Separation anxiety is a normal part of development. It usually occurs in infants when they are separated from their primary caregiver. Symptoms of separation anxiety in children typically improve by the time they are three years old. However, the symptoms can persist through your child’s teen years and well into adulthood.
Separation anxiety disorder causes teenagers to experience an overwhelming fear of being separated from people they are emotionally connected to. It could be their parents, romantic partners, or friends. As a parent or guardian, you should seek professional help if you notice your teen is exhibiting symptoms of separation anxiety disorder.
This article aims to educate parents about separation anxiety disorder. It will explore its causes, symptoms, and risk factors. It will also analyze its effects on your teenager’s life and how it can be treated. If you would like more information about this mental health condition, contact NexStep Teen Academy today.
What is Separation Anxiety in Teens?
Separation anxiety disorder is a mental health condition that is part of the anxiety disorder family. Teenagers with separation anxiety feel an intense fear of being separated from people they are connected to. It is different from the normal feeling your teen might have when you want to go on a long vacation. Teenagers with social anxiety understand that separation is necessary; however, they still feel distressed. For example, if your teen has separation anxiety, they may become distressed over the thought of you leaving for work. To many parents, this may seem like the “Velcro kid” phase again.
Causes of Separation Anxiety in Teens
Like many other mental health conditions, separation anxiety is caused by a combination of several factors. These include the following:
Genetic Factors
Did you know that teenagers with first-degree relatives with anxiety are more likely to develop anxiety? Scientists do not fully understand which genes cause separation anxiety. However, according to a family study conducted on 54 children with anxiety, 63% of participants had one parent who suffered from anxiety. A 2019 study found that variants of the PDE4B gene could be linked to the development of anxiety in teenagers. However, more research needs to be done to isolate the exact genes that may be associated with the development of separation anxiety. Evidence suggests that anxiety is likely passed from parents to teenagers through certain genes or gene mutations.
Biological Factors
Your teenager’s separation anxiety may be caused by imbalances in their brain chemistry. Teenagers with low serotonin levels are more likely to develop separation anxiety. Serotonin is responsible for regulating mood, sleep, and reward. Teenagers with serotonin imbalances may get attached to their families or friends because that is when they feel the most gratification. When you are separated from your teen, their serotonin levels may decrease, making them distressed.
Another neurotransmitter associated with separation anxiety is GABA. GABA affects emotions and is known to act on the body’s nervous system. Its imbalance has been linked with the development of mood and anxiety disorders. Benzodiazepines, one of the primary types of anti-anxiety medications, bind with GABA receptors to relieve separation anxiety symptoms.
Environmental Factors
Your teenager’s environment can also lead to the onset of separation anxiety. As teenagers grow up, thye learn how to behave from their caregivers. As such, if they observe separation anxiety from their parents or caregivers, they are likely to adopt such behaviors. They subconsciously learn that that is how they are supposed to behave when they are left alone. It becomes a normal habit for them unless corrected early on in their lives.
Additionally, if your teenager has been a victim of childhood neglect or trauma, they are likely to develop separation anxiety. Being alone feels unsafe for them, relying on their families and friends for emotional comfort.
Finally, factors like divorce or separation can make your teen develop a fear of abandonment. Many teenagers tend to blame themselves for divorce. They develop separation anxiety because their whole worldview comes crumbling down. Your teen may be used to spending time with both their parents. After the divorce, they become lonely and lost. This can lead to the development of separation anxiety.
Signs and Symptoms of Separation Anxiety in Teens
If your teenager has separation anxiety, they may experience the following symptoms:
An intense fear or distress when they think about being separated from their loved ones
The constant worry that a loved one might fall ill or pass away due to disease or an accident
Worry that their loved ones will be kidnapped or separated from them for a long time
Reluctance or refusal to be away from loved ones
Keeping loved ones within reach when they are outside the home
Not wanting to leave the house without being accompanied by a loved one
Refusing to sleep due to the fear of being separated from a loved one
Nightmares about being separated from a loved one
Stomachaches, nausea, and other gastrointestinal issues
Headaches, dizziness, and nausea before separation
Panic attacks
Shortness of breath and heart palpitations
Effects of Untreated Separation Anxiety on Teens
Separation anxiety in teens can have many negative effects. These effects include the following:
Academic Decline
Separation anxiety can cause your teen’s academics to decline. Separation anxiety causes teens to avoid leaving home because they are scared of being separated from their families. It also causes them to worry constantly about the well-being of their loved ones. This prevents them from paying attention in class. As a result, their academic performance will decline.
