Anxiety Disorders: Separation Anxiety Disorder

Anxiety Disorders

Separation Anxiety Disorder

• Excessive anxiety or fear about separation from attachment figures (e.g., parents, caregivers)
• Fear of harm or death to oneself or attachment figures
• Avoidance of separation from attachment figures
• Symptoms:
  • Recurring distress when separated from attachment figures
  • Reluctance to go to school or work
  • Fear of being alone or without attachment figures
  • Physical symptoms (e.g., headaches, nausea) when separated

Specific Phobia

• Irrational fear of a specific object, situation, or activity
• Exposure to the feared object/situation triggers anxiety response
• Symptoms:
  • Avoidance of the feared object/situation
  • Panic or anxiety when confronted with the feared object/situation
  • Recognition that the fear is excessive or unreasonable
  • Interference with daily life or social functioning

Social Anxiety Disorder (Social Phobia)

• Fear of being judged, evaluated, or rejected by others
• Fear of being embarrassed or humiliated in social situations
• Symptoms:
  • Avoidance of social situations or events
  • Fear of being the center of attention
  • Fear of being embarrassed or humiliated
  • Physical symptoms (e.g., trembling, sweating) in social situations

Selective Mutism

• Consistent failure to speak in specific social situations (e.g., school, social gatherings)
• Ability to speak in other situations (e.g., at home)
• Symptoms:
  • Failure to speak in social situations despite ability to speak in other situations
  • Significant distress or impairment in social situations
  • Fear of speaking or being heard in social situations

Panic Disorder

• Recurring panic attacks (sudden, intense fear or discomfort)
• Fear of having another panic attack or the consequences of a panic attack
• Symptoms:
  • Panic attacks (at least 1 per week for 1 month)
  • Persistent concern about having another panic attack
  • Significant change in behavior to avoid panic attacks
  • Physical symptoms (e.g., palpitations, sweating, trembling) during panic attacks

Anxiety Disorders

Separation Anxiety Disorder

• Characterized by excessive anxiety or fear about separation from attachment figures, such as parents or caregivers
• Fear of harm or death to oneself or attachment figures is a common symptom
• Avoidance of separation from attachment figures is a key feature of this disorder
• Symptoms include recurring distress when separated from attachment figures, reluctance to go to school or work, and fear of being alone or without attachment figures
• Physical symptoms, such as headaches and nausea, can occur when separated from attachment figures

Specific Phobia

• Defined by an irrational fear of a specific object, situation, or activity
• Exposure to the feared object or situation triggers an anxiety response
• Symptoms include avoidance of the feared object or situation, panic or anxiety when confronted with the feared object or situation, and recognition that the fear is excessive or unreasonable
• This disorder can interfere with daily life or social functioning

Social Anxiety Disorder (Social Phobia)

• Characterized by fear of being judged, evaluated, or rejected by others
• Fear of being embarrassed or humiliated in social situations is a common symptom
• Symptoms include avoidance of social situations or events, fear of being the center of attention, and fear of being embarrassed or humiliated
• Physical symptoms, such as trembling and sweating, can occur in social situations

Selective Mutism

• Defined by a consistent failure to speak in specific social situations, despite ability to speak in other situations
• Symptoms include failure to speak in social situations, significant distress or impairment in social situations, and fear of speaking or being heard in social situations
• Ability to speak in other situations, such as at home, is a key feature of this disorder

Panic Disorder

• Characterized by recurring panic attacks, which are sudden and intense feelings of fear or discomfort
• Fear of having another panic attack or the consequences of a panic attack is a common symptom
• Symptoms include panic attacks, persistent concern about having another panic attack, significant change in behavior to avoid panic attacks, and physical symptoms during panic attacks