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Fitango EducationHealth Topics

Separation Anxiety

1

Overview

Separation anxiety is a developmental stage

during which the child experiences anxiety when

separated from the primary caregiver (usually the mother).

2

Overview

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001542.htm

3

Causes

As infants develop, they experience various

emotions, usually in a predictable order. Before 8 months, infants are so new

to the world that they have little knowledge of what is ordinary and what may

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Causes

be dangerous, so new situations or experiences seem usual, and not frightening.

In normal development, during this early

period the infant becomes familiar with the home environment, and feels

comfortable when parents or other known caretakers are present. After this

5

Causes

time, lack of familiarity often produces fear because the infant recognizes

that something unusual is going on.

From 8 - 14 months, children often become

frightened when they meet new people or visit new places. They recognize their

6

Causes

parents as familiar and safe. When separated from their parents, particularly

when away from home, they feel threatened and unsafe.

Separation anxiety is a normal

developmental stage. It helped keep our ancestors alive and helps children

7

Causes

learn how to master their environment.

It usually ends when the child is around 2

years old. At this age, toddlers begin to understand that parents may be out of

sight now, but will return later. There is also a normal desire to test their

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Causes

independence.

To get over separation anxiety, children

must:

-- Feel safe in their home environment

-- Trust people other than their parents

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Causes

-- Trust that their parents will return

Even after children have successfully

mastered this developmental stage, separation anxiety may return during periods

of stress. Most children will experience some degree of separation anxiety when

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Causes

in unfamiliar situations, especially when separated from their parents.

When children are in situations (such as

hospitals) and are experiencing stress (such as illness or pain), they seek the

safety, comfort, and protection of their parents. When parents cannot be with

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Causes

their children in these situations, the children experience distress.

This is why it is important to stay with

your child as much as is possible during any medical procedures. Your presence

can actually reduce the amount of pain the child experiences, as anxiety of any

12

Causes

kind makes pain worse.

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001542.htm

13

Symptoms

-- Excessive distress when separated from the

primary caregiver

-- Nightmares

-- Reluctance to go to school or other places

14

Symptoms

because of fear of separation

-- Reluctance to go to sleep without the

primary caregiver nearby

-- Repeated physical complaints

-- Worry about losing or harm coming to the

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Symptoms

primary caregiver

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001542.htm

16

Treatment

No treatment is necessary for ordinary

separation anxiety.

Parents can help their infant or toddler

learn to adjust to their absence by letting trusted caregivers babysit the

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Treatment

child. This helps the child learn to trust and bond with other adults and

understand that their parents will return.

If medical procedures are needed while a

child is in this stage, it is helpful for a parent to go with the child

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Treatment

whenever possible. When a parent cannot come with the child, exposing the child

to the situation beforehand is helpful; for example, visiting the doctor's

office before a test. When this is not possible, the child may display severe

19

Treatment

anxiety by crying, resisting treatment, begging, and screaming.

Some hospitals provide Child Life

specialists who can explain procedures and medical conditions to children of

all ages. If your child is particularly anxious and needs significant medical

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Treatment

care, it may help to ask your health care provider about such services.

When separation from parents is necessary,

but exposing the child to it beforehand is not possible (such as for surgical

treatment), many physicians will recommend the child take mild sedating or

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Treatment

tranquilizing medications to help reduce the trauma.

Explain the situation and experience to the

child and assure him or her that a parent is waiting, and specifically, where

the parent is waiting.

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Treatment

For older children who have not outgrown

separation anxiety within the normal developmental timetable or who have

regressed to it under stress, effective treatments may include:

-- Anti-anxiety medications

23

Treatment

-- Changes in parenting techniques

-- Counseling for the parents and child

-- Treatment for severe cases may include:

-- Family education

-- Family therapy

24

Treatment

-- Individual psychotherapy

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001542.htm