让您的孩子在大学或夏令营下，对于父母和孩子来说应该是一个激动人心的时刻，但是如果它会产生重大的焦虑和恐惧感，而不是对您的孩子，而是对您呢？
You may have a case of parental separation anxiety.
Separation anxietyis often something we consider when we see a tiny child with a death grip on their parents’ legs at school drop-off, but it can also impact adults. With many families being connected at the hip during the pandemic, some parents are having a hard time saying goodbye when their kids go back to school and out in the world.
“As parents, our brains are wired to look out for danger and keep our children safe,” said Jerimya Fox, a licensed professional counselor and a doctor of behavioral health atBanner Behavioral Health Hospital. “Unfortunately, our brains haven’t evolved yet to tell the difference between real-life and perceived dangers. This lack of knowing or control can create high levels of anxiety in some parents.”
Do I have parental separation anxiety?
无论您的孩子之后的孤独感飞过鸡舍，还是在产假后留在育儿后的育儿时感到内gui，父母的分离焦虑都会以多种方式影响人们。有些迹象可能更明显，而另一些迹象您可能不会注意到他们开始影响您的生活和心理健康。
Here are a few general signs to watch out for:
- Excessive worrying and catastrophic thinking
- High levels ofanxiety, depression
- 异常困扰和惊恐发作
- Feelings of anger
- 与孩子分开时的身体症状（头痛，恶心，胃痛）
- 不停地需要知道您的孩子始终在哪里
福克斯博士说：“要被诊断出患有分离焦虑症，这些症状必须影响您的日常功能并持续至少6个月。”
我有焦虑的风险吗？
While life events like starting school or going off to college can create difficult periods of adjustment for children and adults, some adults may be more likely to experience separation anxiety.
“Oftentimes those with separation anxiety have other co-existing mental health conditions, such as social anxiety, panic disorders,强迫症或者agoraphobia,” Dr. Fox said. “Other risk factors include significant life changes, such as divorce,death of a family member或者a global pandemic, or growing up withoverbearing parents.”
However, it’s important to note that not everyone with these risk factors will develop separation anxiety. As well, not everyone with separation anxiety has these risk factors.
How can I manage my separation anxiety?
If you’re experiencing separation anxiety and your symptoms are unmanageable, it may be worth contacting a licensed behavioral health specialist for support.
“Therapy, either individual or in a group setting, will help you focus on processing the emotions and loss of control you’re feeling regarding the separation,” Dr. Fox said. “Parents can learn valuable techniques to help reduce their anxiety and fears.”
In addition to therapy, Dr. Fox shared these other tips to help make goodbyes easier for you:
保持忙碌。When the kids leave, focus on things you enjoy doing or that need to be taken care of before they come home. Have things to look forward to and structure your day so you can feel more in control.
Reach out for support.与朋友和家人聚在一起，依靠那些可以同情并了解您正在经历的事情的人。
不要将焦虑转移给孩子。Separation can be difficult for you but do your best to mitigate those feelings in front of your child. Make the transition as fun as possible for your child, whether it’s starting school or sleeping over at a friend’s house.
Give yourself space for your feelings.没有对或错误的感觉。如果您需要感到沮丧，请让自己感到沮丧。
练习放松技术。Deep breathing, meditationand yoga can help with feelings of anxiety when fear comes up.
If you feel like you could benefit from与有执照的行为健康专家交谈，请致电800-254-4357或visit bannerhealth.comto find a specialist near you. Saying goodbye can be hard, but it doesn’t mean you’re alone.
其他有用的博客,查看:
- How to Recognize Your Meta-Emotions and Learn from Them
- Could I Benefit from Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy?
- Could You Be a Lawnmower Parent?
