Separation Anxiety

Separation anxiety is normal in very young children (between 8 and 14 months old). Kids often go through a phase when they are "clingy" and afraid of unfamiliar people and places. When this fear occurs in a child over age 6 years, is excessive, and lasts longer than four weeks, the child may have separation anxiety disorder.

Separation anxiety disorder is a condition in which a child becomes fearful and nervous when away from home or separated from a loved one, usually a parent or other caregiver, to whom the child is attached. Some children also develop physical symptoms such as headaches or stomachaches at the thought of being separated. The fear of separation causes great distress to the child and may interfere with the child's normal activities, such as going to school or playing with other children.

​The following are some of the most common symptoms of separation anxiety disorder:

• an unrealistic and lasting worry that something bad will happen to the parent or caregiver if the child leaves

• an unrealistic and lasting worry that something bad will happen to the child if he or she leaves the caregiver

• refusal to go to school in order to stay with the caregiver

• refusal to go to sleep without the caregiver being nearby or to sleep away from home

• fear of being alone

• nightmares about being separated

• bed wetting

• complaints of physical symptoms, such as headaches and stomachaches, on school days

• repeated temper tantrums or pleading