Severe Separation Anxiety | 2 Year Old

[AnotherKitKat]

Our 2 year old son has really bad separation anxiety. It's been on going for months, possibly since just before he turned 1!

Only wants mummy or sometimes only wants daddy (sometimes won't sleep without both being present) especially at afternoon nap time or just before evening sleep. Keeps asking "where's mummy?" Or "where's daddy?" - even after we explain to him where either of us are, he just keeps on asking. Doesn't register the answer. Cries heavily.

Anxiety also permeates into food/eating habits. Doesn't eat much as scared of swallowing. Have been told by Nutrionist he has Selective Eating Disorder. Only has tiny bites. Keep food in mouth for ages. Huge challenge to feed. Started nursery in Sept and has actually been eating well there but not at home.

Thinking to look for a child psychologist! It's really bad.

I would be very grateful to receive any feedback or thoughts on the above situation. Is there anything which we can try?

Art therapist or play therapist may be helpful for him !
I don't know if you're into anything alternate but perhaps Craniosacral Therapy (highly recommend as it helped my daughter a lot as a clingy and anxious child, and the kids I used to babysit too) or Reiki would be good to help him relax. If he won't see a craniosacral therapist as he is too nervous - you can learn Reiki Level 1 yourself by taking a one or two day course and practising on yourself or others - anyone can do this and you can use it as a system of self healing for yourself, your family & pets. It sound mad but it is amazing, so calming and releases emotions that are pent up and need to be felt and moved past. Crying is also very healing.... read the book "Tears Heal: How to listen to our children" by Kate Orson.

We tried few craniosacral therapy sessions as per the previous suggestion. It was very calming. We did see an improvement for a short while. Maybe we should have continued? Now trying homeopathy. Also, a friend has recommended to seek help from a paediatric Occupational Therapist. They think the separation anxiety could be related to Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) - does anyone have any experience with OT or SPD?

How is his development?.. walking, talking, playing etc?

His development in terms of walking, talking and playing is all fine. He's very good at all 3 of those aspects. The main issues being experienced are separation anxiety and fussy eating.

It probably isn't sensory processing issues if his other developments are ok.

Do you have an early years CAMHS in your area?

What was the outcome here? What helped. You have described my son to a tee... Fussy and selective eating. Horrendous and screams until sick if i even go upstairs without him.