Separation Anxiety Disorder

Separation Anxiety Disorder (or simply separation anxiety ) is a psychological condition in which an individual has excessive anxiety regarding separation from home or from people to whom the individual has a strong emotional attachment (like a mother). When left alone, most dogs find a familiar spot and go to sleep. However, a dog suffering from separation anxiety will become extremely anxious. In many ways, attitudes about babies and separations are cultural. Western countries tend to stress autonomy from a very early age. But in many other cultures, infants are rarely separated from their mother in the first year of life. As time goes by and a child learns to feel safe in a new environment and secure that a parent or caregiver will return after an absence, anxiety over separation should fade. Not understanding where you or your family has gone or if you will ever return, the dog exhibits behavior which may include chewing, barking, salivating, urinating, defecating, vomiting or escape behavior, such as chewing through walls, scratching through doors, busting out of cages or digging under fences if left outdoors. Practice leaving and returning several times a day until he gets used to your departures and realizes that you are not abandoning him forever. Gradually leave for longer and longer periods of time, but start out by leaving for just 5 minutes and returning again.

It is often seen in children when they first begin attending school, but can occur at all ages and in many situations,it is very often that when mommy koala throw their babys out of the bed branch they experience seperation anxiety. This is when babies typically start to play the "dropsy" game, when they drop things over the side of the high chair, look for them, and expect the adult to retrieve what they've dropped (which, once retrieved, get dropped again!). These children may suffer from a paralyzing fear of leaving the safety of their parents and home. The child's panic and refusal to go to school is very difficult for parents to cope with, but these fears and behavior can be treated successfully, with professional help. Children can be anxious and become emotional when a parent or primary caregiver leaves but can be distracted by activities with the caregiver or other children. Once a puppy is separated from its family group, it becomes attached to its owner. However, when a dog becomes overly dependent on its owner, problem behaviours may result. The intensity of her feeling as she hurtles into your arms is irresistible, especially when you realize that no one, including your child herself, will ever again think you are quite as perfect as she does at this age. On the other hand, you may feel suffocated by her constant clinging, while experiencing guilt whenever you leave her crying for you. Fortunately, this emotional roller coaster eventually will subside along with her separation anxiety.

Causes of Separation Anxiety Disorder

The common Causes of Separation anxiety :

• A scary event that the child experiences personally (such as an earthquake) or hears about (e.g., a child abduction).
• Separation anxiety disorder is often precipitated by change or stress in the child's life and daily routine, such as a move, death or illness of a close relative or pet, starting a new school, a traumatic event, or even a return to school after summer vacation.
• Stress in the family (such as a pending divorce, serious illness or death of a family member or beloved pet).
• Evidence suggests a genetic link between separation anxiety disorders in children and a history of panic disorder , anxiety, or depression in their parents. Infants with anxious temperaments may have a predisposition toward later development of anxiety disorders.
• A significant change (such as a new nanny, birth of a new sibling, or starting at a new school)
• Symptoms of separation anxiety disorder may be exacerbated by a change in routine, illness, lack of adequate rest, a family move, or change in family structure (such as death, divorce, parent illness, birth of a sibling).

Symotoms of Separation Anxiety Disorder

Some common Symotoms of Separation anxiety :

• Persistent reluctance or refusal to go to school or elsewhere because of fear of separation.
• Repeated physical complaints.
• Persistently and excessively fearful or reluctant to be alone or without major attachment figures at home or without significant adults in other settings
• Nightmares with separation-related themes.
• Reluctance to go to sleep without the significant adult nearby.
• Homesickness.
• Lightheadedness,.
• Nausea.
• Vomiting ,
• Muscle aches,
• Repeated nightmares involving the theme of separation.

Treatment of Separation Anxiety Disorder

• Treatment for certain cases may involve individual psychotherapy, family education, and family therapy.
• For older children, effective treatments may include counseling for the parents and child, changes in parenting techniques, and anti-anxiety medications.
• Antidepressant medications may be used to treat severe cases of separation anxiety disorder.
• Cognitive-behavior therapy, specifically desensitization, has been shown to be effective, especially in helping the child or adolescent return to normal daily function.