Separation anxiety disorder causes fear and anxiety which is triggered by being separated from a parent, grandparent or caregiver in children, or in adults a child or romantic partner. This fear and anxiety is so extreme that it causes them severe distress and can interfere with their daily life. In children symptoms will have lasted at least four weeks and in adults six months. The fear they feel will be disproportionate to their situation or not appropriate to their development. It’s important to remember that most children suffer from separation anxiety but this is something that they grow out of. Whilst the condition is more common in children it can also affect adults.
Causes of separation anxiety disorder
As with many mental health conditions researchers are still unaware of what causes separation anxiety disorder to develop. They do believe however that like many mental health conditions it is caused by a combination of factors rather than one single cause. The condition develops when a child feels insecure, threatened or unsafe which can often be when there has been a significant change to their life and normal routine.
This can happen for several reasons; it might be for environmental reasons such as a change in their primary caregiver. This could be as a result of a family break up or bereavement, and can lead to further changes to their environment, like having to move home, changes in their living conditions or having to move schools.
Genetics can also play a part, if they have parents that are over protective or fussy then they can sense their feelings and emotions. Epigenetics is the study of how our environment can influence our genes and actually change the chemicals attached to them, which could include genes that affect our stress response. All of these things can lead to children becoming stressed and developing anxiety because they feel insecure.
Risk factors for developing separation anxiety disorder
It’s possible that someone could be more likely to develop separation anxiety disorder if they have experienced one or a combination of the following event:
For children it could be that they have
Suffered a bereavement of a parent, grandparent, sibling or caregiver
Have a family history of anxiety or anxiety disorders
Experience very stressful events like a family break up
Have to move home or change school
For adults it might be as a result of
The loss of a loved one
A major life change like becoming a parent, moving home, or starting a new relationship
A loved one developing a serious illness
The diagnosis of anxiety disorder as a child
Being diagnosed with anxiety or another mental health condition in adulthood
Complications of separation anxiety disorder
When you have separation anxiety disorder it can have a major impact on your life and the things you feel able to do or achieve. For children it can cause them problems concentrating on their schoolwork which could result in them falling behind in their education. They might miss chances to learn social skills as they find it hard to interact with other children and join in social activities that could improve their confidence and independence.
With adults they can struggle to focus on their work responsibilities, which could result in them missing promotion opportunities. They could also fail to engage in social activities and the chances to travel with colleagues or friends. It can cause problems within their relationship with the person they are attached to.
Symptoms of separation anxiety disorder
Symptoms occur when a child is separated from their parent or caregiver or an adult from the person they have become attached to. Symptoms will appear to be greater than you would expect for a child’s developmental stage. They will generally have three or more symptoms that will cause them distress and impact their ability to perform daily activities. Symptoms can include:
Physical symptoms such as, stomach or headaches, nausea or vomiting, dizziness or heart palpitations
Feeling extremely distressed when they are separated from the person they are attached to, or when they think about being separated from them
Suffer sleep disturbances or nightmares often refusing or being unable to sleep unless their attachment figure is present
Constantly fear that person will become sick, hurt or injured, and will be unable to be with them or take care of them
Will complain about being ill or unwell when they are separated
Refuse to be separated from their attachment figure for any length of time, and refuse to leave the house or do anything that requires separation from them
It’s not unusual for children who have separation anxiety disorder to also have a specific fear or phobia or to have generalised anxiety disorder. Adults can also have one or more of the following mental health conditions:
Agoraphobia
A specific phobia
Depression
General anxiety disorder
OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder)
L
Panic disorderl
Personality disorder
PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder)
Social anxiety disorder
Diagnosis and professional help
Diagnosing the condition in children will involve a doctor or paediatrician talking to the child and their parents or caregiver about their symptoms and behaviours. This will help them to ascertain if their symptoms are just part of their development or are symptoms of the disorder.
Adults may be asked to complete a questionnaire so that a doctor can diagnose the condition or any other condition causing their symptoms. They can prescribe medication for anxiety if symptoms are extreme and will refer you to a psychologist or psychotherapist. They can then devise a treatment plan dependant on age and symptoms which can include a variety of therapies. These can include one or a combination of the following:
CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy) can be a very effective therapy to treat separation anxiety disorder. It can help teach a person how to manage and face their fear of separation. It can also help a child’s parents to provide emotional support and encourage them to be more independent.
DBT (dialectical behavioural therapy) is a form of therapy that helps people to find a balance between accepting who they are and being open to change.
Family therapy will not only help family members to understand the condition but to improve relationships within the family.
Written by Jan, Jeana and Wendy at Barnsley Hypnosis and Counselling (UK). For more free Information click above link.
