How Would You Help Kids With Separation Anxiety Disorder?
Have you ever saw a child that cling to her mommy or daddys leg when he is being left with a nanny? Probably, you might have noticed how the kid cries his heart out while trying to grip tightly to mom and dad. This is what they call separation anxiety disorder. This is an intense fear of being separated from parents, other family members or caregivers. This is really a serious matter especially if the child is old enough to be independent. Children with this disorder have this fear of losing their family member or they think that something not good would happen if they were separated from these persons. Though there is a normal separation anxiety among children that are toddlers and infants, separation anxiety disorder happens to children that with school age. Their reaction towards the situation can be exaggerated as well as could interfere with their normal life as a child. Studies shows that there are actually 4 % of children with the age of 6 to 12 that are affected with separation anxiety disorder. Children with this disorder tend to be just with their family members; they isolate themselves from other kids and have difficulty gaining and maintaining friendships with other kids. And if the kid would not want to go to school, of course their studies would be affected seriously. If this is not treated right away, it can actually lead to panic disorder, social anxiety disorder or a serious school phobia. Also, children with this disorder will affect the childs future especially with loving and trusting others.
One cause of separation anxiety disorder is a traumatic event that a child could have experienced. This may includes situations that the kid feared the most like earthquake or hearing news about kidnapping, a divorce in the family and death of a relative or even pets. Also, a kid could suffer from this disorder if parents are working so far way that kids feared being separated from these family members. Also as a kid, changing a nanny or having a new sibling or going to school could have big impact on the behavior of the kid. You would know right away if a kid suffers from this disorder when they complain of physical symptoms when a family member is about to go. They might say that they have headaches, toothaches or stomachaches. Does that ring a bell when you have your first day at school? If your kid is manifesting these symptoms for more than 4 weeks for a 5 year old child, then, it could be time to go and seek the help of a doctor. It is important to get early cure so that your kid would not be bringing these fears while he is growing up. |
