Separation anxiety in adults
It is significant to note that not just children, but also adults suffer from separation anxiety. This anxiety in adults is not as common in adults as in children, but definitely shows up as a symptom of some bigger issue.
It is significant to note that separation anxiety in adults could show up if he or she has been abandoned as a child.
So it is common to find it in children that have been given up for adoption, and could occur even in those that have been left for long to fend for themselves. Adults that were neglected as minors could carry on anxiety of separation even as an adult.
It is also significant to find that some adults undergo separation anxiety as a result of a marital separation or even death of their partner. So it is quite common to see many men and women that are divorced or widowed especially in the later part of their lives to experience these symptoms.
It is not rare to find certain parents undergoing separation anxiety in old age when their children have their own professional, family and social life to keep them busy and rarely find time for their old parents.
It is also possible that separation anxiety in adults could stem from other reasons and also could be an indicator of some other deeper anxiety problems or phobias.
Recognize the symptoms of separation anxiety in adults
It is best to realize that separation anxiety in adults could show up as an excess anxiety that something wrong would happen to ones near and dear ones. The symptoms of separation anxiety in adults could be felt as tightening in the chest, fast heart beat, a feeling of extreme panic, dizziness and the face getting flushed. It is of course much milder than a generalized anxiety disorder that is an all pervasive disorder and includes anxiety and worry that would impact one relationship, health, and well-being.
It is also found that adults that suffer separation anxiety are predisposed to develop other forms of anxiety later in their lives. It is however to be realized that adult separation anxiety can be easily cured and there is no need to lose hope.
This can be easily done with getting help of specialists like a therapist, psychiatrist and psychologist. Looking and finding a well-qualified and experienced professional helps in managing the separation anxiety symptoms effectively.
Dealing with separation anxiety in adults
It is significant in understanding that adult separation anxiety is treated with a right combination of positive thinking, stress relaxation techniques and other forms of natural therapy.
It is significant to understand that separation anxiety in adults arise of an overwhelming fear and anxiety of separation, loss or being abandoned when one losses another that he or she has had a strong emotional attachment to.
It is also common for adults to experience separation anxiety that affects both men and women after the death of one’s spouse on whom one depended. This anxiety could be not just for moral support and companionship, but may also include help for basic everyday tasks like laundry, cooking, food shopping and cleaning, and other tasks.
In addition it is found that adult separation anxiety was felt by some women when their last child left home. Also known as empty nest syndrome, this separation anxiety may make some parents feel alone and lost when their off-spring leaves home. This turns tough especially for mothers that feel they are left out and feel that they lack skills to start functioning normally in the social world.
There are various approaches to deal with separation anxiety in adults. One of the most significant therapies is the cognitive behavioral therapy that helps many to realize whether their fears are rational or irrational and the steps that should be taken to get over it. Finding a therapist that would help is possible by either looking at a directory of the city or searching online to find them.
An effective and efficient doctor or therapist can also be found by references. Testimonials given on online sites could also help find the right one to fix an appointment with. It is however best to first have a talk with the professional before fixing up an appointment.
Cognitive behavioral therapy helps the affected to think of positively, as this therapy aims at training the person affected to break their negative and unproductive thinking patterns by evaluating their rationality. This focusing on positive thoughts makes the affected more positive to learning strategies for improvement and change.
This therapy also plays a vital role in replacing their negative irrational talk with more positive talk that influences the way they think. In addition cognitive behavioral therapy helps to promote relaxation with inculcating techniques like deep breathing and tensing and releasing the muscles that help a lot in relieving anxiety.
In addition, certain behavioral therapies help adults suffering from separation anxiety to not dwell on worst outcomes of situations but to realize that mistakes are a part of life and that looking for solutions would help. This could be reinforced by helping one close to us by engaging them in ways to look at the light that comes after darkness.
Encouraging them to read motivational literature and listen to motivational CD’s would help. This could help reinforce confidence and boost self-esteem.
That’s to the how to deal with separation anxiety in adults.