Onset or Worsening of Mental Health Conditions
Separation anxiety co-occurs with other mental health conditions like depression and panic attacks. If left untreated, it can lead to the worsening of these conditions. For instance, your teen’s depression may worsen because they become socially isolated. The lack of human interaction can make your teen feel lonely and depressed. It also makes them wallow in negative and deeply distressing thoughts. Such thoughts can lead to the worsening of their depression.
Breakdown of Interpersonal Relationships
When teens fail to interact with other people on account of their separation anxiety, they can struggle to form and maintain friendships and romantic relationships. They also become socially isolated and do not put in the effort required to maintain their social circles. This eventually leads to the breakdown of interpersonal relationships.
Treatment of Teen Separation Anxiety at NexStep Teen Academy
Separation anxiety can impair your teen’s daily life. In order to prevent this, it is important to seek professional help. At NexStep Teen Academy, we offer high quality mental health treatment. Our outpatient services are specifically designed to help teenagers cope with separation anxiety, we offer teen Partial Hospitalization (PHP). This treatment strategy is more intense than general outpatient and teen intensive outpatient programs (IOP). It is designed for teens who require additional supervision and medication management. Less severe cases of separation anxiety can be treated using the IOP and general outpatient programs.
At NexStep Teen Academy, we provide comprehensive mental health treatment. We will assess your teen thoroughly and create a custom treatment plan. During treatment, your teen will interact with our highly experienced staff, who will ensure they receive high-quality care.
If you need any more information about our separation anxiety treatment, please get in touch with us today. We are happy to help.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How common is separation anxiety in teenagers?
Separation anxiety is relatively rare in teenagers. It predominantly affects infants and children. However, its symptoms may persist all the way to adulthood. According to statistics, around 4.1% of children have clinically diagnosed separation anxiety.
Can separation anxiety in teens be a sign of a larger mental health issue?
Separation anxiety is a serious mental health condition. However, it commonly co-occurs with other mental health conditions like depression, social anxiety disorder, and general anxiety disorder.
What triggers separation anxiety in adolescents?
Separation anxiety can be triggered by trauma, divorce, separation, and childhood neglect.
Understanding Separation Anxiety in Teens
Table of Contents
Separation anxiety is a normal part of development. It usually occurs in infants when they are separated from their primary caregiver. Symptoms of separation anxiety in children typically improve by the time they are three years old. However, the symptoms can persist through your child’s teen years and well into adulthood.
Separation anxiety disorder causes teenagers to experience an overwhelming fear of being separated from people they are emotionally connected to. It could be their parents, romantic partners, or friends. As a parent or guardian, you should seek professional help if you notice your teen is exhibiting symptoms of separation anxiety disorder.
This article aims to educate parents about separation anxiety disorder. It will explore its causes, symptoms, and risk factors. It will also analyze its effects on your teenager’s life and how it can be treated. If you would like more information about this mental health condition, contact NexStep Teen Academy today.
What is Separation Anxiety in Teens?
Separation anxiety disorder is a mental health condition that is part of the anxiety disorder family. Teenagers with separation anxiety feel an intense fear of being separated from people they are connected to. It is different from the normal feeling your teen might have when you want to go on a long vacation. Teenagers with social anxiety understand that separation is necessary; however, they still feel distressed. For example, if your teen has separation anxiety, they may become distressed over the thought of you leaving for work. To many parents, this may seem like the “Velcro kid” phase again.
Causes of Separation Anxiety in Teens
Like many other mental health conditions, separation anxiety is caused by a combination of several factors. These include the following:
Genetic Factors
Did you know that teenagers with first-degree relatives with anxiety are more likely to develop anxiety? Scientists do not fully understand which genes cause separation anxiety. However, according to a family study conducted on 54 children with anxiety, 63% of participants had one parent who suffered from anxiety. A 2019 study found that variants of the PDE4B gene could be linked to the development of anxiety in teenagers. However, more research needs to be done to isolate the exact genes that may be associated with the development of separation anxiety. Evidence suggests that anxiety is likely passed from parents to teenagers through certain genes or gene mutations.
