Understanding Separation Anxiety Disorder
Posted: October 2, 2023
Separation anxiety disorder causes a person to worry excessively about being separated from someone who’s close to them. For example, someone with this type of anxiety may worry about being separated from a parent or caregiver.
This anxiety disorder most commonly affects children. While it’s normal for infants and toddlers to experience separation anxiety, they usually outgrow the issue once they turn 3 years old—if a child continues experiencing separation anxiety after reaching that age, there’s a chance they may have separation anxiety disorder, especially if their worries are intense enough to interfere with routine activities. It’s also important to note that although most cases of separation anxiety disorder occur in children, this condition can also affect teenagers and adults.
My roots are in South Carolina, but I am proud to call South Florida my home. I love this city, the people, the families, and the South Florida community as a whole. I am experienced with children, adolescents and adults, providing individual, couple, family, and group therapy.
I am passionate about helping individuals dealing with adjustment issues, depression, anxiety, grief & loss, trauma, self-esteem issues, eating and other body related concerns, and relationships. I also have experience supporting individuals in coping with life transitions, identity concerns, and personal development.
I am passionate about couples work and like to utilize the Gottman Method of Couples Therapy to help disarm conflicting communication; increase intimacy, respect, and affection; remove barriers that create a feeling of stagnancy; and create a heightened sense of empathy and understanding within the context of the relationship. I played soccer at the University of South Carolina and enjoy working with athletes and anybody recovering from any issues associated with sports settings. I combine different approaches by emphasizing my clients’ talents and resources.
I see each person’s life experience, that they have been willing to share, as a gift. I am passionate about helping people grow in their lives and relationships, leading to greater peace, purpose, happiness, and fulfillment. My hope is to create an encouraging space for my clients to reach their desired goals/experiences. I integrate a variety of therapeutic approaches to address the specific needs throughout the therapeutic process. My experience, family, sports, and Carolina background have influenced how much I care for and honor my clientele.
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What Are the Symptoms of Separation Anxiety Disorder?
As noted above, the hallmark symptom of separation anxiety disorder is an intense fear of being separated from a loved one. Someone with this type of anxiety may:- Constantly worry that they’ll get lost or be kidnapped, or that their loved one will become ill or get into an accident
- Have nightmares about being separated from their loved one
- Refuse to leave their loved one’s side (children with this anxiety disorder are often reluctant to sleep in their own bed at night)
- Experience headaches or stomachaches before having to be separated from their loved one