Understanding Separation Anxiety Disorder
Separation Anxiety Disorder is a mental health condition characterized by excessive fear or anxiety concerning separation from those to whom an individual is emotionally attached. While it is normal for individuals, especially children, to experience some level of distress when separated from caregivers or loved ones, Separation Anxiety Disorder involves an intensity and duration of anxiety that is beyond what is developmentally appropriate.
Key symptoms of Separation Anxiety Disorder include:
Excessive Anxiety
Individuals with Separation Anxiety Disorder experience excessive and disproportionate anxiety when faced with the anticipation of, or actual, separation from attachment figures. This anxiety is not just limited to the fear of harm or danger befalling the individual but is more about being separated from someone to whom they are emotionally attached.
Avoidance of Separation
Those with this disorder may go to great lengths to avoid being separated from their attachment figures. This avoidance can manifest as refusal to attend school, reluctance to sleep away from home, or avoidance of social activities.
Physical Symptoms
Separation Anxiety Disorder can lead to physical symptoms such as headaches, stomachaches, nausea, or other somatic complaints when separation is imminent or occurring.
Duration
The excessive anxiety and avoidance behavior must persist for at least four weeks in children and adolescents and six months or more in adults to meet the criteria for diagnosis.
Impact on Daily Functioning
The symptoms of Separation Anxiety Disorder can significantly interfere with the individual’s daily life, including their academic, social, and occupational functioning.
While it is more commonly associated with children, Separation Anxiety Disorder can also affect adults. Treatment approaches typically involve psychotherapy, especially cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), to address the underlying fears and coping strategies. In some cases, medications may be considered to alleviate symptoms, under the guidance of a mental health professional.
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