Anxiety In Children - Separation Anxiety In Children And Adolescents

The anxiety disorder basically develops as a result of matters due to separation from one's home, belongings or separation from the people to whom an individual is attached. Normally the case of such anxiety disorder occurring in children or adolescents, that is, before or at the age of 18, lasting a month or so, this disorder is responsible for causing substantial distress leading to social, academic or occupational impairment. This condition is basically marked by extreme brooding, persistent worry about losing or constantly fear of harm befalling a loved one, and a continuous fear or reluctance to be alone.

Occurrence of nightmares showing separation from loved ones especially the parents or family, along with repeated complaints of physical disorders such as headache, stomachache, nausea or vomiting are all symptoms of Separation Anxiety Disorder. Separation Anxiety Disorder among children can also continue in adulthood. The only mental change in the adult version is that, during the later stages, it may culminate into a Panic disorder or Agoraphobia or both. These types of disorders are caused due to many physiological factors such as an abnormality in the part of the brain which helps it recognize the amount of carbon dioxide in the blood, fooling it to believe that the amount of oxygen that the brain is getting isn't enough. This disordered condition actually leads to an adrenaline rush, which thereby leads to all these symptoms. These psychic disorders can also be inherited, which means some people have them in their genes. Parents with chronic alcohol related problems can also make the child more vulnerable to this disorder.

The best way to deal with this type of anxiety disorder is to give the child medical attention along with some psychological treatment. The child should gradually be exposed to the outer world and should be encouraged to mingle with the children of the same age. These children should also properly be counseled to adopt a positive attitude and eliminate bad thoughts that may worsen the attacks. Also these children must be taught certain type of relaxation as well as breathing exercises to calm themselves, whenever they feel uneasy. These modern therapeutic techniques, along with tranquilizers and anti-depressants taken in a regulated manner and under professional supervision, can help in getting over this disorder.

Healthy kids for the most part are normally dependant on their parent's ability to lead by example and provide a healthy home life with a variety of situations. It is through these varied life experiences that normal children learn to develop the self confidence, independence and interdependence on others outside their direct family.

There are a number of causes of separation anxiety in children. But the fact is not that anything or any matter regarding a child is easy or can be easily broken down into a set of rules that work with every child. Each child is different and as a parent of 8 with 4 adopted at various ages, the family knows first hand that what works for one child doesn't necessarily work for another. Children are not born with a sense of major mental attachment but more with a sense of wanting to be secure.

• Felicia Byrnes
• 09/03/2009, 10:59 PM
• 0 Comments