Separation anxiety disorder

Separation anxiety disorder (or simply separation anxiety) is a psychological condition in which an individual has excessive anxiety regarding separation from home, or from those with whom the individual has a strong attachment. Separation anxiety is often characterized by some of the following symptoms:

  • Recurring distress when separation from home or subject of attachment occurs or is anticipated
  • Persistent, excessive worry about losing subject of attachment
  • Persistent, excessive worry that some event will lead to separation from a major attachment figure
  • Continuing reluctance or refusal to go to school or elsewhere because of fear of separation
  • Excessive fear about being alone without subject of attachment
  • Persistent reluctance or refusal to go to sleep without being near a major attachment figure or to sleep away from home
  • Recurrent nightmares about separation
  • Repeated complaints of physical symptoms when separation is imminent.


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