Separation anxiety
In the case of separation anxiety, children sometimes experience violent fears in the absence of their caregivers. It is a normal development phase that occurs between the 7th and 18th month. The fears that arise during the separation are classified as pathological if “an unusual expression, an abnormal duration beyond the typical age group and, as a result, significant problems in social functions” occur.
Basics
Separation anxiety is often explained in terms of developing attachment as well as progressive cognitive development. The child develops the first basics of object permanence around the 8th month . According to Jean Piaget , object permanence is the knowledge that an object continues to exist even if it is not directly perceived. This seems to be the cognitive prerequisite for developing separation anxiety at all. Before this stage of development (around 6th to 8th months), breakups cause discomfort. But there is still no specific missing of an object, i.e. the reference person.
In the separated state, the child's needs for security, protection, contact and communication seem to be frustrated. In attachment theory, the occurrence of fears after separation from important caregivers is explained as an evolutionary necessity. For the child, maintaining closeness to the caregiver has an existential, vital importance. The fear that arises and the demonstration of protest serve to survive.
Psychopathology
Separation anxiety is considered pathological if the fears shown last longer than most children do, or if they are severe enough to affect social life.
In such a case, separation anxiety is referred to as the child and adolescent psychiatric diagnosis of emotional disorder with separation anxiety of childhood .
literature
- Rainer Rehberger: Abandonment panic and separation anxiety, attachment theory and psychoanalytic practice in anxiety neuroses , 2nd edition, Pfeiffer bei Klett-Cotta, Stuttgart 2000, ISBN 978-3-608-89677-0 ; 3rd edition 2010: ISBN 978-3-608-89110-2 (with the foreword by Klaus Grossmann ).
Individual evidence
- ^ A b Horst Dilling, Werner Mombour, Martin H. Schmidt : International Classification of Mental Disorders. ICD-10 Chapter V (F). Clinical diagnostic guidelines . 5th edition. Huber, Bern 2002.
- ↑ Dornes, M. (1997): The early childhood developmental psychology of the first years of life , Fischer Frankfurt a. M.