Diagnosing Separation Anxiety Disorder Symptoms of Separation Anxiety disorder in children vary, but common symptoms can include: ·         Clingy behavior and tearfulness on being left alone, or the idea of being left alone ·         Fear that something terrible will happen to their loved ones if they leave ·         Fear of being abandoned – that loved ones will not return ·         Fear that harm will come to them if they are without their family ·         Nightmares and difficulty falling asleep without a familiar person in the room with them ·         ‘Shadowing’ parents and following them around the house, from room to room ·         Refusal to go to school ·         Frequent tantrums when the parent or primary caregiver leaves them in the care of others. ·         Unrealistic fears: such as a fear of the dark, monsters, or burglars ·         Physical symptoms such as headaches or stomachaches that have no physical cause The common age of onset for Separation Anxiety disorder in children is between 7 and 11 years, affecting both girls and boys equally. Although less common, it can also develop in the teenage years. Recent studies have indicated that although the disorder affects as many as 4% of school-going children, the rate of recovery is high (with most children eventually growing out of their Separation Anxiety). However, if Separation Anxiety is left untreated, children suffering with the disorder are at higher risk of developing other related anxiety disorders such as phobias in their adult years. With appropriate treatment, a child can learn to cope with and resolve these excessive fears. Should your child present with these symptoms, a medical practitioner will give him or her a physical examination and obtain a complete medical history to rule out any possible medical conditions that may result in similar symptoms such as thyroid problems or side-effects of some conventional drugs or medication. This may involve blood tests and urine analysis, or other medical checks that your health care professional may deem necessary. If a medical condition is ruled out, you may be referred to a child psychologist or other qualified mental health practitioner who will do further assessments before a diagnosis is made. You will be asked about your child’s developmental history, family history and any other information that is needed. You will also be asked to describe your child’s behavior and the situations in which the anxiety occurs. Other assessment tools such as questionnaires and observations may also be applied. Once a diagnosis is made, be sure to ask about all possible treatment options and explore which ones would best suit your child! While many professionals are quick to recommend prescription drugs, these are not always necessary for a successful recovery and it is important to explore all your options before making any decisions!

What Causes Separation Anxiety Disorder?   Genetics – Children whose parents have an anxiety disorder are more likely to develop Separation Anxiety Disorder than others. This suggests that a tendency towards anxiety may be genetic. Other personality traits may also make a child more susceptible to the disorder - for example shyness. View products related Past Experience and Stress – Certain traumatic past experiences may make a child more vulnerable to the disorder than others. Loss of a loved one as a result of death or divorce, a lengthy hospital stay or other traumatic separation may also ‘teach’ your child that bad things happen and the world is not a safe, constant place. Other stressful life events, especially those involving great change such as moving house or changing school, also seem to increase susceptibility. Learnt behavior – Overly anxious or over-protective parents may inadvertently instill fears in their children. In other cases parents may be practicing poor parenting techniques relating to separation - thus making departures a difficult time for their child. (For example, some parents think that by sneaking off quietly, they avoid making their child anxious when this tends to do the opposite.) Help for Separation Anxiety Disorder Separation anxiety is usually treated with some form of psychotherapy and/or prescription medication - although there is much controversy about putting children on schedule drugs. Alternative treatments for easing separation anxiety such as relaxation and deep breathing techniques as well as herbal and homeopathic remedies may be very helpful along with psychotherapy – and are less harmful to growing children. As with other psychological ailments, a holistic approach has proven beneficial in easing separation anxiety, while also incorporating mainstream and complementary treatments along with balanced diet and exercise.

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