What to Know About Separation Anxiety Treatment

People suffering from separation anxiety disorder experience intense fear and anxiety when they are separated from people to whom they are emotionally attached, such as a parent or loved one, or from their home.

Separation anxiety disorder symptoms are disproportionate to a person's developmental age and cause significant difficulty in daily life. A mental health professional will evaluate a person's symptoms against specific diagnostic criteria and rule out other mental health conditions that could explain the symptoms in order to make a diagnosis. 

Therapies

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is a type of psychotherapy used to treat depression, anxiety disorders, and other mental health issues. The goal of CBT is to teach a person new ways of thinking, behaving, and reacting to situations involving an object or situation that causes anxiety or fear.

CBT has been shown to be an effective treatment for anxiety disorders in children and adolescents, including separation anxiety disorder.

Emotion-focused CBT (ECBT) is a new CBT adaptation designed specifically for children with anxiety disorders. In addition to all of the components of traditional CBT, ECBT addresses the emotion-related deficits that have been identified in children and adolescents with anxiety disorders.

During ECBT treatment, children are exposed to scenarios in which they might feel anxious, as well as scenarios in which they might feel emotions they find difficult to regulate, such as anger. They are then assisted to cope with these emotionally charged situations.

Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) aims to reshape the patterns of interaction between parents and children that are associated with the persistence of symptoms associated with disruptive behaviors.

PCIT has been modified to specifically help treat separation anxiety disorder in young children by incorporating a technique known as Bravery-Directed Interaction (BDI).

BDI involves teaching parents "Dos" and "Don'ts" skills that are tailored to the specific needs of children with separation anxiety disorder, in addition to the creation of a bravery ladder similar to the techniques used in exposure therapy.

Prescription Medications

Because of the risk of side effects, medication is rarely used as the first-line treatment for children with separation anxiety disorder. However, if therapy alone is ineffective, it can be used as part of a treatment plan.

Clinicians may prescribe medications that are not approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of separation anxiety disorder.

Certain antidepressants have been shown to be effective in treating anxiety disorders in children and adolescents, including separation anxiety disorder. They are thought to be more effective when used in conjunction with therapy rather than alone.

Separation anxiety disorder, for example, has a high comorbidity (the presence of two or more disorders) with other mental health disorders. People suffering from anxiety disorders may also suffer from mood disorders such as depression, as well as substance abuse problems.

It is not uncommon for people suffering from separation anxiety disorder to also be treated for other mental health issues.

Alternative Treatments

There has been little research into how complementary health approaches can help people manage anxiety disorders.

There are some alternative treatments that may help with anxiety symptoms, but they should not be used in place of psychotherapy and/or medications.

According to research, practicing meditation may help reduce anxiety and depression.

A 2012 review of 36 trials discovered that 25 reported better outcomes for anxiety symptoms in meditation groups compared to control groups.

It is important to note, however, that most studies only measured improvement in anxiety symptoms, not anxiety disorders as clinically diagnosed.

The Bottom Line 

Separation anxiety disorder can affect children, adolescents, and adults. The symptoms can have a significant impact on a person's life and interfere with their daily activities and relationships.

There are several treatment options for separation anxiety disorder, including various types of therapy, medications, or a combination of the two. Some people may find that alternative treatments, such as meditation, can help them manage their symptoms.

Consult your doctor if you or your child exhibits symptoms of separation anxiety. They may refer them for evaluation to a mental health professional.