Coping with separation anxiety

Separation anxiety is a typical anxiety that manifests itself in the form of worry, concern, fear, or panic that comes with being apart, separated, or losing an attachment figure. This could be a parent, partner, person, children, pet, in some cases it could be spaces and objects.


Coping With Separation Anxiety (Photo by Jeff James on Unsplash)



No matter how much we like to live in peace and harmony, but as long as there are human beings, conflicts are bound to happen, however, smart people resolve conflicts and don\’t run away from them. You can\’t really anticipate and prevent most conflicts, but you can deal with them before they erupt into major confrontations as conflicts routinely happen in offices and homes.

Negotiation tips for adults:

In an interview with HT Lifestyle, Shweta Singh, PhD MSW, Professor and Life Coach at Loyola University Chicago and founder of Think Women Company shared, Conflicts happen for a variety of reasons, with the main reason being expectations are a mismatch. Also, sometimes the values ​​\\u200b\\u200bare different, thinking is different. Perspective is important and most people want to explain their reasons. With reason, you can resolve conflicts and not dissolve relationships. Unresolved conflicts lead to broken relationships and can lead to separations and divorces.



She pointed out, \”A breakup in a relationship makes people feel rejected, unwanted, and insecure, which isn\’t easy to deal with alone.\” Their self-esteem takes a hit and it becomes a vicious cycle of negativity. Digging a little deeper, at the heart of the conflict, there is pain and disappointment a disappointment that states, I expected and therefore imagined X, but got Y. This seems unfair and the inability to express it leads people to internalize pain and then manifests as anger. Just like the basic needs of the body, the needs for emotional fulfillment are also essential. When people lose that sense of contentment, it raises other doubts and also leads to separation anxiety.

Stating that a relationship can evolve over time, Shweta Singh said, When we enter a relationship, we also have to anticipate problems, hurt disappointment and maybe separation. This makes it easier to deal with the breakup in the relationship and the separation anxiety that comes with it. Otherwise it can be overwhelming. Families also stick together even when the relationship between husband and wife breaks down. It is important to always introduce a relative perception. No absolutes in life, after all. So start one step at a time and stay in a balanced perspective. One day it becomes the past but the journey of anxiety can be a line of discovery and renewal of a different type of relationship. Always keeping an open mind and sensitivity to each other helps diffuse conflict. In the end all feelings are valid and the conversation brings reason and perspective.

Negotiation Tips For Kids:



Meghna Yadav, a child psychologist and consultant in charge of education and development at the KLAY Center for Child Development and Care, pointed out that separation anxiety is common in young children, especially when they are about to start school or attend daycare. after a long summer vacation. To begin with, parents need to be aware that this can be very stressful not only for children but for parents as well, and it is this acceptance that allows parents to be able to deal with anxiety more effectively and be able to support their own children in managing these feelings as well.

She advised, Open communication with your child about upcoming changes is a good way to prepare them in advance for school. Additionally, constant repetition over a period of time, leading up to an eventual return to school, helps reinforce the message on a subconscious level and can lead to a more positive overall experience. Finally, following a routine that mirrors the school timetable is a wonderful way to reset your child\’s biological clock well in advance and also allows them to gradually get back into the routine. Finally, and most importantly, what the parent hears and emits is easily transmitted to the child, and in light of this, it is essential that a positive attitude and a happy atmosphere around the child demonstrate trust in the school so that the child learns which is a safe space for them.

Coping With Separation Anxiety In General:



Shubhangi Rastogi, founder of Mind Alcove, pointed out: \”In particular in adults there may be fear or panic due to big life changes, such as moving for college, or a favorite city, a new job, adjusting after marriage , having a child , separation from a romantic partner or breakdown of a marriage, friendship or relationship, or death.Physical symptoms are often seen in these individuals ranging from headaches, nausea, heart palpitations, excessive sweating or nervous energy. It could impact your sleep, social life, and work.

He suggested a 4-step process for dealing with separation anxiety:

  1. Plan ahead: Individuals experience separation anxiety due to fear of the unknown. Planning ahead helps prepare your mind and body to expect change or separation to happen.
  2. Start small: Break your separation time into smaller time slots to get comfortable at a convenient pace. If a parent is looking to return to work, they should start by spending a couple of hours away from home for a week to let the feeling sink in for both parent and child.
  3. Be consistent: Slowly increase the time apart to make him comfortable and relaxed during the hours apart. The key here is acceptance that this is a temporary separation and not a permanent one. In case you plan to move cities or towns, start incorporating some things like food or culture from the new location to make yourself more comfortable for a more permanent change.
  4. Have faith: The most important aspect is to have faith in yourself and in the process. Once you\’ve created the systems to keep things comfortable for your loved ones and yourself, have that faith and continue your work peacefully.


Feeling anxious while leaving a loved one is a completely normal emotion. It\’s important to step out of that comfort zone and use the above four steps to deal with this anxiety. Once this goal is achieved, it will be easier to go about the daily routine in a calm way.

#Coping #separation #anxiety

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