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Separation Anxiety Disorder
WHAT YOU SHOULD
KNOW
Between the ages of 8 months and 2 years, it's normal for
a child to cry when its mother leaves the room or a stranger
enters it. Neither overprotection nor constant punishment will
change the situation. It's a natural stage that usually passes
on its own.
If, however, an older child continues to react to
potential separations with unreasonable fear, professional help
may be needed. If the problem isn't resolved, it can damage the
child's self image, leading to teenage and adult emotional
problems.
Causes
Separation anxiety disorder may run in families. It is
most likely to affect shy, nervous children. The disorder is
often triggered by a major change in the child's life, such as
a death or hospitalization, the parents' separation or divorce,
a new school, or a move.
Signs/Symptoms
Children with this disorder express their anxiety in a
variety of ways:
-
Screaming or temper tantrums
when left with others
-
Insistence on sleeping with
parents in their room
-
Difficulty going to
sleep
-
Fear of the
dark
-
Nightmares
-
Fear of sleeping away from
home
-
Difficulty settling
down
-
Fear of meeting new
people
-
Clinging to parents at
home
-
Following parents from room
to room
-
Worrying about the family's
safety in the home
-
Fear of going to
school
-
Headaches, bellyaches, or
body aches when a separation approaches
-
Sadness
-
Quietness
-
Lack of
concentration
Care
This disorder poses the threat of a vicious circle in
which the child's dependence and the parents' protectiveness
reinforce and amplify each other. For that reason, both the
parents and the child may need to see a counselor. If the
youngster refuses to go to school, an immediate priority is to
arrange a return as quickly as possible.
Risks
If this problem isn't successfully resolved, it can lead
to greater emotional problems, such as depression, as the child
grows older.
WHAT YOU SHOULD
DO
-
Try to prepare the child for
a change such as a divorce or a move. Talk openly about
such changes and encourage him to voice his worries. Give
reassurance that everyone will be safe.
-
Discuss the problem with the
child's teachers. They may be able to give you tips for
dealing with this disorder both at home and at
school.
-
Praise and reward the child
for overcoming his fears.
Call Your Doctor
If...
-
The child can't
sleep.
-
You fear you will lose
patience with the child.
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