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Child Behavior (Expert Forum)
Seperation Anxiety
Answered by
Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D. - Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy, Family Therapy, Crisis Intervention
Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates
This forum is for questions and support regarding child behavior issues such: Child Discipline (behavior management), Normal Child Development, Parent-Child Communications, Social Development
Seperation Anxiety
by dar, Mar 09, 2001 12:00AM
My daughter is 7 years old very close to turning 8. She has always been a bit of a worrier, sometimes needing reassurance, but in the past month or so she is showing signs of seperation anxiety when going to school in the morning. It usually manifests itself with belly pain and tears. When we ask her what is making her upset she admits to be frightened that something is going to happen to myself or her Dad when we are at work. There have been no changes in our lives, no recent losses or injuries,and no changes in her school routine. Her teacher says that she is doing well in class and has not noticed any changes in her behavior. I am a nurse and have been working days since Sept. prior to that I always worked evenings or nights. I am unsure if there is a link between the two. We are desperately looking for some answers or help. Thanks
Doctor's Answer
by Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D., Mar 10, 2001 12:00AM
, Mar 10, 2001 12:00AM
This is likely not related to the work schedule, given the timing of the behavior. Sometimes it's not immediately clear what precipitates separation anxiety, but you can rest assured your daughter is uneasy about something. Causes for unsettledness needn't be dramatic - in fact, from an objective point of view the precipitants can be subtle. All I can advise you to do is (a) scrutinize the home and out-of-home (incl. school) environments for changes or developments, and listen carefully to what your daughter is expressing, and (b) be sure to insist on regular school attendance and in no way offer any direct or secondary gain. Be attentive and supportive, but firm and decisive at the same time.
However this disorder seems to have manifested itself and we are seeing other signs of anxiety with her. We literally cannot get her to a dentist, or should I say we make the trip there and end up leaving shortly after, she usually ends up getting sick at the denist.
She has a clogged duct in her left eye that needs medical treatment but we literally cannot get her to coorperate, again she get's physically sick instantly.
She will not stay with anyone anymore outside of my husband or myself and in the event she is coaxed into it, she worries the entire time and questions when I will be back.
I feel like my world is crashing down on me, I'm not sure how to handle these situations. She is in the beginning stages of therapy so nothing concrete has been determined.
Until we can come to a resolution does anyone have any suggestions? Is it better to be rigid with her all the time, can I show her any sympathy. My heart is literally broken.
I'm not sure how much more I can take.
Please help if you can.
However this disorder seems to have manifested itself and we are seeing other signs of anxiety with her. We literally cannot get her to a dentist, or should I say we make the trip there and end up leaving shortly after, she usually ends up getting sick at the denist.
She has a clogged duct in her left eye that needs medical treatment but we literally cannot get her to coorperate, again she get's physically sick instantly.
She will not stay with anyone anymore outside of my husband or myself and in the event she is coaxed into it, she worries the entire time and questions when I will be back.
I feel like my world is crashing down on me, I'm not sure how to handle these situations. She is in the beginning stages of therapy so nothing concrete has been determined.
Until we can come to a resolution does anyone have any suggestions? Is it better to be rigid with her all the time, can I show her any sympathy. My heart is literally broken.
I'm not sure how much more I can take.
Please help if you can.
However this disorder seems to have manifested itself and we are seeing other signs of anxiety with her. We literally cannot get her to a dentist, or should I say we make the trip there and end up leaving shortly after, she usually ends up getting sick at the denist.
She has a clogged duct in her left eye that needs medical treatment but we literally cannot get her to coorperate, again she get's physically sick instantly.
She will not stay with anyone anymore outside of my husband or myself and in the event she is coaxed into it, she worries the entire time and questions when I will be back.
I feel like my world is crashing down on me, I'm not sure how to handle these situations. She is in the beginning stages of therapy so nothing concrete has been determined.
Until we can come to a resolution does anyone have any suggestions? Is it better to be rigid with her all the time, can I show her any sympathy. My heart is literally broken.
I'm not sure how much more I can take.
Please help if you can.