Living with Adult Separation Anxiety
What is Separation Anxiety?
Separation anxiety is most commonly associated with children, but it can also affect adults. The American Psychological Association (APA) defines separation anxiety disorder as an excessive fear of separation from home or from those to whom the individual is attached. This condition is most common in children between the ages of 7 and 9, but it can also affect adults; the APA estimates that about 4% of adults have separation anxiety. If you live with separation anxiety, it may look like excessive fear or distress when separated from a loved one or a significant attachment figure. This fear can be so intense that it interferes with daily life and can lead to a number of physical and emotional symptoms.
Adults with separation anxiety may have a hard time leaving home, going to work or school, or even going out to run errands. For example, you might feel intensely unsettled thinking about leaving a safe person or space that sometimes you choose to stay home or by your attachment figure. You may also experience physical symptoms such as headaches, stomachaches, and fatigue, as well as emotional symptoms such as depression, anxiety, and irritability. In some cases, these symptoms can be so severe that they lead to social isolation and difficulty in maintaining relationships.
Why Does It Happen?
The causes of separation anxiety disorder in adults are not fully understood, but it is believed that it can be caused by a combination of genetic, environmental, and psychological factors. For example, people who have had a traumatic experience, such as the loss of a loved one, may be more susceptible to separation anxiety. Similarly, people who have had a difficult childhood or who have experienced a significant loss in adulthood may also be at a greater risk for developing separation anxiety. It is important to remember that having separation anxiety as an adult is not a reflection of you as a human being. It does not make you ‘less than’ anybody else - it simply means that your body craves safety, and has associated any distance from your safe person/place as extreme threats to that safety.
What Can Be Done?
The treatment for separation anxiety in adults usually involves a combination of therapy and medication. Therapy can help in healing any fears associated with being separated from a safe person or place, and it can also help learning how to manage the anxiety in healthy and appropriate ways. Medications such as antidepressants and anti-anxiety medication may also be prescribed in conjunction with therapy to support in that journey.
In addition, various strategies can also be helpful in managing separation anxiety disorder. One strategy is mindfulness and relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing, yoga, or meditation, which can help to reduce feelings of anxiety and stress. Another strategy is visualization and imagery, which can help people to visualize themselves in calm and peaceful situations.
Separation anxiety disorder is not just limited to children and adolescents, adults can suffer from it too. It's important to be aware of the symptoms and seek help if you or someone you know is experiencing them. Separation anxiety isn’t something to be embarrassed of, but rather treated with care and kindness. It is possible to manage separation anxiety disorder with the help of therapy, medication, and coping strategies, so don't be afraid to reach out for help.
If you think you may be living with separation anxiety and would like to figure out healthy ways to manage it, please contact us to schedule a free consultation.