It is normal for children to wish to stay with their parents and family members. However, when a separation causes excess anxiety and fear, it probably is what psychologists call separation anxiety disorder, which is defined by constant and excessive distress, worry, and fear when facing separation. Continue to read to learn more about separation anxiety disorder!
According to the Mayo Clinic, “separation anxiety is a normal stage of development for infants and toddlers,” and “in some children, separation anxiety is a sign of a more serious condition known as separation anxiety disorder”.
Symptoms
Below listed are some of the main symptoms of separation anxiety disorder
Repeated nightmares that have a theme of separation
Anxiety when separated from home or close family members
Fear of close family members being harmed
Fear of experiencing accidents or events that cause separation
Take actions to avoid separation (e.g. refusal to go to school or work)
Avoid sleep without close family members
Physical symptoms such as headaches and vomiting when anticipating separation
Treatments
Some of the effective treatments for separation anxiety disorder include cognitive behavioral therapy, medicines, family therapy, and school input. Amongst those, cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT, is a popular therapeutic technique that is effective in many anxiety disorders. Read the following article by STEM To Go to learn more about CBT! https://onlinestemtogo.wixsite.com/website/post/cognitive-behavioral-therapy
Causes
Both biological and environmental factors contribute to getting separation anxiety disorder. Some other risk factors include life stresses or loss that result in separation, certain temperaments, family history, and environmental issues.
Hope this article helped you learn more about separation anxiety disorder! Thanks for reading!
Sources:
“Separation Anxiety Disorder.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 5 Apr. 2021, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/separation-anxiety-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20377455.
“Default - Stanford Children's Health.” Stanford Children's Health - Lucile Packard Children's Hospital Stanford, www.stanfordchildrens.org/en/topic/default?id=separation-anxiety-disorder-90-P02582#:~:text=Separation%20anxiety%20disorder%20(SAD)%20is,is%20not%20with%20the%20person.