Do you have a child with separation anxiety? In this article you will learn how to tell and what you should do if you have a child with separation anxiety.
First, let me define what separation anxiety is. It is a mental condition that begins in early childhood. It is defined by worry that is not consistent to the current situation. Separation anxiety occurs when a child is temporarily going to be away from the home or separated from the loved ones that they are comfortable being around.
It will develop at around 7 months of age once an infant is able to understand that their caregivers will not disappear. This will cause the infant to develop an attachment to those adults that are always present. Separation anxiety is the most common at 10-18 months and will slowly go away around 3 years of age. It will normally results in parents having trouble getting their child into bed and begins to cry or cling to you. Symptoms can include being over anxious about something bad that happened to someone they love or the lose of a loved one. They may not want to go to the babysitter or school, refusing to go to sleep or being overly concerned about being kidnapped.
If you have a child that is experiencing some or all of these symptoms, it is best to talk with a counselor. Only in extreme circumstances will the counselor recommend medication. The counselor can then determine the severity of the separation anxiety. Once the counselor has spoke with the parents, they can recommend the best course of action.
If you are to attempt to solve the problem without the assistance of a counselor, the best course of action is to offer praise. For instance, if you child has difficulty going to their bed at night in fear of being away from you, reward them for going down the hallway or making it in front of their bedroom door. The next night issue the reward for the child going a little further than they did the night before. Reward not punishment will help your child eventually get rid of the separation anxiety.
In conclusion, it is always best to seek the advise of a trained professional. They may even advise that you could help your child without their assistance. Always remember to praise your child for their efforts and reward them for making progress.