Does My Child Have Separation Anxiety Disorder?

Does your child show recurrent excessive distress when separated from major attachment figures?

Does your child show persistent and excessive worry about losing major attachment figures or possible harm to them?

Does your child show persistent and excessive worry about experiencing an untoward event that causes separation from a major attachment figure?

Does your child show persistent refusal to go out because of fear of separation?

Does your child show persistent and excessive fear of being without major attachment figures?

Does your child show persistent refusal to go to sleep without being near a major attachment figure?

Does your child experience repeated nightmares about separation?

Does your child show repeated complaints of physical symptoms when separated from major attachment figures?

Is the fear, anxiety, or avoidance persisting, lasting at least 4 weeks?

Does the problem cause significant impairment in social, academic, occupational or other important areas of functioning?

Can you confirm that the disturbance is not better explained by other mental disorders, such as refusal to go outside without a trusted companion in agoraphobia; or concerns about having an illness in illness anxiety disorder?

Based on your answers, it is unlikely that your child has separation anxiety disorder.

There may be no need to worry. Separation anxiety is normal in infants and toddlers, but children should outgrow separation anxiety when they reach around 3 years of age. If this is not the case and if it causes problems during school or other activities, there is a possibility that he/she has developed separation anxiety disorder. Separation anxiety disorder occurs less often in teenagers and adults, but it may happen. If you have concerns, it may be important to visit your doctor and describe your child’s symptoms.

While your child probably does not have separation anxiety disorder, it may be useful to talk to your doctor. The doctor will decide if the child has a serious separation problem or not and if treatment is necessary. Separation anxiety will only go away with treatment. Separation anxiety disorder should be treated as soon as possible, because it can cause many other problems in functioning at school, work or in other social situations. Disorders that usually come together with separation anxiety disorder are other types of anxiety disorders like obsessive-compulsive disorder or depression.

You should take your child to your doctor. The doctor will ask you about your child's symptoms and make a final diagnosis. You should know that preventing separation anxiety disorder may not be possible, but there are some things that you as a parent can do. For example, seek medical attention as soon as you think your child is showing symptoms of the disorder. When an early diagnosis is made, treatment can help the symptoms from getting worse. Make sure that your child always sticks to the treatment plan.