Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment

Separation Anxiety What is separation Anxiety? What age is this most

common in? About what percentage of

all school children experience separation anxiety?

Separation Anxiety• Separation anxiety disorder is a medical

condition that is characterized by significant distress when a person is away from parents, another caregiver, or home.

• Separation anxiety is most common between the ages of 5-7 and 11-14 - when kids have to deal with new challenges in elementary and middle school.

• Separation anxiety occurs in about 10-15% of all school aged children at some time and some degree

Separation Anxiety• Healthy separation anxiety is

typically first seen around 8-10 months. Often called stranger anxiety

• Children also may become mildly anxious around 18-24 months when they are starting to explore the world more yet wanting the security of caregiver.

Separation Anxiety

What are the symptoms of separation anxiety?

Separation Anxiety

Symptoms of separation anxiety include:• Stomach aches• Headaches• Shakiness or trembling• Rapid Heart rate• Sweating• Revved up respiration

Separation Anxiety

Symptoms of separation anxiety cont. • Excessive worry that something bad will

happen to their parents or themselves• Diarrhea• Vomiting• Tantrums• Clinging• Refusing to be left alone

Separation Anxiety

At home other symptoms may be seen:• Refusal or reluctance to participate in

ordinary outings or activities

• Difficulty sleeping alone

• Scary dreams about being separated

Separation Anxiety

At school other symptoms may be seen:• Avoidance of activities• Low Self-esteem• Difficulty concentrating• Learning disorders and cognitive

problems which are often overlooked• Behavioral or cognitive effects from

medication

Separation Anxiety Children may certainly not exhibit all of the symptoms.

They will not complain about being anxious, but instead say “My stomach hurts” or “I have a headache.”

Separation Anxiety First day jitters are normal.

Particular traits and temperaments make some children more prone to having separation anxiety. What might some of these traits and temperaments be?

Separation Anxiety

What causes separation anxiety?

Separation Anxiety Sensitive children are more prone to separation anxiety or anxiety in general

Parent in the household with anxiety increases child’s chances of developing separation anxiety

Separation Anxiety First day of school – child is stressed

Stomach ache, headache occurs after being alone at school

Day two child remembers the feelings from the previous day and starts to anticipate the feelings happening again.

This results in anxiety forming around the act of going to school

Separation Anxiety

How long does separation anxiety last?

Separation AnxietyMost children do adjust eventually.

Depends on the childKids learn from parents If parents are late …

Separation Anxiety Rule of thumb:• If the child is not adjusting within a month of starting school, seek help

• Assistance from teacher or guidance counselor to help team up and calm the child

Separation Anxiety

How do you treat separation anxiety??

Separation Anxiety For Parents:• Encourage independence early• Learn to calm yourself• Explain what is happening to the child• Teach children how to calm themselves

Separation Anxiety Psychological Interventions• Counseling can help children and

caregivers understand the cause of symptoms as opposed to being seen as having a flawed attitude or personality.

• Counseling can reduce the impact of symptoms on daily life.

• Help parents with specific needs for a child

Separation Anxiety Individual psychotherapy• Generally recommended as the first line of treatment• Can help reduce symptoms and allow children to

express feelings as well as to allow caregivers the chance to express feelings of self-blame

Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT)• Can teach young people new skills to reduce

anxiety when separating from a caregiver• In CBT the child is helped to become aware of and

to describe negative thoughts, feelings or reactions.

• The clinician guides the child to think of new, more positive alternatives.

Separation AnxietyParent Guidance SessionsCan help parents to manage their child’s illness, identify effective parenting skills, learn how to function as a family despite the illness, and to address feelings that arise when raising a child with the disorder.

Group PsychotherapyProvides a safe place to talk with other kids who have the same issues

School-based counselingProvides guidance on how to navigate the social,

behavioral, and academic demands of the school setting

Separation Anxiety

Biological Interventions (Medication) Antidepressants