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Tips for helping to relieve severe separation anxiety disorder in teens? My tweens are both suffering from this but I don’t know how to assist or help them manage it or how to fix it. Thank you!

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Teenagers living with separation anxiety show signs of fear when they have to say goodbye to their parents or caregivers or just the thought of being separated from them. This anxiety can make them miss school, work, and other activities that require being away from their parents or caregivers.

Here are some steps you should consider:

Seek help from a mental health professional, experienced in this field. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is usually an effective form of therapy to treat it. If symptoms are severe, medication may be recommended (see more information below).

If they are receiving support from a mental health professional, follow the treatment plan

Get to know the condition: when you understand what separation anxiety disorder is and how it works, you are better equipped to support your kids

Get to know your children: even if they both experience this disorder, they both have different symptoms and ways to deal with it.

If they attend school, liaise with their teachers so they can support them from their end, and you are all on the same page.

Label and discuss their emotions and behaviours

Respect their feelings even if they make no sense to you

Establish a consistent routine to provide them security and stability

Show calm support

Practice saying goodbye

You may find these articles useful:

What Are Your Thoughts on Anxiety Medication for Teens?

How to Help Children with their Anxiety?

How to Help a Child with Anxiety?

I hope this information helps. I wish you teenager all the very best,

Love,

Ana

Dr Ana Aznar

“Can you have separation anxiety disorder in adolescence? My 15-year-old is acting very strange and clingy all of a sudden”

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If your teenager is acting ‘strange’ it may mean that there is something going on with him. I think that it is definitely a good idea to have a chat with him to see what is going on. Tell him that if he does not want to talk to you, he could talk to another trusted adult in his life or perhaps he would agree to talk to a therapist. If he goes to school, have a chat with his teachers to see if there is anything going on at school that you may not know about.

You mention separation anxiety disorder and yes, adolescents can have it. Teenagers living with separation anxiety show signs of fear when they have to say goodbye to their parents or caregivers or just the thought of being separated from them. This anxiety can make them miss school or activities that require being away from their parents or caregivers.

I would urge you to talk to your teenager. If you are worried about him, do take him to a mental health professional.