Symptoms

Separation anxiety disorder is diagnosed when symptoms are excessive for the developmental age and cause significant distress in daily functioning. Symptoms may include:

• Recurrent and excessive distress about anticipating or being away from home or loved ones
• Constant, excessive worry about losing a parent or other loved one to an illness or a disaster
• Constant worry that something bad will happen, such as being lost or kidnapped, causing separation from parents or other loved ones
• Refusing to be away from home because of fear of separation
• Not wanting to be home alone and without a parent or other loved one in the house
• Reluctance or refusing to sleep away from home without a parent or other loved one nearby
• Repeated nightmares about separation
• Frequent complaints of headaches, stomachaches or other symptoms when separation from a parent or other loved one is anticipated

Separation anxiety disorder may be associated with panic disorder and panic attacks ? repeated episodes of sudden feelings of intense anxiety and fear or terror that reach a peak within minutes.

When to see a doctor

Separation anxiety disorder usually won't go away without treatment and can lead to panic disorder and other anxiety disorders into adulthood.

If you have concerns about your child's separation anxiety, talk to your child's pediatrician or other health care provider.