Separation Anxiety in Adults: Exploring Causes, Symptoms, and Management Options
By Dr. Nayana Shetty +2 more
Medically reviewed by Dr. Nayana Shetty
Last updated: Jun 21, 2024Click to rate this article!
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By Dr. Nayana Shetty +2 more
Medically reviewed by Dr. Nayana Shetty
Last updated: Jun 21, 2024Table of Contents
While we often link separation anxiety disorder (SAD) with kids, adults can get it too. When they face the real thought of parting from loved ones like family, partners, or pets, they get scared and start worrying. Such anxiety can disrupt work, social life, and overall wellness. This article guides you through the roots, signs, and management options for adult separation anxiety. It lends useful thoughts on how to deal with this hard condition.
We’ll also look into how separation anxiety affects adults and kids. Lastly, we will discuss commonly asked questions regarding this topic.
Did you know?
Separation anxiety is not limited to just kids, adults can have it too. The main difference between the two age groups is due to the stage of growth and how bad the symptoms can get.
For kids, separation anxiety forms part of their emotional growth. It usually eases as they become older and more sure of handling separations. Adult separation anxiety becomes a mental health issue as it brings lots of stress and affects their daily life.
Kids show their fears and anguishes through crying, fits, or being clingy. Adults may show signs such as worrying a lot, avoiding situations that need separation, and having bodily symptoms like headaches and nausea when they think about time away from loved ones.
Child separation anxiety lessens with age and growth. Adult separation anxiety remains and affects daily life. If left untreated, the resulting anxiety and stress can lead to further problems.
Adult separation anxiety shows a similar set of emotions to kids but on a long-term and serious scale. Key emotional signs to watch out for are as follows.
Adults with separation anxiety worry a lot about losing their loved ones or being apart from them. They might have disturbing thoughts or negative ideas about separation.
People with SAD may form a unique bond with their loved ones that keeps them from dealing with separations well. They can see certain objects, areas, or routines as a way to comfort and secure themselves.
Scary moments of fear or panic can be brought about thinking of separation or awaiting to spend time away from loved ones resulting in fast heartbeats, not able to breathe easily, chest pains, and other physical signs.
Did you know that humans are not the only ones who suffer from separation anxiety? Dogs can experience separation anxiety from their owners too. This can lead to behaviours like barking a lot, going to the bathroom inside the house even when they’re trained not to, and chewing or destroying things in the house. It’s one of the most common behavior problems that vets see in dogs.
Dr. Siddharth Gupta, B.A.M.S, M.D
Behavioural signs of adult separation anxiety cause harm to daily life or bring disruptions. Some examples of it are as follows.
Those struck with separation anxiety may steer clear of conditions or actions that need parting from their loved ones, such as trips, chasing career options away from home, or going to social events without their loved one.
Regular routines and duties, like work, school, or house chores, may become hard for people with SAD, as they find it hard to concentrate and stay productive when filled with worry of possible separation.
Sleep patterns might be influenced by separation anxiety, which can result in the following problems.
Bad dreams based around separation, losing something, or leaving can become a regular problem, hurting their sleep quality and emotional health.
Hard time falling asleep or staying asleep due to troubling thoughts and extreme anxiety about being away from loved ones might harm daily tasks and bring about constant stress.
You may have a genetic link to SAD. If your family has a history of anxiety or other mental health issues, your chances of getting separation anxiety become higher.
Your early life can have long-term effects on your mental health and may link to adult separation anxiety. Examples of such events are as follows.
Hard experiences like the death of a loved one, mistreatment, or other hard times can leave a mark and increase the risk of SAD later in life.
Growing up with very safe or controlling parents may stop a kid’s growth in coping with tough times and foster dependency, which could lead to adult separation anxiety.
Big life changes, namely those involving parting from loved ones or changes in relationships, can set off separation anxiety.
Moving away from home for education or work might set off separation anxiety in those who have a hard time adapting to change and dealing with their emotions alone.
The end of a relationship, a breakup or the death of a partner can result in intense loss and worry feelings, making existing tendencies towards SAD worse.
Several biological reasons, such as how your brain works and hormonal changes, might help start or make separation anxiety worse.
Imbalances in brain neurotransmitters, mainly serotonin and norepinephrine, connect to anxiety disorders. These imbalances might change mood management and bring about feelings of worry, fear, and sadness.
Hormonal changes, like those during pregnancy or after childbirth, can cause mood and worry levels to change, potentially kick-starting or worsening separation anxiety.
Environmental aspects, like stressful events or exposure to violence, can also support the development of separation anxiety.
Feeling massive stress, such as loss of a job, money problems, or health issues, can trigger or make feelings of anxiety stronger and making it more tough to deal with separation.
Those who have faced violence or mistreatment in the past might develop anxiety disorders, including separation anxiety, as a reply to the trauma.
In diagnosing SAD, medical professionals use a set of guidelines listed in the DSM-5. The instructions decide whether the signs are that serious for someone’s age and stage of growth that it causes distress and impacts normal life.
According to the DSM-5, key signs of SAD include worrying a lot, fearing probable separation from loved ones, too much attachment, always refusing to part, and often having nightmares about parting. To be diagnosed, these symptoms should last at least four weeks in kids and six months in adults.
