Separation Anxiety in Children

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsDiagnosisCausesTreatmentCoping

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Symptoms

Diagnosis

Causes

Treatment

Coping

Separation anxiety is loosely defined as the fear of being away from the primary caregiver. The most common way for children to act out their fears of separation is through tantrums and clinging.

Separation anxiety is a healthy and normal part of your child’s development between the ages of 8 and 14 months. Separation anxiety disorder, on the other hand, is a diagnosis for children who fall outside the boundaries of this otherwise normal developmental stage.

While separation anxiety has historically been thought of as an issue in childhood only, the DSM-V updated the diagnosis to be inclusive of adults as well.

The symptoms of separation anxiety as adevelopmental stageare considered normal until the age of 2 and always include elements that cause the parent to question leaving, including:

Separation Anxiety vs. Separation Anxiety Disorder

It is normal for some older children, particularly those who are shy, to go through a phase of not wanting their parents to leave. However, a caregiver can typically redirect the child to engage in group activities. Children over the age of 2 who don’t respond to redirection or demonstrate severe symptoms may be struggling with separation anxiety disorder, ananxiety disorderthat includes the following symptoms:

A Closer Look at Separation Anxiety Disorder in Children

Separation anxiety disorder is a specificpsychological disorderthat is different from normal separation anxiety, although it can be difficult to tell the difference because symptoms can overlap. While separation anxiety was once considered a condition diagnosed only until age 18, the DSM-5 has expanded the definition to also include adults.

To be diagnosed with separation anxiety disorder, your child must exhibit symptoms for at least six months and they must cause significant stress and impair functioning at home, at school, at work, or with peers.

While experts have not identified the underlying causes of separation anxiety, there are several external triggers that are known to worsen the anxiety, including:

While developmentally-appropriate separation anxiety in children doesn’t require treatment, separation anxiety disorder may require professional intervention with a trained mental health professional.

Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy or “talk therapy” can help treat your older child with separation anxiety or separation anxiety disorder.

Be sure to gather as much information as possible before your first therapy visit, including details about your child’s behavior both when you leave and while you are away. A good therapist will become part of the team that includes you, your child, and the caregiver.

How to Find a Therapist for Your Child

Medication

If psychotherapy is not enough, or if your child is suffering from a co-occurring disorder likedepression, an antidepressant medication like aselective serotonin reuptake inhibitor(SSRI) or anti-anxiety medication may be prescribed to help manage severe symptoms.

Coping With Separation Anxiety in Relationships

2 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. DSM-5 Changes: Implications for Child Serious Emotional Disturbance [Internet]. Rockville (MD): Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (US); 2016 Jun.Table 15, DSM-IV to DSM-5 Separation Anxiety Disorder Comparison.Silove D, Alonso J, Bromet E, et al.Pediatric-onset and adult-onset separation anxiety disorder across countries in the world mental health survey.Am J Psychiatry. 2015;172(7):647-56. doi:10.1176/appi.ajp.2015.14091185

2 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. DSM-5 Changes: Implications for Child Serious Emotional Disturbance [Internet]. Rockville (MD): Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (US); 2016 Jun.Table 15, DSM-IV to DSM-5 Separation Anxiety Disorder Comparison.Silove D, Alonso J, Bromet E, et al.Pediatric-onset and adult-onset separation anxiety disorder across countries in the world mental health survey.Am J Psychiatry. 2015;172(7):647-56. doi:10.1176/appi.ajp.2015.14091185

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. DSM-5 Changes: Implications for Child Serious Emotional Disturbance [Internet]. Rockville (MD): Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (US); 2016 Jun.Table 15, DSM-IV to DSM-5 Separation Anxiety Disorder Comparison.Silove D, Alonso J, Bromet E, et al.Pediatric-onset and adult-onset separation anxiety disorder across countries in the world mental health survey.Am J Psychiatry. 2015;172(7):647-56. doi:10.1176/appi.ajp.2015.14091185

Silove D, Alonso J, Bromet E, et al.Pediatric-onset and adult-onset separation anxiety disorder across countries in the world mental health survey.Am J Psychiatry. 2015;172(7):647-56. doi:10.1176/appi.ajp.2015.14091185

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Separation Anxiety vs. Separation Anxiety Disorder#

Psychotherapy#

Medication#

Separation Anxiety vs. Separation Anxiety Disorder

Psychotherapy

Medication