Many pet owners have seen how excited their pets become when they return home, especially dogs. In some cases, this reaction can become extreme: a pet may spend the entire time alone crying, pacing, or destroying things in the house. Being separated from their owner can cause such strong discomfort and anxiety that the pet begins to act out. However, separation anxiety is not limited to animals. Children can experience it as well.
What is Separation Anxiety Disorder?
Separation anxiety is a common phase for infants and toddlers. During this stage, children may become anxious or distressed when they are separated from their parents or primary caregivers, such as when they are dropped off at daycare for the first time. Typically, this improves by the age of two or three. In some cases, however, the anxiety continues and develops into separation anxiety disorder, which can often be identified around preschool age. When a child’s anxiety seems more intense than that of other children the same age or lasts for an unusually long time, the child may be experiencing separation anxiety disorder.
How is this diagnosed?
To be diagnosed with separation anxiety disorder, a person’s symptoms must be more severe than what is expected for their developmental age and must cause significant distress or interfere with daily activities. Common signs include clinginess or tantrums related to separation that last longer than expected for children of the same age. Another symptom is constant and intense worry about losing a parent or caregiver because of illness, death, or disaster. A child may also refuse to leave home or may avoid being alone or being somewhere without a parent. Although many symptoms are emotional or behavioral, physical symptoms such as headaches and stomachaches may also occur.
Where does Separation Anxiety come from?
Separation anxiety disorder can be triggered by life stress that leads to separation from a loved one, such as parental divorce, changing schools, moving to a new location, or the death of someone close. The disorder often begins in childhood, but it may continue through the teenage years and sometimes into adulthood. The risk of developing separation anxiety disorder increases when there is a family history of anxiety disorders. Experiencing a disaster or another traumatic life event may also increase the risk. Separation anxiety disorder can cause major distress and create problems with functioning at home, in social situations, at school, or at work.
Can anxiety attacks be prevented?
There is no perfect prevention plan for separation anxiety disorder, but certain steps may help. Seeking professional advice as early as possible can lead to an earlier diagnosis, which may lessen symptoms and help prevent the condition from becoming worse. Finding evidence-based treatment and support is also important because it can help children develop healthy coping skills.
What is the treatment?
Treatment for separation anxiety disorder often begins with psychotherapy, most commonly cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). One part of treatment may include exposure therapy, which helps a person learn how to face and manage fears related to separation and uncertainty. Medication may sometimes be combined with CBT if anxiety symptoms are severe or if therapy alone is not showing enough progress. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are often used in these cases.
Why Recognition Matters
Sometimes being alone can be enjoyable, but humans are social beings who need connection with others, especially with the people who make them feel safe and comfortable. Missing someone and wanting to be near them is normal. However, it becomes more serious when separation from an important person causes intense anxiety and distress. Separation anxiety disorder is important to recognize and should be taken as seriously as other mental health conditions.
