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What are the symptoms of separation anxiety in children?

One of the most important challenges in the process of children's development is the separation of children from their parents and independence. Because this process occurs in the early years of life, many parents face challenges. For example, working parents who have to leave the child alone with the nurse. Or parents who are faced with preventing the child from sleeping alone. As this process of independence and separation is challenging for parents, it also makes the child anxious. This process needs to be properly managed by parents to avoid harm to the child. And of course, this independence should be done on time because if the child cannot acquire the skill of this separation and independence until he is older, he will face serious problems in social activities, especially at school age. As long as separation anxiety is not severe and parents can manage this process with parenting advice, there is no reason to worry. But if this anxiety is more than normal and continues until older, the child needs to see a psychologist. Because in this case, separation anxiety disorder occurs and parents must definitely treat it.

What is separation anxiety in children?

Dependence and fear of loss are normal in the early years of life, especially for children under two years old. As the child grows, this dependence naturally decreases. But sometimes some children have separation anxiety even at the age of 6 years. Separation anxiety in children is normal, especially in the first separation, and it will be resolved over time. But if this fear and anxiety continues, parents should treat the child. If separation anxiety in children is not treated in time, the child may even refuse to go to school and cannot be present in the community without parents. If left untreated, separation anxiety disorder in children may remain with the child until adulthood and affect his future. In general, separation anxiety disorder in children refers to a person's fear of leaving home or being separated from certain people such as parents. This anxiety should be checked according to the age of the child, to be recognized as a disorder. The approaches that have a great impact on the independence and separation of the child from the parents are largely based on culture. In the western culture, children usually experience this independence earlier, for example, under one year old, they sleep separately from their parents at night. But in some cultures this dependence is more and the separation takes place later. You should know that separation anxiety is temporary and transient, and parents can control and manage this issue by gaining awareness. In the rest of this article, we will get to know the symptoms and treatment methods of separation anxiety disorder in children. If you want to know more about separation anxiety disorder in children, stay with us.

When is the age of normal separation anxiety in a child?

For most children, separation anxiety occurs between the ages of 10 and 18 months and can last until the age of three. This anxiety occurs when you want to leave the child alone to do something with a nurse or someone else. Or make him sleep in a separate room at night. Separation anxiety generally decreases to a great extent by the age of two years. If this anxiety does not improve after the age of two, or if the child shows severe and abnormal reactions, the symptoms of anxiety disorder in the child should be checked well and for this, the child should be referred to a counselor and psychologist.

What are the signs of separation anxiety disorder in children?

Separation anxiety in children has signs and symptoms that parents should refer to a child psychologist for timely diagnosis and treatment. Identifying the signs and symptoms of separation anxiety in children is very important. Because with timely diagnosis, this anxiety disorder will be treated. Some of the signs of separation anxiety in children are as follows:

• Fear of being separated from parents
• Anxiety when thinking about separation from parents
• Fear of sleeping anywhere other than home
• Extreme restlessness, impatience and crying when separated from parents
• Physical pains such as heartache, headache and muscle pains
• Constant worry and fear of loss and death of parents
• Nightmares
• The strong desire of the child to sleep next to the parents
• refusing to go to school

Reasons of separation anxiety in children

Separation anxiety disorder may arise due to stress or a specific incident in the child's life. In general, the factors that cause separation anxiety in children can be divided into several categories:

Stress or loss of an important person in life: such as divorce of parents, death of loved ones, loss of a pet, etc. Genetics and blood history: anxiety disorders may be genetically transmitted to family members.

Environmental incidents: incidents that lead to separation, such as quarantine in the time of Corona.

Parenting method: Another reason for separation anxiety in children may be the parenting method. Parents should know the correct way to deal with separation.

In the rest of this article, stay with us from the health horizon so that we can introduce you more to treatment methods and recommendations for reducing separation anxiety in children.

Treatment of anxiety disorder is not possible without seeing a psychologist, and even without treatment, the child may develop other disorders such as obsessive-compulsive disorder, depression, social anxiety disorder, etc. Therefore, visiting a psychologist is an important step to treat anxiety disorders in children.

