Many of you may have already heard of the term ‘separation anxiety’ which refers to being afraid to get separated from a particular person. Even I get worried about my loved ones. But the worry must not hamper regular life. Today we will know about separation anxiety including how to manage it.

Symptoms:

• Being afraid about harm, injury or death of loved ones.
• Tendency to always stay near to loved ones.
• Unwillingness and struggle to sleep without loved ones due to the fear that something bad may happen to them.
• Getting excessively worried when becoming separated from loved ones.
• Experiencing physical problems (such as: pain, headache, digestion problem) during the events of separation.

The symptoms may last more than six months.

Management for separation anxiety:

• Going slow: At first stay separate from the loved ones for a brief period and if necessary, stay with another favorite person during that time.
• Taking ‘goodbye moments’ seriously: Make goodbye moments memorable by saying goodbye in the best possible happy manner.
• Keeping something of loved one: Keep something that the loved person uses regularly, it can be a dress, water bottle, or anything. It can help to give a little bit of comfort to deal with separation anxiety.
• Making plans: Making plans of what can be done once loved ones are back and really execute those plans.
• Keeping notes: It can be crucial to keep notes when the events of anxiety are starting and whether there is any family history of separation anxiety.
• Seeking professional help: If necessary, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), anti-anxiety medications, Family Therapy, Group Therapy etc can be taken under the supervision of experts.