Separation anxiety can hinder the overall functioning of the child. The child may not be able to socialize with peers and throw tantrums. It can affect communication skills, and the child becomes disturbed. Therefore, parents must understand the child’s needs and take steps to make the child calm and comfortable. However, if the child remains anxious for days, they must confer with a child specialist in Lahore.
Starting school can be a difficult phase for caregivers and the child. The change in the environment can lead to anxiousness, but with love and support the transition can be easy. Caregivers must support their children engage in different social activities to make them comfortable before starting school. It will help the child feel comfortable with others.
What is Separation Anxiety?
The child suffers from anxiousness when separated from the caregivers. The child has a fear of being separated from family members. Children starting preschool may throw tantrums due to the anxiety of being away from their loved ones. However, it is a developmental process, and the child is more likely to adjust to the new environment through support and love.
What are the symptoms that your child is suffering from separation anxiety?
The caregivers must monitor the child’s behavior when they have an environmental transition. The symptoms of separation anxiety are:
- The child remains anxious and remains agitated. They feel uncomfortable meeting people at school.
- The child does not engage with people.
- The child does not respond positively to the people at the school
- The child remains close to the parents
- The child throws tantrums while attending school.
- The child creates a fuss and cries while the parents leave the school premises.
- The child seems fearful of the new people at the school.
- The child does not want to play with children of the same age group.
- The child does not happily eat their food.
What causes the child to suffer from separation anxiety?
The causes of separation anxiety are:
- The child who has lost a close one is more likely to have attachment with other family members, and fear being away from them.
- Changing school can cause anxiety. The change in the environment and being away from old friends can lead to separation anxiety.
- If the child has a close family member suffering from a mental disorder, then the chances of separation anxiety increase.
- Children diagnosed with a social anxiety disorder or panic attack are more lily to be fearful of being separated from their family members. The guardians must be careful, or it can exacerbate the child’s condition and hinder cognitive and social development.
- Children with overprotective families struggle to adjust to a different environment. The children may not feel comfortable with others and take longer to adjust to their peers and teachers at school. The children may also struggle in socializing and making friends.
How can you help caregivers helps their child suffering from separation anxiety?
It is essential that caregivers understand that the transition can lead to anxiety and help the child by:
- The parents must talk to the child about school and activities that will help them learn about their favorite things.
- The parents must reassure the child that they will be waiting for them at home.
- The parents should spend some time at the school with them; it will help manage the anxiety.
- If the child throws tantrums, then the separation time should be kept short.
- Reinforce the child by preparing their favorite food for lunchtime.
- The parents must keep the goodbye short.
- The caregivers should ask the n about their activities at school. It will reinforce the child to go back the next day and learn new skills.
Caregivers who fear their child will exhibit symptoms of separation anxiety must talk to a specialist at Ali Medical Centre. The specialist will provide guidance regarding reinforcing the child and making relevant lifestyle-changing that will help the child adjust to the new environment.
