Attention, chocolate lovers: You may not be able to help yourselves. Swiss and British scientists have linked the widespread love of chocolate to a chemical "signature" that may be programmed into our metabolic systems.
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Separation Anxiety
Separation Anxiety
Separation anxiety in childhood is the anxiety that goes along with the fear of being separated from parents or parent figures.
What is the information for this topic?
Separation anxiety is a common psychological problem in children. It appears at about 8 months of age and may continue until about the age of 2. These children fear that harm will come to them or they will be lost when their parents or caregivers are away. They may also fear that some harm might occur to their parents. Separation anxiety may not occur until there is some change in the child's routine or a stressful event occurs. This can include starting preschool, a parent starting to work outside the home, changing schools, or a serious illness.
From a psychological point of view, the anxiety that a child feels when he or she is separated from a parent or caregiver means that the child has a secure attachment to the parent. The child is beginning to understand that people are separate beings and that a parent can be somewhere else. The child is anxious because he or she wants the parent to remain close.
Young children do not understand the concept of time. They do not understand that when a caregiver is not at their side they do not fail to exist or will never return. Separation anxiety should be considered serious when the child remains upset in a new setting or with a new caretaker for more than a few weeks. The anxiety may be severe enough to interrupt normal playing, eating, and sleep habits. When this occurs, counseling may be necessary.
Some suggestions for coping with separation anxiety include:
Most children experience some degree of anxiety when separated from a loved one. In general, there should be few problems if: