What causes Separation Anxiety Disorder?

Researchers believe that a combination of family and biological influences contribute to the development of Separation Anxiety Disorder. Studies show that young children who experience a major change in a primary caregiver (through a loss or adoption) are more likely to develop Separation Anxiety Disorder. Children who exhibit shyness at early stages may also be more prone to anxiety. Research suggests that anxiety disorders may be caused by a chemical imbalance involving norepinephrine and serotonin. Anxiety tends to run in families, but whether the link is genetic or learned behavior has not yet been determined.

Some of the more common causes of anxiety related emotional disturbances are overviewed below:

Genetics and Early Learning

Anxiety disorders tend to run in families, so if a person’s mom, dad, or other close relative has anxiety, they have a higher chance of developing anxiety themselves.

Brain Biochemistry

Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers in the brain that regulate a person’s thoughts and feelings. Sometimes there is a problem with the way the brain’s messages are being sent due to a chemical imbalance. Two of the primary neurotransmitters that affect a person’s feelings are serotonin and dopamine. When there is an imbalance of these chemicals, a person can feel depressed or anxious.
Learn more about chemical imbalance

Fight or Flight Mechanism

When a person senses danger, the body prepares itself to either fight (defend itself) or flee (run away from the situation). The body’s fight or flight mechanism causes the heart rate to increase, the eyes to dilate, and the body to prepare itself for a dangerous situation. These responses allow a person to protect him/herself. Even though these effects are intended to be a good thing, sometimes the body misunderstands a situation and believes that there is danger when in reality there is not (taking a test, losing a favorite toy, etc). There is a part of the brain called the amygdala that triggers the fight or flight response. This part of the brain is trained to remember the thing that triggered the fight or flight mechanism (taking a test or losing a favorite toy). This is the brain’s attempt to protect the person from future danger by keeping track of all things that might cue danger. Even though this part of the brain is trying to protect a person, it can be the cause of much unnecessary anxiety. The brain has to be “re-trained” to not react in fight or flight to something that is not actually dangerous.

Cognitve Behavior Therapy has been structured in such a way that children can learn how to identify the triggers that cause the anxiety and establish coping techniques to immediately deal with these situations.
Learn how Cognitive Behavior Therapy can help