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Separation anxiety disorder

Separation anxiety disorder is a disorder usually diagnosed in childhood or adolescence characterized by excessive anxiety concerning separation from the home or from those to whom the individual is attached. Symptoms of separation anxiety disorder include:
  • Persistent and excessive worry about losing the individual's parent or caregiver
  • Persistent and excessive fear that harm will come to the individual's parent or caregiver
  • Reluctance or refusal to go to school or elsewhere because of fear of separation
  • Reluctance or refusal to go to sleep without being near a major attachment figure
  • Repeated nightmares involving the theme of separation
  • Complaints of physical symptoms (headaches, stomachaches, nausea, vomiting, etc.) when separation occurs or is anticipated

How Mindsite can help

Get diagnosed online - take our free survey Ask the community - ask questions and get answers View articles and videos - browse related content posted by the Mindsite community Research signs and symptoms - Read the criteria professionals use to diagnose this disorder

Find out if you show symptoms of separation anxiety disorder by taking our free online survey or reading the full DSM-IV-TR diagnostic criteria. If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with separation anxiety disorder, get free information and advice from the Mindsite community by reading original articles or asking a question.