Biological Factors
Your teenager’s separation anxiety may be caused by imbalances in their brain chemistry. Teenagers with low serotonin levels are more likely to develop separation anxiety. Serotonin is responsible for regulating mood, sleep, and reward. Teenagers with serotonin imbalances may get attached to their families or friends because that is when they feel the most gratification. When you are separated from your teen, their serotonin levels may decrease, making them distressed.
Another neurotransmitter associated with separation anxiety is GABA. GABA affects emotions and is known to act on the body’s nervous system. Its imbalance has been linked with the development of mood and anxiety disorders. Benzodiazepines, one of the primary types of anti-anxiety medications, bind with GABA receptors to relieve separation anxiety symptoms.
Environmental Factors
Your teenager’s environment can also lead to the onset of separation anxiety. As teenagers grow up, thye learn how to behave from their caregivers. As such, if they observe separation anxiety from their parents or caregivers, they are likely to adopt such behaviors. They subconsciously learn that that is how they are supposed to behave when they are left alone. It becomes a normal habit for them unless corrected early on in their lives.
Additionally, if your teenager has been a victim of childhood neglect or trauma, they are likely to develop separation anxiety. Being alone feels unsafe for them, relying on their families and friends for emotional comfort.
Finally, factors like divorce or separation can make your teen develop a fear of abandonment. Many teenagers tend to blame themselves for divorce. They develop separation anxiety because their whole worldview comes crumbling down. Your teen may be used to spending time with both their parents. After the divorce, they become lonely and lost. This can lead to the development of separation anxiety.
Signs and Symptoms of Separation Anxiety in Teens
If your teenager has separation anxiety, they may experience the following symptoms:
Effects of Untreated Separation Anxiety on Teens
Separation anxiety in teens can have many negative effects. These effects include the following:
Academic Decline
Separation anxiety can cause your teen’s academics to decline. Separation anxiety causes teens to avoid leaving home because they are scared of being separated from their families. It also causes them to worry constantly about the well-being of their loved ones. This prevents them from paying attention in class. As a result, their academic performance will decline.
Onset or Worsening of Mental Health Conditions
Separation anxiety co-occurs with other mental health conditions like depression and panic attacks. If left untreated, it can lead to the worsening of these conditions. For instance, your teen’s depression may worsen because they become socially isolated. The lack of human interaction can make your teen feel lonely and depressed. It also makes them wallow in negative and deeply distressing thoughts. Such thoughts can lead to the worsening of their depression.
Breakdown of Interpersonal Relationships
When teens fail to interact with other people on account of their separation anxiety, they can struggle to form and maintain friendships and romantic relationships. They also become socially isolated and do not put in the effort required to maintain their social circles. This eventually leads to the breakdown of interpersonal relationships.
Treatment of Teen Separation Anxiety at NexStep Teen Academy
Separation anxiety can impair your teen’s daily life. In order to prevent this, it is important to seek professional help. At NexStep Teen Academy, we offer high quality mental health treatment. Our outpatient services are specifically designed to help teenagers cope with separation anxiety, we offer teen Partial Hospitalization (PHP). This treatment strategy is more intense than general outpatient and teen intensive outpatient programs (IOP). It is designed for teens who require additional supervision and medication management. Less severe cases of separation anxiety can be treated using the IOP and general outpatient programs.
At NexStep Teen Academy, we provide comprehensive mental health treatment. We will assess your teen thoroughly and create a custom treatment plan. During treatment, your teen will interact with our highly experienced staff, who will ensure they receive high-quality care.
If you need any more information about our separation anxiety treatment, please get in touch with us today. We are happy to help.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Separation anxiety is relatively rare in teenagers. It predominantly affects infants and children. However, its symptoms may persist all the way to adulthood. According to statistics, around 4.1% of children have clinically diagnosed separation anxiety.
Separation anxiety is a serious mental health condition. However, it commonly co-occurs with other mental health conditions like depression, social anxiety disorder, and general anxiety disorder.
Separation anxiety can be triggered by trauma, divorce, separation, and childhood neglect.