Separation Anxiety Disorder in Children
What is Separation Anxiety Disorder?
Separation Anxiety Disorder is a mental health disorder characterised by a child becoming extremely fearful and anxious when separated from a loved one - usually a parent, more than would be expected for their age.
Separation anxiety is normal in very young children. Most children between the ages of 18 months and 3 years old experience separation anxiety to some degree. Crying, tantrums, or clinginess are normal reactions in early childhood. The difference between normal separation anxiety and Separation Anxiety Disorder is the intensity of the child’s fears, and their fears keep them from doing normal activities. If separation anxiety is excessive enough to interfere with normal activities, like going to school or playing with other children, and lasts for several weeks, it is likely a sign of a Separation Anxiety Disorder.
Symptoms of Separation Anxiety Disorder
Listed below are common symptoms of Separation Anxiety Disorder:
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Excessive distress when anticipating or experiencing separation from parent or leaving home.
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Excessive worry about losing a parent or possible harm to them.
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Excessive worry about an event that could cause separation from parent (e.g. getting lost, kidnapped, becoming ill, or having an accident).
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Reluctance or refusal to go out, away from home, to school, or elsewhere because of fear of separation.
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When at school, constantly ask for parent and want to go home.
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Fearful and reluctant to be alone or without parent.
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Panic or temper tantrum at times of separation from parent or home.
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Complain of headaches or stomach aches when separated from parent or home.
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Repeated nightmares about separation.
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Very clingy to parent, even when at home, may shadow parent around the house.
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Refuse to sleep on their own or sleep at other people’s places without their parent.
Causes of Separation Anxiety Disorder
There is no single cause of separation anxiety, rather it is believed to result from a combination of genetic and environmental factors.
Factors that can increase a child’s risk of suffering separation anxiety include:
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Genetics: Family history of anxiety. Inherited inhibited or timid temperament can over time develop into anxiety.
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Brain chemistry: An overactive amygdala, the part of the brain that controls the fear response. Biochemical changes or imbalances in the brain that regulate mood.
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Stressful or traumatic events. Experiencing stressful or traumatic events, such as loss of a loved one, parent divorce/separation, moving house, changing school, car accident, house fire/burglary, serious personal injury/illness. These things can throw a child’s world off balance, and make them feel threatened or insecure.
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Learned behaviour: Parents or other family members who exhibit anxiety can role model this behaviour. Parent and child can sometimes feed off each other's anxiety.
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Parenting style: Overprotective or controlling parenting can limit a child's opportunities to learn how to cope in new situations and with new people.
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Insecure attachment. The attachment bond is the emotional connection formed between a child and their primary caretaker. Insecure attachment develops when a caregiver is unable to consistently meet a child's emotional needs, this can lead the child to feel insecure, and fear being separated from their caregiver.
Treatment for Separation Anxiety
Separation anxiety disorder is treatable. Support from a teacher can be of great assistance. Also, seek professional help from a psychologist, counsellor, paediatrician, or GP.
If left untreated, separation anxiety disorder can lead to mental health concerns such as general anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, and/or depression.
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