Health providers may run a few measures and tests to diagnose separation anxiety, which are discussed below.
Psychological checks inquire deep into a patient’s thoughts, feelings, and actions. This discussion and observations help find out about how serious separation anxiety is and how it’s affecting their daily life.
Medical check-ups may be done to cross out any deep-seated bodily health issues that might cause or aid the symptoms of separation anxiety.
CBT is a helpful form of psychotherapy for SAD. It focuses on finding and editing thought patterns and actions linked to worry. CBT for separation anxiety includes two main components.
This method involves slowly exposing the patient to conditions that bring out their separation anxiety. This assists them to build confidence and learn ways to deal with their fears.
This process aims to find and challenge negative thought patterns that add to separation anxiety. It teaches the patient to replace unsound thinking with more balanced and positive beliefs.
In some cases, your healthcare provider may advise anti-anxiety medicines to help manage the symptoms of SAD. Two common medicines used are as follows.
Doctors can prescribe SSRIs, to control mood and lessen anxiety signs in adults with SAD.
These medicines may provide short relief for separation anxiety. But, they are not mostly advised for long use due to the risk for dependence.
But never try to self-medicate with these as they can have some serious side-effects.
Joining a support group for people dealing with separation anxiety issues can offer emotional help and practical advice on dealing with the disorder. These groups may help guide you on how to handle the problems that come with SAD and promote effective self-help techniques.
Finding others who share similar experiences tends to provide great understanding, empathy, and emotional help in dealing with separation anxiety.
Some people may find relief from separation anxiety through alternative therapy as well.
This practice trains you to focus on the present moment’s awareness and acceptance. It helps manage anxiety and lessen stress.
Regular physical activity and a good diet can boost overall health and perhaps lessen anxiety signs.
Apart from professional help, certain lifestyle changes and home remedies may help manage separation anxiety. These are described below.
Practicing relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing exercises or progressive muscle relaxation, are proposed to help reduce anxiety and stress.
Building supportive social networks and taking part in activities that promote emotional well-being are said to aid in dealing with separation anxiety.
Being ready and prepared for possible hard conditions may help manage worrying about future events and lessen the impact of separation. This can be achieved by implementing the following.
Planning strategies to take care of anxious feelings before they come is proposed to make it easier to face hard conditions, such as leaving loved ones for long periods.
Setting fair boundaries with loved ones may help promote healthy freedom and reduce feelings of extreme attachment.
Building effective coping strategies and strong support networks may help grow emotional strength while facing separation anxiety.
Parents play a key role in stopping the growth of SAD in their kids by promoting healthy bonds and building independence.
Making changes for kids to explore their surroundings and grow freedom can help build their confidence and power in the face of separation.
Dealing with early signs of separation anxiety and finding professional help when needed can stop the disorder from getting worse over time.
A deep understanding of SAD and knowing about the right management options can aid in early detection and timely action, eventually leading to better results.
Learning about the causes, signs, and risk factors of SAD may help people recognise the disorder in themselves or their loved ones and seek the right help.
Being aware of the various therapy choices for SAD, such as therapy, medication, and support groups, may speed up the process of seeking help and choosing the most fitting management plan.
If you don’t try to manage separation anxiety it can lead to further complications, such as:
Those with SAD may be at risk of getting other anxiety disorders, such as general anxiety disorder, panic disorder, or social anxiety disorder.
Persistent separation anxiety can strain personal relationships and disrupt professional and academic performance, negatively impacting overall lifestyle.
With the right help and constant support, it’s possible to deal with separation anxiety and improve emotional health and daily tasks. Early help and strictly following management plans greatly increase the chances of success.
Separation anxiety is a natural part of human growth but becomes serious when it persists into adulthood and disrupts daily life. The roots of separation anxiety in adults can be genetic, environmental, or both. Management options include therapy, medication, and support groups. By finding professional help, doing self-care routines, and growing emotional strength, people with separation anxiety can start to take control of their lives and improve their mental health.
Knowing the signs of adult separation anxiety and finding early help is key to improving emotional health and stopping the growth of further problems. With the right support, those with SAD can lead satisfied, balanced, and emotionally healthy lives.
Coping techniques for separation anxiety include ways to relax, making social connections, setting limits, and creating emotional power. These, along with professional help, can assist in managing separation anxiety signs.
Calming down from separation anxiety can be done using a combination of self-help techniques, such as practicing deep breathing or meditating, finding support from friends and family, and seeking professional help through therapy or medication when needed.
Behaviours linked to separation anxiety include worrying a lot and fearing being separated from loved ones, strong bonds with people or objects, avoiding situations that need separation, upsetting daily actions, and bad sleep such as night terrors or lack of sleep.
Yes, adults can get separation anxiety later in life. This can happen due to big life changes, like moving, starting a new job, or changes in relationships, which involve parting from loved ones.
Medicines for separation anxiety, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) or benzodiazepines, can have side effects. These might include sleepiness, light-headedness, and upset stomach. Long-term use of benzodiazepines can also cause dependence. It’s key to discuss with your healthcare provider before starting any new medicines to make sure the benefits are more than the risks and side effects.
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