Separation Anxiety Disorder
Many children experience separation anxiety between the ages of 18 months and three years old. It is normal for children to feel somewhat anxious when a parent leaves the room or goes out of sight, and they can usually be distracted. Crying at being left at daycare or preschool is also common, and it usually subsides when children become engaged in their surroundings.
Most four-year-olds are able to leave their parents. If not, they may have separation anxiety disorder, which affects approximately 4% of children. Onset can occur any time before age 18, but it is quite common in children between seven and nine.
Children who have this disorder experience extreme anxiety away from home or when separated from parents or other caregivers. Their desire to be in contact with missed persons is excessive, and they often have extreme homesickness and feelings of misery. It is also common for these children to have fears regarding the health and safety of their parents.
Children suffering from separation anxiety disorder may exhibit the following behavior:
- Try to avoid going places by themselves.
- Refuse to go to school or camp.
- Be reluctant or refuse to participate in sleepovers.
- Follow a parent around.
- Demand that someone stay with them at bedtime.
- Come to their parents' bedroom during the night.
- Awake from nightmares about being separated from loved ones.
Reprinted with the permission of the Anxiety Disorders Association of America.
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