After diagnosing separation anxiety in a child, the psychologist identifies the causes of this anxiety and then uses strategies and exercises to treat it. The treatment of separation anxiety disorder in children is done in two ways: drug therapy and psychotherapy. Psychotherapy includes sessions of the therapist working with the child to reduce anxiety. In many cases, both treatment methods are used in parallel. Doctors use anti-anxiety drugs in drug therapy. But you should know that this treatment is temporary and not a long-term solution to treat this disorder.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy or CBT is a type of psychotherapy that is used to eliminate separation anxiety. In this way, the child learns how to face the fear of separation and how to manage his emotions. Also, in this way, parents learn how to support the child and help him in the process of independence. If your child also suffers from separation anxiety disorder, consult a psychologist as soon as possible to treat this anxiety. You can book an appointment with a psychologist by visiting the website of the Oghof Salamat Psychology Clinic.

Treatment of separation anxiety in children at home

In order to treat separation anxiety in children, in addition to treatment by a psychologist, it is necessary for parents to apply some measures so that the treatment of the child can be done properly. Parental support can be very effective in the treatment process. We mention some of these items below:

1. At the same time as professional treatment by a psychologist, parents can receive correct information from the psychologist about their child's separation anxiety disorder. so that they can understand their child and help him in the path of recovery.
2. Try to continue the treatment sessions continuously. Do not take a break between sessions so that the child adapts well to these conditions and the treatment is effective.
3. You must identify the factors that cause and stimulate anxiety in your child. Practice the strategies provided by the therapist and apply them when needed.
4. Reassure the child that his anxiety is temporary and can be cured and encourage him.
5. Listen to your child's feelings; But avoid giving advice.
6. Help the child feel more secure.
Control your anxiety. In such cases, parents may become agitated and anxious due to concern for their child, but it should be noted that controlling this anxiety and not transferring it to the child can be an effective step in the treatment process.
7. One of the important and significant things in the treatment of separation anxiety disorder in children is the accompaniment of parents. An important part of treating separation anxiety in children is the responsibility of parents. In addition to visiting a psychologist on time and putting the child in the treatment process, parents should help the child in all stages. Because children at a young age need the support and companionship of their parents. If the parents do not accompany the child during the treatment process, the treatment will be useless or not have the necessary effectiveness.
Therefore, the treatment of separation anxiety in children requires the patience of parents. Parents should calmly and patiently do the exercises step by step with the child and accompany him in this way.
8. Constant presence and constant communication with the psychologist and counselor helps the parents in doing this task.

Recommendations to reduce separation anxiety in normal children

Sometimes the child does not have symptoms of separation anxiety disorder, or according to the child psychologist, he is not suffering from a disorder and is only in the stage of growth and acceptance of the separation process. You can easily help your child in this process and prevent separation anxiety in the child. For this, it is better to follow the following recommendations:

• Avoid watching violent movies or programs in the presence of your child.
• Practice separation with your child occasionally. For example, take him to his grandmother's house for a short time. (Note that you do not overdo it or force it. Use everything in its balance.)
• Be sure to keep your word and come back at the time you agreed.
• Ask the child to keep his favorite toy or doll with him when you are not with him.
• You can get help from the babysitter for this exercise.
• Encourage the child to do things or accompany him to separate from you.
• Encourage the child to participate in social activities and friendship groups.
• Increase the time of separation from the child gradually and over time.
• Always say goodbye to the child, explain to him where you are going and when you will return.
• Behave normally and don't be emotional in front of the child.

Clinic for the treatment of separation anxiety in children

As we said before, it is not possible to treat anxiety disorder in children without consulting a psychologist, and this anxiety may even remain with the child until adulthood. Therefore, if your child has symptoms of separation anxiety disorder, you should see a child psychologist as soon as possible. If you are looking for a good clinic in the field of treatment of separation anxiety disorder in children, Afogh Salamat Psychology and Counseling Clinic with two branches in Farmaniyeh and Sadeghieh neighborhoods is ready to serve you. The psychologists and counselors of Afogh Salamat Clinic, having expertise in the treatment of separation anxiety in children, can accompany you in this field. Just book an appointment through the website or by phone.

Last word

Fear of separation is one of the growth processes in children. All children at a young age, especially before the age of two, experience the fear of separation from their parents or home. This fear of separation will disappear naturally as the child grows. But if this anxiety is more severe than usual, it will make the child have nightmares, restlessness and worry and severe fear of loss.

Failure to treat separation anxiety disorder in children may cause other disorders. It is possible that this separation anxiety accompanies the child in adulthood and affects his social life. Therefore, parents should start the treatment process as soon as possible by timely and appropriate diagnosis of this disorder in their child. Separation anxiety disorder, like any other psychological disorder, can be easily treated if detected early. But if this treatment is not done on time, it will cause serious damage to the person, which will not be easily solved even in adulthood. There is a need for parents to learn the appropriate ways to deal with a child from a psychologist and help him in this way.

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