Separation Anxiety Therapy

Separation Anxiety Therapy in Wichita, KS

Separation anxiety isn’t only seen in children. It can also be seen in adults. Adults with separation anxiety have extreme fear that bad things will happen to important people in their lives, such as family members.

Separation anxiety is a regular part of development for children between the age of six months to three years. When symptoms continue into late childhood, your child may be diagnosed as having child separation anxiety disorder.

If separation anxiety continues into adulthood, you’ll be diagnosed with adult separation anxiety disorder. Symptoms of anxiety disorder in children and adults are similar. For children, separation anxiety is often associated with extreme fear or anxiety about being away from parents or caregivers. That can make a child less willing to participate in events or social experiences, like spending the night at a friend’s house or going to summer sleepaway camp. For adults, the anxiety is around being away from children or spouses. Instead of school, work function or other responsibilities can become impaired.

It’s normal to be concerned about the well-being of loved ones. People with adult separation anxiety disorder experience high levels of anxiety, and sometimes even panic attacks, when loved ones are out of reach.

People with this disorder may be socially withdrawn, or show extreme sadness or difficulty concentrating when away from loved ones. In parents, the disorder can lead to strict, over-involved parenting. In relationships, you may be more likely to be an overbearing partner.

Other common symptoms include:

• Unfounded fears that loved ones, or yourself, will be abducted or fatally injured
• Extreme and persistent hesitancy or refusal to leave the proximity of loved ones
• Difficulty sleeping away from a loved one for fear that something will happen to them
• Depression or anxiety attacks related to any of the above topics

You may also have physical aches and pains, headaches, and diarrhea associated with periods of anxiety.

Treatment for adult separation anxiety disorder is similar to treatments used to treat other anxiety disorders. Your medical provider may recommend a variety of treatments, or you may have to try several treatments before finding one that works for you. 

Possible treatments include:

• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
• Group therapy
• Family therapy
• Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT)
• Medications, such as antidepressants, buspirone (BuSpar),or benzodiazepines

Here at ACFC we have a team of experienced therapists who are committed to their patients every step of the way. We will help match you to the therapist on our staff best suited to meet your needs. We accept most major insurance providers. Check our Insurance page to see if your provider is accepted.

If you would like to seek separation anxiety therapy with an ACFC counselor – simply fill out our contact form below, chat with us during business hours or call us at 316-945-5200 to get the process started. We look forward to meeting with you.