Separation Anxiety Disorder

Treating Separation Anxiety In Children 

Separation anxiety can be selective in the sense that not all children feel this and that not both parents can be the object of a child's anxiety.

Causes Of Separation Anxiety

This disorder is caused by the realization of the child that his parents are not constantly at his side. At this time, around a year or so old, the child realizes that some things, parents included, still exist even when they are out of his sight. This realization sparks separation anxiety. The child has no assurance that the parent or parents will return or he feels that the absence of the parent has been too long before and will feel anxious when the parent tries to go again. Separation anxiety when the parent is not there is a phase in toddlers that resolves itself as the child understands that his parents return after a few hours and when he or she perceives time.

Separation anxiety can also be caused by trauma to the child such as losing one parent or relative, the upheaval of attending school for the first time or any emotional or psychological trauma like being uprooted from a familiar place. The separation anxiety that occurs in school age children often follows these events. Separation anxiety in preschool is most common due to the new routine of school and new faces of teachers and classmates.

Treating The Disorder

Treating separation anxiety can require some patience on the part of the parents. Reassurances are the best way to console your child regarding this disorder and it is best to keep to one's word when a certain time is set to pick up the child. It is advisable to be firm when the child starts to be clingy and throws a tantrum. The situation should improve after two or three weeks. If the separation anxiety does not improve after a few weeks, scrutinize your child's reaction to the separation. There may be other causes of separation anxiety other than the separation such as a school bully or a strict teacher.

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