Separation anxiety disorder is one of the sub-categories of anxiety disorders. In this disorder, a person is afraid of being separated or losing his family or loved ones. In this article, we talk about social anxiety disorder and its causes and ways to treat it. What is separation anxiety disorder? Separation anxiety disorder is a type of severe fear of being separated or losing loved ones in life and family. Separation anxiety disorder is common in children due to leaving their parents or caregivers, however, this disorder also exists in adults. The existence of this disorder may be rooted in childhood. What are the symptoms of separation anxiety disorder? Social anxiety disorder has symptoms. including: - Nightmares during sleep - Fear of being alone - Difficulty concentrating - Social withdrawal - Constant fear of being kidnapped - Occurrence of panic attack if alone - Anxiety and fear during separation - Fear of bad things happening to loved ones and family during separation Causes of separation anxiety disorder Genetics and family history Parents who themselves suffer from separation anxiety disorder, if not treated, their children may also suffer from this disorder. Brain structure A part of the human brain is responsible for fear, which, by establishing this feeling, activates a combative or escape response in the body. This part is called amygdala. In people with anxiety disorder, the separation of this part of the brain is more active and needs treatment. Addiction to tobacco If the parents are addicted to smoking or if the mother smokes during pregnancy, the risk of this disorder in the child is higher. Strong sense of attachment Communication style and attachment are related to this disorder. If a person has strong attachment to the people around him, he will be in torment if he is separated from them. Complications of separation anxiety disorder Separation anxiety disorder makes a person face many challenges that are unpleasant. Complications of separation anxiety disorder include: **depression** This condition causes bad behavior in a person, including feelings of hopelessness, worthlessness, pessimism, and impatience, and the person loses interest in daily activities. **Psychiatric disorders** A person may suffer from stress disorder, panic disorder in facing life issues, or eating disorder, etc. **Reluctance and decreased motivation to live** A person may become distant from his friends and peers and it may be difficult for him to establish new relationships. He may also have arguments and conflicts with his loved ones. **Incidence of physical diseases** A person may be susceptible to heart, digestive and vascular diseases. He also turned to drugs or alcohol. **problem sleeping** A person may not be able to have the normal process of rest and sleep and suffer from nightmares while sleeping. **Obsession** A person may be obsessed or anxious about issues, such as severe anxiety about death or contracting an illness. ** practical obsession ** It is a behavior that is done repeatedly to reduce the anxiety caused by obsessive thoughts. For example, a person washes his hands many times or uses alcohol to reduce the anxiety caused by dirty hands. ** Ways to prevent separation anxiety disorder ** Methods of preventing separation anxiety disorder: - Doing meditation - Doing yoga - Doing aerobics and swimming - Having a proper diet - Use of vitamins and minerals - Eating fruits with high fiber - Eating herbal teas and foods containing omega 3 - Avoid drinking coffee and tea and energy drinks with high sugar **Treatments for separation anxiety disorder** If there are symptoms of separation anxiety disorder and suffering from it, there are ways to treat it. such as: ### 1**. Psychological treatments** A person can recover by consulting a doctor with psychological therapy. Cognitive-behavioral therapy This approach helps the patient to correct wrong behaviors and beliefs. Exposure therapy This method gradually places the patient in situations that cause separation anxiety so that he can cope with it. ### 2**. Drug treatment** Anti-anxiety drugs: are among the drugs that are effective in the treatment of separation anxiety disorder. Such as: antidepressants. In more severe cases, antipsychotic drugs are prescribed. Do not use medicine for treatment without a doctor's prescription. ### 3. **Complementary treatments** - Learning stress relief methods - Daily practice of meditation - Participation in social and group activities ### 4. Family participation - The presence of the family in the process of treating the disorder - Necessary education for the family about this disorder and ways of prevention and treatment The occurrence of this disorder is different in different people, also there is a specific treatment for each person. Choosing the best treatment method is done by visiting a doctor. **Conclusion** In general, this is a mental disorder and if not treated, it may cause practical and physical diseases. In this article, we talked briefly and usefully about this disease and ways to prevent and treat it.