Separation Anxiety
By: Alaina Boone
Informational Facts
- An unrealistic and lasting worry that something bad will happen to the other person if the affected person leaves
- Refusal to go to school or work in order to stay with that other person or persons
- Refusal to go to sleep without that person nearby or refusal to sleep away from home
- Generalized fear of being alone
- Nightmares about being separated from that other person
2. Separation anxiety often develops after a significant stressful event (hospital visit, death, divorce, moving...)
3. Separation anxiety affects approximately 4%-5% of children in The United States ages 7-11 years old. This is less common in teenagers, affecting only about 1.3%
4. This certain form of anxiety is diagnosed on signs and symptoms, beginning with an evaluation by a physician including medical history reports and physical exams
5. Treatment through psychotherapy and medication such as anti-depressants and other anti-anxiety disorders
6. Future outlook on children with anxiety disorders, specifically separation anxiety get better over time although certain symptoms may occur for many years after
7. There is no possible way to prevent separation anxiety
8. The fear, anxiety, or avoidance is persistent, lasting at least 4 weeks in children and 6 months or more in adults
9. Many children with one anxiety disorder also have another disorder as well, therefore they are at risk for depression, panic disorders, and social anxiety disorders
10. Most individuals respond rapidly to treatment, sometimes even within a matter of days