Although separation anxieties are normal among infants and toddlers, they are not appropriate for older children or adolescents and may represent symptoms of separation anxiety disorder. To reach the diagnostic threshold for this disorder, the anxiety or fear must cause distress or affect social, academic, or job functioning and must last at least 1 month (DSM-IV). Children with separation anxiety may cling to their parent and have difficulty falling asleep by themselves at night. When separated, they may fear that their parent will be involved in an accident or taken ill, or in some other way be“lost” to the child forever. Their need to stay close to their parent or home may make it difficult for them to attend school or camp, stay at friends’ houses, or be in a room by themselves. Fear of separation can lead to dizziness, nausea, or palpitations (DSM-IV).
Mental Health: A Report of the Surgeon General, Chapter 3 Separation Anxiety Disorder
Related Resources:
Coping with Children's Anxiety
Strategies for parents to cope with children's anxiety and improve well-being at home and school.
Separation Anxiety Disorder Links
Additional resources for parents of children with separation anxiety disorder.
Elsewhere on the Web:
DSM-IV Diagnostic Criteria - Separation Anxiety Disorder
What the professionals use to diagnose this disorder. BehaveNet Clinical Capsules
Related Terms
