How Is Separation Anxiety Disorder Treated?

The heart-wrenching moment when your toddler grabs onto your leg when you drop them off at daycare may come to mind when thinking about separation anxiety. This behavior is normal at this young age and usually improves as they get older and gain more independence.

But what if the feelings of anxiety persist and worsen or affect older kids or adults? When the fear of being apart from a loved one is extreme and affects normal function, then you may have separation anxiety disorder. 

Although often associated with children, separation anxiety disorder affects all ages. While the symptoms are overwhelming, with the right treatment, you can feel better.

At Reviv Functional Psychiatry & TMS Wellness Center in Fullerton, California, our compassionate and highly skilled psychiatrist, Dr. Hina Sidhu, specializes in diagnosing and treating separation anxiety disorder. 

In this month’s blog, we want to discuss this anxiety disorder and how it can be treated.

What is separation anxiety?

The crying, screaming, and temper tantrums your toddler has when you drop them off at daycare is separation anxiety. Although distressing, your child’s behavior is a normal part of their developmental process. 

Toddlers form an attachment to their caretakers and depend on them for every need. When away from their primary caretaker, toddlers fear they won’t return and worry about meeting their needs. The fear and worry gradually subsides once the toddler understands that the separation is temporary, usually by age 3.

However, some children continue to experience anxiety when separated from their loved ones as they enter elementary school. The anxiety may resolve and then reappear during adolescence when they worry about outside forces like an accident or illness that may take their loved one away. Adults may have similar fears and worries.

Separation anxiety is also common when there’s a change in routine. 

When separation anxiety is problematic

It’s normal to worry about loved ones when they’re not around. However, separation anxiety is problematic when symptoms get worse and affect daily life.

Researchers are looking into the cause of the disorder, but many believe that major life changes or traumatic experiences may trigger the condition.

Signs and symptoms of separation anxiety disorder include:

• Severe distress when separated from a loved one
• Fear of being alone
• Unable to go to work or school
• Constant worry about losing a loved one
• Inability to sleep away from home
• Nightmares about separation

Separation anxiety disorder may cause physical symptoms, such as stomach aches or headaches. Some people may even experience panic attacks when apart from a loved one.

If you or someone you love is struggling with any of the above symptoms, now is the time to reach out for help. Our psychiatrist conducts a comprehensive evaluation to determine the source of your symptoms and develop an effective treatment so you can feel better.

Treating separation anxiety disorder

We take a holistic approach to mental health, customizing plans based on age, symptoms, goals, and overall health. No single treatment works for all, and individualized care for separation anxiety gets the best results.

Treatment for separation anxiety disorder may include:

Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy, or talk therapy, is the main treatment for separation anxiety disorder. We use various therapeutic techniques, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), to overcome fears and develop healthy coping mechanisms for stress.

Medication management

We may also prescribe psychiatric medication to alleviate symptoms, such as anti-anxiety drugs or antidepressants. Medications work best when combined with therapy and may only be needed for a short period. 

Separation anxiety disorder is a mental health condition that needs professional care. The sooner you get help, the sooner you’ll feel better. 

If you or someone you love is suffering from separation anxiety disorder, we can help. Call us today at 714-868-8514.