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Behavioural and Developmental Disorders - Internal Behaviour Disorders

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Topics

Estimated time: 14 minutes
  • Why SAD Matters?
  • Normal vs. SAD
  • Symptoms
  • Causes and Risk Factors
  • Prevention and Help
  • Key Points: Internal Behaviour Disorders
CISCE: Class 12

Why SAD Matters?

  • Overcontrolled children develop internalising problems like anxiety, phobias, shyness, withdrawal, and depression.
  • Separation Anxiety Disorder (SAD) affects about 4% of children and disrupts school, sleep, and social life.
  • If untreated, SAD can cause long-term academic and emotional problems.
CISCE: Class 12

Normal vs. SAD

  • Normal separation anxiety peaks at 8–18 months and usually disappears by age 3.
  • Separation Anxiety Disorder (SAD) begins in preschool years and continues beyond the normal stage, causing excessive distress.
  • Unlike normal brief crying, SAD leads to long-lasting fear that disrupts daily functioning.
CISCE: Class 12

Symptoms

  • Children show intense fear when separated from parents, crying excessively at school or when left alone.
  • They constantly worry about harm to themselves or their parents, such as illness, accidents, or kidnapping.
  • They avoid school, social events, sleepovers, and refuse to stay without a parent.
  • Nightmares and physical complaints like headaches or stomachaches occur before separation.
CISCE: Class 12

Causes and Risk Factors

  • Life stressors like family moves, divorce, or illness can trigger SAD in vulnerable children.
  • Both genetic and environmental factors contribute to its development.
  • Over-controlling parenting increases risk by limiting independence.
  • SAD is often associated with panic disorder, depression, and social withdrawal.
CISCE: Class 12

Prevention and Help

  • Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is the most effective treatment for SAD.
  • Parents should consistently follow the full treatment plan.
  • Parents with anxiety or depression should seek help to model healthy coping.
  • Early intervention prevents school refusal and long-term emotional problems.
CISCE: Class 12

Key Points: Internal Behaviour Disorders

  • Separation Anxiety Disorder (SAD) is an internalising disorder where a child shows excessive fear of separation from parents or loved ones.
  • It is normal in early childhood, but becomes a disorder when it is intense, persistent, and disrupts daily functioning.
  • Symptoms include excessive worry about losing parents, refusal to leave home, nightmares about separation, and physical complaints like headaches or stomachaches.
  • Causes include life stress, separation experiences, and genetic factors.
  • Early professional help, especially Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), along with parental support, can reduce the severity of the disorder.

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