Separation Anxiety in Adults

You would be surprised to know that fact that the term Adult Separation Anxiety Disorder (ASAD) didn't even exist a few years ago! In fact, this term was introduced by the team of Dr. Vijaya Manicavasagar, the member of the Psychiatry Research and Teaching Unit of Liverpool Hospital in New South Wales Australia, in the late 90's. The study revealed that ASAD is actually more common than childhood separation anxiety disorder. On one hand, where approximately 4% of children suffer from this disorder, there are almost 7% adults that are suffering from separation anxiety disorder! Studies also show that this disorder is more common in women as compared to men. It is a condition wherein adults experience extreme anxiety and fear when separated from people or figures that they are extremely attached to. However, it is important to understand that ASAD is different from normal separation anxiety that we all tend to suffer from at some point of our lives.

Symptoms and Signs of Separation Anxiety in Adults

Adults may experience separation anxiety symptoms when they are separated from people they love the most. Like in case of young children who suffer from separation anxiety when they are separated from their parents. They tend to cry or shout if they don't see familiar faces around them. Similarly, even adults may feel left out and fear to lose their loved one when separated from them. An example for the same would be a mother getting these symptoms when separated from her child or her spouse. Have a look at the symptoms of ASAD to get a better understanding.

• Extreme distress and emotional discomfort while being away or separated from people or places that you are attached with.
• Recurring thoughts of losing the person or becoming separated forever due to some unfortunate circumstances.
• Constant fear that you will lose the person forever or something bad is going to happen or has already happened to the person.
• Unable to concentrate on your work or responsibilities due to constant fear and anxiety.
• Getting nightmares repeatedly that you will be separated from the person or place forever.
• Unable to go to sleep without being with the person or without making sure that the person is safe with you.
• Fear of leaving the person or the attachment figure alone for a long time and getting worried when the person is away since a long time.
• Physical symptoms like headache, heart palpitations, nausea, vomiting and stomach aches may also appear.

Causes of Separation Anxiety in Adults

Experts believe that most of the adults suffer from SAD because of being undiagnosed in the childhood. This disorder is also believed to be associated with family history and environmental conditions. Speaking about family history, experts say that majority of kids suffering from this disorder have at least one parent who has been suffering from adult separation anxiety disorder or had suffered from separation anxiety disorder during childhood or teenage. Therefore, this disorder seems to run in some families, starting from infancy, to childhood, to adolescence and eventually adulthood! Even environmental conditions can trigger the development of separation anxiety disorder in adults, especially those who have been separated from a loved one during childhood, or have suffered from grief from the death of a loved one!

How to Get Over Adult Separation Anxiety Disorder

If proper attention is not given, then this disorder can adversely affect the life of the adult and those around them. Studies show that people suffering from this disorder either end up not marrying at all, or have a difficult married life ending up in divorces. Even their social life is not healthy and usually these people end up getting involved into alcohol and drugs. In fact, there could be cases wherein the symptoms go so severe that the person refuses to eat, sleep or even stay without the person he or she is attached with. So what can be done to overcome this disorder? Have a look!

• You must get in touch with a health care specialist as soon as possible without wasting any time. This is because most of the undiagnosed ASAD symptoms can lead to other mental disorders as well
• Various therapies that are used for anxiety disorders like meditation, yoga, cognitive behavioral therapy and stress management techniques; are used.
• Your doctor may also prescribe various antidepressants and drugs that will help manage the anxiety levels.

So this was a brief write-up on adult separation anxiety, its causes, symptoms and ways to overcome it. If you can identify yourself with the aforementioned scenarios, then don't wait any longer and talk to a trusted doctor as soon as possible so that you don't end up living a miserable life under constant anxiety and fear. Have a healthy and happy tomorrow. Take care.