What is separation anxiety disorder in adults?

Very often, separation anxiety can occur in adults, not just children. Separation anxiety in adults can be caused by a strong fear that something very bad and irreparable can happen to loved ones.

Experts do not know the causes of this disorder. It is often seen in conjunction with other anxiety-related conditions, including panic attacks, agoraphobia, and generalized anxiety disorder.

Separation anxiety is an integral part of development between the ages of 6 months and 3 years. But if the symptoms of separation anxiety do not go away even at a later age, experts can diagnose separation anxiety disorder. And if this problem continues, the doctor may diagnose adult separation anxiety disorder. Basically, the symptoms of this disease in children and adults are similar. In children, this problem arises because of the fear of separation from parents or guardians, which will lead to an unwillingness to participate in any activities or social life. For example, a child does not want to hang out with friends or go to a summer camp.

In adults, the problem is related to the fear of losing a husband, wife, or other loved one.

Symptoms

Worrying about the well-being of your loved ones is a normal part of life. But if a person has separation anxiety disorder, they begin to experience a high degree of anxiety and sometimes even panic attacks when their loved ones are very far away.

Patients with this diagnosis may withdraw, become very sad, or have trouble concentrating when a loved one is very far away. Parents with this disorder may raise their child in excessive strictness with constant control. In family relationships, an adult with the disorder will always dominate.

There are other symptoms that indicate the presence of anxiety disorder:

• Feeling unreasonable fears that a loved one may be kidnapped, injured, or get into other trouble.
• Unwillingness to leave a loved one for a long time or refusal to let them go.
• Insomnia if a loved one is not around because of the fear that something terrible will happen to them.
• Depression or anxiety attacks related to all of the above.

A person with the disorder may also experience physical pain, headaches, stool disorders, and other unpleasant sensations.

Diagnosis

To diagnose this condition, a specialist prescribes a comprehensive examination for the patient and uses the methods specified in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th edition DSM-V). According to the DSM-V, one of the first signs of the disease is a strong fear or anxiety of separation from loved ones. Such experiences should be consistent with its development. Also:

1. Symptoms in an adult should appear within 6 months.
2. The symptoms are so severe that they significantly affect the person's social life and responsibilities.
3. Symptoms are associated with other types of disorders.

Before making a final diagnosis, a specialist will ask the patient a large number of questions. This may require several visits to the doctor before he or she makes the correct diagnosis.

The specialist may also talk to some family members or friends to determine how the patient's symptoms affect their behavior and daily life. The doctor conducts all conversations in strict confidentiality, so no one will know about the topic of the conversation. The specialist will also talk to relatives only with the patient's consent.

Other similar manifestations can be observed in social anxiety disorders or post-traumatic stress disorders. Therefore, it is important to consult a specialist to properly diagnose the problem and choose the appropriate treatment.

Treatment.

Treatment methods for adult separation anxiety disorder are similar to those used for other types of anxiety disorders. A specialist may recommend several different therapies before you find the one that is right for your particular case and will bring the most effective results.

Possible therapies include the following types:

1. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).
2. Group therapy.
3. Family therapy.
4. Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT).
5. Medications (antidepressants, buspirone, or benzodiazepines).

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Fear of separation in adults can manifest itself both in childhood and adulthood. Similar to other types of anxiety disorders, it can significantly affect a person's quality of life. But this condition can be controlled by a doctor with effective treatment. Separation anxiety in an adult can negatively affect the quality of life. Consult a specialist if you notice that you or someone close to you is suffering from this disorder.

Symptoms of separation anxiety disorder in a child

Symptoms of SAD begin to appear when children are separated from their parents or guardians. Usually, fear of separation causes such behavior because it is associated with feelings of anxiety.

The most common forms of child behavior:

• Clinging to parents.
• Cries a lot.
• Does not want to do anything that will cause separation.
• Experiences headaches and vomiting.
• He starts having strong emotional tantrums.
• Refuses to go to kindergarten or school.
• Does not do well at school.
• Is not able to communicate normally with other children.
• Refuses to sleep without parents.
• Nightmares.

The most common separation anxiety disorder in children:

• Children who already have a history of anxiety or depression.
• Shy and timid children.
• With a low socioeconomic status.
• With strong parental care.
• With a lack of healthy relationships with parents.
• With communication problems in a group of children of their age.

ATS can also appear after a stressful situationin a child's life:

• Moving to another place of residence.
• Transfer to another school.
• Parental divorce.
• Death of a loved one.

Anxiety can also trigger side effects related to the nervous system, such as brain fog, reduced concentration, and impaired mental clarity. However, these symptoms can be managed. Learn how in our article Seven Tips to Eliminate Brain Fog, Develop Concentration, and Improve Mental Clarity.

Diagnosis of separation anxiety disorder

If a specialist finds three or more of the above symptoms in a child, he or she may diagnose separation anxiety disorder. He or she may also order additional testing to confirm the diagnosis. A specialist may observe how parents interact with their child to understand how your parenting style affects their ability to cope with anxiety. Therapy and medications are used to treat the condition. These treatments can help a child overcome the condition faster and return to a normal lifestyle.

Therapy

The most effective treatment is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). With its help, a child is taught how to cope with anxiety in different ways. The most common methods are deep breathing and relaxation.

How is separation anxiety disorder treated?

The main treatments are therapy and medications. These methods help children cope with the problem effectively.

Another way to treat SAD is parent-child interaction therapy. It includes the following stages:

1. Child-Directed Interaction (CDI), which focuses on improving the quality of the relationship between parents and children and includes warm relationships, sufficient attention, and praise. This will help to strengthen the child's sense of security.
2. Bravery Development Intervention (BDI). This method teaches parents why their child may feel anxious. The therapist will develop a special bravery ladder that will show situations that cause anxiety. It also provides rewards for various positive reactions.

Another factor in effective treatment is communication at school. Your child needs to have a safe place to go if he or she feels anxious. Parents should also find a way to communicate with him if he needs help during school or at other times when he is away from home. The teacher should also encourage your child to socialize with other classmates. If you have concerns about your child's relationships with other students in the classroom, you should talk to the principal or school psychologist who can help.

Medications

Today, there are no special medications to treat separation anxiety disorder. Sometimes antidepressants are prescribed for older children if other therapies have not worked. But such a decision should be carefully considered and made by the child's parents and doctor. At the same time, the child should take the medication under the strict supervision of the parents and the doctor, as various side effects may occur.

Separation anxiety disorder has a serious impact on a child's emotional and social development. It can cause a child to avoid events that are important in his or her life.

The disorder can also affect life within the family. Some of these problems may include:

• Family celebrations that are accompanied by negative behavior from the child.
• Parents who devote little time to themselves and each other, disappointing the child.
• Having siblings who are jealous of the increased attention that parents pay to the child with the disorder.

If your child is suffering from separation anxiety disorder, you should talk to your doctor about the treatment options available and ways to help control its impact on the family.

For a deeper dive into cognitive health, anxiety management, and overall well-being, explore our website.