years, particularly when stressful events or situations occur. When treatment is started early and involves the family as well as the child, the child's chance of recovery improves. Learn more about Natural Cures for Separation Anxiety Disorders.
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