Separation Anxiety Disorder

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Introduction

Separation anxiety disorder has a 3 month prevalence of about 3 percent. More common in girls than boys.

 

Separation anxiety disorder is the presence of at least three of the following eight symptoms for at least 4 weeks:

 

The Case of...

a simple case introducing clincial presentation and calling for a differential diagnosis to get students thinking.

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Causes and Risk Factors

Genetics, temperament, parental styles, parental anxiety, and pattern of attachment to caregivers have all been associated with separation anxiety disorder.

Behavioural inhibition, the genetically based temperamental trait in which children react to new situations, with distress, avildance, or restraint, is associated with higher rates of separation anxiety disorder.

Insecure attachment between mother and child is predictive of separation anxiety in adolescents.

Parental anxiety, perhaps through control and overprotection, may lead to the development of childhood anxiety by preventing children from having adaptive learning experiences that foster coping skills. It may also lead children to believe the world is a dangerous place

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Signs and Symptoms

  • history
  • physical exam

History

  • separation anxiety is a normal developmental stage from six months till age 3.
  • school refusal
  • somatic complaints are common and include stomach-ache, nausea, racing heart rate, and lightheadedness

 

Physical Exam

 

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Investigations

  • lab investigations
  • diagnostic imaging

Lab Investigations

Diagnostic Imaging

 

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Differential Diagnosis

 

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Treatments

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Consequences and Course

After 8 years, youths who had an anxiety disorder were functioning similarly to those who did not, except they were less likely to be living alone. Of all anxiety disorders separation anxiety disorders had the lowest remission rates.

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Resources and References

 

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Topic Development

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