What is separation anxiety disorder?

Separation anxiety is that fear of losing or being separated from a person or other attachment figure. Separation anxiety is more common among youngsters but can also occur in adults.

When a person is separated or even likely to be separated from an attachment figure, then he or she may develop intense anxiety. This attachment figure can be a person, a place, or even an animal. Physical symptoms of separation anxiety, such as headaches and nausea, can also manifest in a person.

What symptoms of separation anxiety are there?

In adult, separation anxiety is when an individual experiences several of the following signs:

• Excessive distress when there is a separation and in anticipation of it
• Excessive anxiety about loss of the attachment figure
• Excessive anxiety about events or conditions that may lead to separation from the attachment figure
• Aversion to leaving the attachment figure
• Persistent and excessive fear of being alone
• Inability to sleep without being close to the attachment figure
• Recurring nightmares concerning separation
• Recurring physical symptoms related to actual or threatened separation.

These symptoms can cause marked distress that significantly affects social, occupational, or academic functioning.

In child, SAD symptoms occur when a child is removed from their parents or other primary caregivers. Anxiety-related behaviors may also be a consequence of a fear of separation. Some of the most common behaviors include:

• Hanging onto parents
• Excessive and intense crying
• Refusal to participate in activities that require separation; physical complaints such as headaches or vomiting; and violent, emotional outbursts
• Refusal to go to classes
• Poor academic performance or failure to interact positively with the peers
• Having nightmares that they will sleep alone at nights.

What is the cause of separation anxiety disorder?

The specific aetiology of separation anxiety disorder is unknown, but the researchers believe it is probably a mixture of environment and heredity. A person may, for instance, be born with a genetic mutation that alters the way specific chemicals function in their brain.

However, genetics is only part of the story. Other examples of environmental factors may well be involved in causing a condition. A big change in life or a seriously adverse childhood experience is just a few examples. Such circumstances might induce epigenetic changes. Epigenetic changes refer to alterations to the molecules associated with your genes and, thus, affect how these genes function. In particular, some epigenetic changes can influence how the cells in your body read genes that control your reaction to stress.

What are the risk factors of separation anxiety disorder?

Your life is disrupted and it becomes challenging to complete desired and needed activities when you have separation anxiety disorder.

Children may:

• Struggle to focuson their studies, which mean that they fall behind in their classes.
• Havea hard time relating to classmates or attending social events.
• Missopportunities to learn, develop your social skills, and become more independent.

Adults may:

• Strugglingto focus on work or other responsibilities
• Argumentsin their relationships especially those with attachment figures
• Missopportunities to travel or do anything

How is a diagnosis of separation anxiety disorder made?

Medical professionals diagnose adults with separation anxiety disorder by:

• Discussing your symptoms with you.
• Requesting that you respond to a questionnaire or set of questions focused on your experiences and symptoms. Your responses help your healthcare professional determine (or rule out) a diagnosis of separation anxiety.

Speaking with the child and their parents or other carers is required to diagnose separation anxiety disorder in children. Your child, if old enough and you may be asked to complete a questionnaire by your pediatrician. They could also interrogate you verbally regarding your observations and your child's behavior.

For further help in making a diagnosis, providers might recommend that you or your family see a psychologist or psychiatrist.

How is separation anxiety disorder treated by doctors?

The treatment of separation anxiety disorder often begins with psychotherapy. If therapy does not help, medication can also be used. Psychotherapy involves working with a qualified therapist to reduce the symptoms of separation anxiety.

Psychoanalysis

For separation anxiety disorder, cognitive behavioral therapy is an effective treatment. Separation anxiety has been shown to respond well to exposure treatment, which is part of cognitive behavioral therapy. Your child can learn how to confront and manage their fears of uncertainty and separation during this type of treatment. In addition, parents can learn how to support their children emotionally and encourage independence in a manner that is appropriate for their age.

Drugs

When a child's symptoms of anxiety are severe, and therapy alone is not helpful, there may sometimes be an advantage in combining drug therapy with cognitive behavioral therapy. For older children and adults, a choice can be an antidepressant drug known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs.

Can this separation anxiety disorder be avoided?

Separation anxiety disorder cannot be prevented, as of now.

Communication is the best therapy for promoting good mental health as a parent or carer. Tell them they can come and talk to you about anything that is going on in their head at any time. This way, also let them know that they can reach you anytime via phone, even if they are unable to visit you. Discuss strategies to help your child easily transition to school and other activities away from home with your pediatrician as another option.

When should I contact a doctor?

If you or your child has any symptoms of separation anxiety disorder, call your doctor.

Seek medical attention right away if you or your child is taking any medication and you notice the following:

• New or changing side effects.
• Changes in behavior.
• The symptoms are getting worse or not improving.

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