Adults with Separation Anxiety Disorder

Adults have separation anxiety disorder that occurs when the individual “…experiences excessive fear or anxiety concerning separation from those to whom the individual is attached…” The person to whom the anxious individual is “attached,” is typically a close blood relative, a spouse or intimate partner, or roommate. As a result of these routine periods of separation, the adult may experience constant worry about being apart from their spouse or family. Also, they may have nightmares, be unable to leave the home to go to work, struggle with physical complaints, and other symptoms all of which significantly impacts their life.

“The road to success is always under construction.” – Lily Tomlin

Separation Anxiety Disorder Adults Symptoms

Separation anxiety in adults looks like a heightened state of anxiety that could include panic attacks when met with separation or the idea of separation from loved ones. Emphatically, it may include a refusal to honor boundaries and difficulty with eating and sleeping habits due to separation. Adults may find it hard to partake in daily activities and become withdrawn as a result. At length, some manifest their anxiety by having poor boundaries with children or partners.

Symptoms of separation anxiety in adults include:

Firstly, fear of being alone
Worries that a loved one will be hurt
Fear of being away from loved one
Depression
Physical pain
Headaches
General anxiety and agitation
Obsessive thoughts
Being withdrawn and isolated
Changes in sleep and eating habits
Mood swings
Restlessness
Muscle tension
Lastly, inability to focus

Consequently, other symptoms in adults include:

Panic attacks when you can’t reach loved ones.
Fear that you or a loved one will get injured during separation.
Social withdrawal.
Lastly, difficulty concentrating.

“We may encounter many defeats but we must not be defeated.” – Maya Angelou

Coping with Adult Separation Anxiety

 CBT for Separation Anxiety in Adults

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is a widely recognized and evidence-based approach for treating separation anxiety disorder. It especially focuses on identifying and challenging irrational thoughts and beliefs that contribute to anxiety, while also teaching practical skills to manage distressing emotions.

Even more, CBT for adult separation anxiety aims to modify maladaptive behaviors and gradually expose individuals to anxiety-provoking situations, helping them build confidence and develop effective coping mechanisms. Therefore, this therapy provides a structured and goal-oriented approach, making it highly suitable for addressing separation anxiety disorder in both children and adults.

 Separation Anxiety Medication for Adults

What helps adults with separation anxiety disorder? SSRIs and SNRIs are often the first-line treatment for anxiety. For example, common SSRI brands are Celexa, Lexapro, Luvox, Paxil, and Zoloft. Common SNRI brands are Pristiq, Cymbalta, and Effexor XR.

Pros: SSRIs work for a lot of people who suffer from symptoms of anxiety and they have a solid safety profile.

Cons: They can take four to six weeks to build up in your system. They could cause nausea, vomiting or diarrhea and could lead to low sodium levels. For a small number of people, they cause sexual side effects.

Abilify and Seroquel

For example, Abilify and Seroquel are antipsychotic drugs that can treat a range of mental health and mood disorders by helping to balance certain brain chemicals.

Pros: They work quickly, so you can get relief within a few days.

Cons: They can make you drowsy, though that can be a benefit if you’re having trouble sleeping. They can cause muscle stiffness, spasms, dry mouth and involuntary body movements.

Benzodiazepines
For example, benzodiazepines are tranquilizers—common types are diazepam (Valium), alprazolam (Xanax) and lorazepam (Ativan).

Pro: They can give you immediate relief.
Cons: You can only use them short-term since you can become dependent on them and build up resistance to them.

Beta blockers
What beta blockers helps adults with separation anxiety disorder? For example, the beta blocker Propranolol is approved for social anxiety.

Pros: You can take it to reduce anxiety before stage performances or public speaking. It doesn’t make you sleepy.

Cons: It can increase the risk of low blood pressure or dizziness.

“The only Limit to our realization of tomorrow will be our doubts of today.” – Franklin D. Roosevelt

Conclusion

Here is the separation anxiety in adults quiz to see if you are dealing with it or not.

There are many ways to address and overcome challenges with adult separation anxiety, like talking to a therapist or reaching out to a trusted friend or family member can make an enormous difference in how you feel. Learning to manage and cope with anxiety can take time, but try to remember to have patience with yourself—healing is possible.

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