Separation Anxiety Disorder (SAD) is a prevalent childhood anxiety condition. It is an intensified version of normal developmental anxiety, characterised by excessive worry, concern, and fear about actual or anticipated separation from a figure such as a parent or caregiver.
Symptoms of Separation Anxiety Disorder:
Overwhelming concern about harm to a figure such as a parent or caregiver.
Trouble being away from parents or loved ones.
Constantly checking on the whereabouts and wellbeing of attachment figures.
Difficulty falling asleep without the attachment figure nearby or sleeping in their bed.
Severe tantrums or emotional outbursts when separation occurs.
Trouble focusing on tasks or activities due to preoccupation with fears of separation.
Around 4% of children aged 7 to 11 have SAD, affecting boys and girls equally. Additionally, 50-75% of children with separation anxiety come from low socioeconomic status households. Around 75% of children who have SAD do not attend school. Around 1.6% of adolescents experience SAD, with it being more prevalent among younger teens. Approximately 3.9% of adolescents aged 12 to 14 are affected, compared to about 1.3% of those aged 14 to 16.
Coping mechanisms:
Create comforting rituals for saying goodbye, such as a special handshake or a reassuring phrase.
Start with short separations and gradually increase the amount of time separated.
Reassure your child that they will be okay without you
Stay calm and positive during the separation
Use a reward system to encourage positive behaviour during separations.
Teach relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, or visualisation.
Therapy options:
Art therapy is especially beneficial for young children due to its nonverbal and expressive nature. It allows them to express feelings through drawing and painting.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a commonly used and highly effective treatment for separation anxiety. CBT helps people to understand and change their thoughts and behaviours that contribute to anxiety. Therapists collaborate with individuals to challenge these negative thoughts and replace them with more realistic and positive ones.
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