Can An Adult Suffer From Separation Anxiety Disorder?
It is estimated that between 1% and 5% of children and adolescents who attend psychiatric consultation suffer from separation anxiety disorder, a figure that can increase considerably if we take into account undiagnosed cases. However, separation anxiety disorder is not just a thing for children, adults can also suffer from it. In fact, it is estimated that Between 30-60% of children who have suffered from this disorder continue to have adaptive, anxious and/or social difficulties in adulthood.
Although it is a problem that is often overlooked and that, in many cases, tends to be confused with emotional dependence, the truth is that it can become a disabling disorder and/or affect the functional development of the person. daily life of people who suffer from it. Fortunately, it is an alteration that can be overcome with appropriate therapy returning to the person the ability to enjoy life more fully and autonomously.
According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-V), separation anxiety disorder is nothing more than the intense and persistent fear or anxiety caused by probable or actual separation from a person with whom you are involved. There is a close psychological bond. In other words, it is a type of psychological discomfort that appears when faced with the possibility of separating from an attachment figure with whom you maintain a strong emotional bond. That is why it is so common in childhood, a stage in which there is greater vulnerability and psychological dependence.
For those who suffer from this disorder, the idea of being alone generates a feeling of abandonment and insecurity, which It causes them great psychological distress and enormous worry and uncertainty. For this reason, they often refuse to stay home alone and/or have to go to other places such as school or work for fear of separating from the other person and feeling abandoned. In many cases, separation anxiety also manifests itself with psychosomatic symptoms, causing headache, dizziness, gastrointestinal discomfort or lightheadedness, which appear upon actual or anticipated separation from the attachment figure.
Yes, separation anxiety disorder affects adults too
We usually think that separation anxiety disorder affects only children, but the truth is that adults can also suffer from it. In fact, a study conducted by psychology professionals involving 38,993 adults from 18 countries found that 43.1% of cases of separation anxiety usually manifest after the age of 18.
Although many cases of separation anxiety in adulthood are related to other psychological disorders such as anxiety, major depression, bipolar disorder, ADHD, conduct disorders, panic disorders or specific and social phobias , can also occur due to an overprotective family environment in childhood in which the individual grows up thinking that the world is unsafe and dangerous. It is also common among insecure people or people with low self-esteem who have a great emotional dependence.
Likewise, it is known that The disorder may develop after a stressful life event , such as emancipation from the parental home, maternity or paternity or the loss of someone loved. In these cases, the affected person may develop greater vulnerability and psychological dependence on their environment due to the fear of facing an unsafe world alone and/or losing someone with whom they have a strong emotional bond. A dependency and emotional vulnerability that, if not overcome over time, can accentuate the symptoms and perpetuate the disorder.
How does separation anxiety disorder manifest in adults?
The manifestations of separation anxiety disorder are usually quite similar in childhood and adulthood, obviously adapting to the psychological development of each stage. While children who suffer from the disorder tend to show more irrational behavior and greater emotional reactivity, adults tend to control their emotions better and experience discomfort more intrinsically. Some of the most common symptoms of separation anxiety disorder in adults are:
It should be noted that, although to diagnose separation anxiety disorder in childhood, at least three of these symptoms must be manifested for at least four weeks, in the case of adults they must persist for six months or more at the same time they must be accompanied by clinically significant discomfort and/or a deterioration in one or more areas of functioning, whether in the work, family or social sphere.
6 tips for dealing with separation anxiety disorder as an adult
Whether you temporarily develop separation anxiety disorder as a result of a trauma or exceptional circumstance or suffer from it chronically, There are different psychological therapies that can help you eliminate the symptoms and address the causes that are at the base of the disorder. Some of the most used are cognitive-behavioral therapy and dialectical behavioral therapy, but group or family therapy or the use of anxiolytic or antidepressant medications can also be used.
Given that anxiety disorder usually occurs with other psychological disorders, it is best to consult a psychology professional with whom you can learn to reorient your focus and acquire functional resources to face the new path.
In milder cases, there are some simple and easy-to-implement resources that can help you face those feelings of insecurity and abandonment and alleviate your emotional discomfort:
1. Recognize and accept what happens to you
The first step to be able to deal with separation anxiety disorder and get rid of that uncertainty and insecurity is precisely to recognize what is happening to you. It is important that you are aware of the sensations and emotions you experience when separating from the other person and accept them. Only in this way will you be prepared to get to work.
2. Be honest with the other person
Talk to the other person and tell them what is happening to you Not only will it help you lighten the enormous emotional burden you carry on your shoulders, but it will make you feel more understood. This way, you will feel more supported and you will be able to channel your negative thoughts with someone who really understands you. In fact, it may also be a good idea to create a routine or action plan together that will help you better deal with the separation.
Keeping your mind occupied with other activities while you are away from your attachment figure can be an excellent resource for relieving anxiety and emotional discomfort. To do this, choose activities that require a certain level of concentration and that give you positive feelings, such as playing your favorite sport, reading a book or doing crafts. The practice of yoga, meditation or mindfulness are also good options.
4. Change negative thoughts into positive ones
Ruminate over and over again on your fears and negative thoughts about what may happen to the other person or to yourself If you are left alone it will only increase your discomfort and feeling of insecurity. Therefore, it is important that you learn to recognize these ideas and change them into positive thoughts. For example, instead of thinking “What if he has an accident on the plane?”, you could think “In a few days he will be back safe and sound.”
5. Breathe to calm anxiety
Did you know that the rhythm of your breathing influences your anxiety level? This is because your breathing directly influences your brain activity, exerting an activating or relaxing effect on your mind. Therefore, a good resource to calm your anxiety and control negative thoughts about separation is to practice gentle and rhythmic breathing exercises that help you relax tensions and regain control of your mind.
6. Strengthen your self-esteem
When you feel insecure, you don’t trust your abilities and you feel like you need another person to be who you are , you become increasingly more dependent and have a harder time separating from your attachment figure. Therefore, if you want to put an end to this vicious circle, start by strengthening the image you have of yourself, be aware that you do not need anyone to complete you, and trust in your abilities.
Concluding
Finally, if you notice that your separation anxiety symptoms are not improving or are getting worse, It is best to seek professional help and resort to online or in-person therapy. Walking this path with a psychologist will not only help you discover the causes underlying the disorder, but will also allow you to find the most appropriate and effective treatment for your case.
