Separation Anxiety Disorder - Frequently Asked Questions

What are the symptoms of Separation Anxiety Disorder?

Symptoms can include any of the following:

• Recurrent, constant distress when separation from home or primary caregiver is anticipated
• Persistent refusal to sleep without being near a primary caregiver
• Nightmares involving the theme of separation
• Constant worry about possible harm coming to primary caregivers
• Excessive worry about being lost or being kidnapped
• Repeated physical complaints when anticipating separation from primary caregivers
• Constant refusal to go to school or participate in any social situation that involves being away from the primary caregiver

How can Separation Anxiety Disorder affect my child’s life?

Separation Anxiety Disorder can affect your child’s ability to develop appropriate social skills and participate in activities that are good for individual development. Separation Anxiety Disorders can also affect all members of the child’s family. Often, children with separation anxiety will refuse to let his/her caregiver out of sight, and this can be stressful for the caregiver. Parents often report high levels of stress when dealing with children with separation anxiety. Other siblings may feel jealousy or resentment because of the amount of attention a child with separation anxiety requires. If left untreated, Separation Anxiety Disorder can manifest into other anxiety disorders later in life.

How do I know if my child has Separation Anxiety Disorder?

If your child exhibits any of the above symptoms for a period of six weeks or longer, you should speak with your child’s primary care physician to determine if Separation Anxiety Disorder is a possibility.

What are the possible treatment plans for Separation Anxiety Disorder?

The most common treatments for Separation Anxiety Disorder are often used in combination with each other and include:

• Play therapy: Often used for younger children, play therapy incorporates toys as a means of treatment
• Cognitive and Behavioral Therapy: Helpful for adolescents, CBT focuses on the thought processes that determine our behavioral responses
• Systematic Desensitization: Used for all ages, desensitization gradually introduces separation and maintains a regimen of time and distance to “practice” separation.
• Literary Therapy: Used for younger children, literary therapy models positive behavior through stories and picture books.
• Family therapy: This type of therapy incorporates the entire family to examine the ways that a child with anxiety disorder can affect everyone. It may also bring behavioral patterns of the family that reinforce the anxiety to light.
• Anti-anxiety medication: As a last resort, medications may be helpful when prescribed by a doctor under special circumstances.