Anxiety

I have a 7 year old duaghter.  She is in second grade.  She has both parents living at home.  We have a stable and healthy family.  I am a stay at home mom and she has 3 siblings one is a 13 yr. old and I home school her. My 7 yr. old is often sick colds, impetigo, allergies. Ever since I can remember she does not like to be seperated from us.  I had to fight just to get her to go to school in first grade.  Now that she has started second grade it is getting worse.  She can't even get dressed alone.  She can't go to sleep at night.  I never noticed but it is getting out of control.  My husband heard about seperation anxiety disorder in children.  I know nothing about this disorder at this point. I do know I do not want to put my daughter on drugs.  It seems her problem has escalated with school would home schooling her just make the problem even worse and do you think she may have seperation anxiety disorder?

[Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D.]

Dear Christine,

Yes, it is entirley possible that your daughter displays Separation Anxiety Disorder, a fairly common form of the anxiety disorders that have their origins during childhood. And it is very likely that the problem will be exacerbated if you school her at home.

Medication is not always necessary in the treatment of this disorder. Cognitive-behavioral therapy is generally effective, and it is recommended even with children who are taking medication as well.

[Nancy79]

A related discussion, The 7 year old girl in my life is struggling with separation anxiety...I think. was started.