DEFINITION
With the development of intellectual abilities and emotional
children, they learn to know the people around him and become attached to
parents or guardians. With the growing strength of this bond, children often
become anxious or fearful if parents go leave them all or if a stranger
appears. This fear is a normal part of child development and should improve
over time.
Anxiety for separation (separation anxiety) is part of the
normal developmental stages in children. At this stage, children experience
anxiety when they are separated from their parents or guardians.
For separation anxiety usually begins when the child is
about 8 months old and the most severe when children aged 10-18 months.
Children aged 8-18 months often become frightened when they meet new people or
going to new places.
CAUSE
In the normal development of the child, the child begins to
recognize their home environment, and feels comfortable when you are with
parents or guardians. After this period, children are often afraid of things we
have not known because the child begins to recognize the existence of something
unusual. Children feel uneasy when separately with their parents, especially
when you are away from home.
For separation anxiety usually disappears when the child is about
24 months old. At this age, children begin to understand that her parents were
away, but will be back.
However, even though the child has successfully passed this
stage of development, the anxiety for the split could happen again when
children are experiencing stress. Most children will feel anxiety to split in
different levels while in unfamiliar situations, especially when separated from
their parents. For example when a child is sick and hospitalized. Children will
find peace and protection from their parents. But if parents can not be with
him in this situation, then the child can feel depressed.
SYMPTOMS
When children are separated from their parents or guardians,
especially when you are away from home, the child will feel frightened and
unsettled. They will be looking for parents or guardians to obtain a sense of
security and tranquility. Children at this age, who cried when left parents or
guardians, does not mean the kids are spoiled. The crying child in this
situation is a positive reaction, because children who do not have a bond with
their parents or guardians will not cry when they leave.
Parents or caregivers that children can try to play
"boo" with the child's age to help convince kids that if they are not
visible does not mean they will go on forever.
Separation anxiety to occur until around 24 months old
child. At this age, children have learned that things still exist even when no
visible or audible (eg parents). In addition, children also learn to trust
their parents or guardians that in the end they will come back and go away
forever.
DIAGNOSIS
No checks are required for this condition because of the
anxiety that occurs in children is a part of normal child development.
If anxiety to split occurs very severe and persist until the
child is older than 2 years, it is necessary to further evaluation by a mental
health professional children's doctor to determine if the child has an anxiety
disorder or other conditions.
TREATMENT
For separation anxiety usually does not pose a concern and
does not need further treatment by a doctor. Anxiety to part with anxiety
disorders differ split, which occurs in children greater. Children with this
disorder usually refuse to go to school. If severe interference occurs, then
the normal development of children who could be disrupted.
Parents do not limit their activities to just be around the
child, in response to the child's anxiety to be separated from their parents,
because this action can actually interfere with the development and maturation
of the child.
When parents are ready to go or leave the child in the
daycare example, then they can try to:
·
whilst ensuring that the people who will care
for children has been recognized by children
·
encourage caregivers to be able to distract the
child with toys or other activities while the parents go
·
limit your response to crying child before the
parents leave
·
be calm and reassuring
·
make routine to part with the child so that the
child can reduce anxiety
·
give children eat and then let the children take
a nap before the parents leave, due to separation anxiety may become worse when
the child is hungry or tired
If the child cries when parents go to another room in the
house, so parents should call the child from another room, rather than
immediately come back to soothe the child. This response teaches the child that
his parents remained there even though he could not see it at that time.
For separation anxiety that lasts until the age of children
over 2 years may be a problem or it may not, depending on how big the state interfere
with the child's development. For example, most children feel scared when they
start school. If they are able to come and take part in school, and the fear
they feel decreases with time, this fear is not a disorder. However, the
anxiety for the split that makes the child does not want to go to school or
refusing to play with peers could be a sign of separation anxiety disorder. In
this case, the child should receive further evaluation and treatment by a
physician.
REFERENCE
- C, Deborah M. Separation and Stranger Anxiety. Merck
Manual Handbook. 2013.
- K, Neil K. Separation Anxiety. Medline Plus. 2010.
SUGGEST ARTICLES
Thanks for reading & sharing Healthy Natural Life
