Usually begins as an infant or during childhood causing excessive worry and fear when a child or adolescent is separated from home or from an attachment figure. For separation anxiety to be considered symptoms must be present for four weeks in children and adolescents and 6 or more months in adults.
Example of separation anxiety include:
- Excessive distress when separated
- Refusal to leave home, school, work
- Reluctance to sleep
- Nightmares involving themes related to separation
- Physical complaints