Twins often grow together and experience almost everything together. However, when they grow older and begin to discover new things individually, there might be a time that your twins might need to be separated. Twin separation anxiety might occur if one or both of your twins are unable to get by being separated from each other. In this article, let’s find out about separation anxiety which is unique to twins.
What is twin separation anxiety?
Missing a loved one is just normal for humans. But, when longing for someone leads to extreme emotions or anxiety, it might be separation anxiety disorder which is caused by an imbalance in brain chemicals. Moreover, this type of anxiety is more common among maternal or fraternal twins who grew up together. But, separation anxiety may also affect singletons when they are separated from their mothers. Twins have to cope up with separation from their mother and their twin. Fortunately, twin separation anxiety may be addressed at a younger age, so your twins may not have socialization problems later in life.
Separation anxiety in twins is an extreme reaction with normal circumstances during separation. However, growing up, separation might be inevitable for twins. Parents may address the behavior by talking to their twins and helping them understand that their separation is only temporary in some instances. Moreover, if separation anxiety has led to twin dependence and other anti-social behavior, you may seek the help of a therapist for your twins.
Signs of separation anxiety in twins
Separation anxiety and simply missing each other may be very different for twins. Furthermore, missing someone is a normal human reaction to longing for someone. On the other hand, showing extreme signs of anxiety during a brief separation might be detrimental. These are some of the tell-tale signs of separation anxiety that commonly occur among twins:
- Worrying too much about their twin or parent when not within sight
- Horrible thoughts about their parent or twin even during brief episodes of separation
- Refusal to allow parents and their twin out of their sight
- Not going to bed when their twin is not around
- Tailing their twin or parent too much even when at home
- Random complaints about headache, stomach ache, body ache that are caused by anxiety when about to be separated from their twin or parent
- Obvious signs of distress when the twin or parent is not around
- Muscle tension
- Panic attacks or tantrums
- Other signs and symptoms of anxiety disorder
When do twins grow out of separation issues?
If your twins easily grow out of suspected separation anxiety, then, probably, they are just very close and they do not have a separation anxiety disorder. Moreover, in separation anxiety disorder, it is notable that the symptoms only intensify overtime which may eventually lead to impairment to one or both of the twins. Closeness among twins who grew up together is normal, but separation anxiety disorder in twins may lead to social and mental impairment if not addressed as soon as the signs and symptoms were observed.
What is a reminder token?
A reminder token is an item that reminds the twins of each other or their mothers. Moreover, when separation anxiety occurs, a reminder token might help your twins get by. Early signs of separation anxiety usually start when the twins have to be separated for extended periods. When the twins begin school and have to attend separate classes, this might trigger separation anxiety between them. A reminder token is a simple item that the twins might attribute to their mother or each other which reminds them of the presence of the person that they are missing.
A reminder token might ease separation anxiety in twins for certain age groups. However, it is not a sure way to manage symptoms of separation anxiety in twins. At first, reminder tokens might work. But, if signs of separation anxiety in your twins are still being observed, a therapist might be needed to help your twins live a normal life until adulthood without separation anxiety.
Why are twins very close to each other?
Twins often grow up together and they are not used to the absence of the other. Moreover, the relationship between twins is more complicated than most people think. Also, twins are so close to each other that they are still able to understand each other when they invent their autonomous language. It is not surprising if one or both twins don’t feel comfortable being far apart.
Twins are so close because they are used to having shared experiences with each other. Moreover, there is a notable adjustment period among twins when separated. However, not all twins exhibit signs of separation anxiety. On the contrary, some might even want some “alone time” away from their twin.
How to prevent twin separation anxiety?
At the moment, there is no known preventive measure for separation anxiety disorder in twins. However, early detection of this type of anxiety might make it more manageable for your children in the future. Moreover, the impact of separation anxiety in the lives of your twins might greatly be reduced with early detection and adequate medication or therapy. Separation anxiety disorder in twins may be detrimental to the twins’ social life during adolescence and adulthood. Early detection is the only way to prevent separation anxiety disorder from getting worse.
Conclusion
Twin separation anxiety is a disorder that is caused by chemical imbalances in the brain. Furthermore, this imbalance causes twins to have extreme reactions towards separation or anticipated separation. There is no known prevention for this disorder. However, therapists may help manage the symptoms of separation anxiety before it gets worse to prevent impairment.
