Condition

Pediatric Separation Anxiety Disorder

What You Need to Know

Separation anxiety disorder (SAD) includes extreme anxiety (fear and nervousness) concerning separation from parents or loved ones.

Key Symptoms

Symptoms of separation anxiety disorder in children or teens may include:

Refusing to go to school by themselves
Refusing to sleep alone
Needing a great deal of attention from parents and hanging onto their parent, in and out of the home

Diagnosis

Child psychologists, psychiatrists and other mental health professionals may interview the child or teen and his or her parents
Families will fill out questionnaires about different aspects of the child or teen’s life

Treatment

Cognitive behavioral therapy to help children (and families) learn how to cope with feelings of anxiety
Children may learn good sleep habits
Medicines used most often to treat SAD are called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is separation anxiety disorder?

Separation anxiety disorder (SAD) includes extreme anxiety (fear and nervousness) concerning separation from parents or loved ones. Although some amount of anxiety related to separating from parents is normal, children and teens with SAD react to separation with feelings and behaviors that are not considered normal for their age. Their sense of safety is highly dependent upon their parent being present. Children with SAD often have other fears as well, including fear of thieves and robbers, car accidents, the dark or going places where they will be separated from their parents. Children and teens with SAD sometimes refuse to go to school. Symptoms must be present for at least one month for a child or teen to be diagnosed with SAD.

What are the primary symptoms of separation anxiety disorder in children?

These are some of the most common symptoms of SAD in children:

Refusing to go to school by themselves
Refusing to sleep alone
Needing a great deal of attention from parents and hanging onto their parent, in and out of the home
Feeling extremely afraid of being left alone
Feeling obsessively afraid of dying or death
Having extreme concern for parents’ health and well-being
Having nightmares or night awakenings
Crying, screaming or having tantrums (emotional outbursts) when left alone
Expressing sudden physical complaints (for example, stomachaches or headaches) when they fear a parent is leaving
Expressing anger or violent behavior if they cannot be with their parent

How is separation anxiety disorder diagnosed in children?

What is the treatment for separation anxiety disorder in children?

Following a full assessment, a member of the Children’s National care team will discuss treatment options with the child or teen and his or her family. Both cognitive behavioral treatment (CBT) and certain types of medicines are helpful in treating SAD in children and teens.

CBT includes working with a therapist to help children (and families) learn how to cope with feelings of anxiety. During treatment, children learn by gradually facing their fear of separation and learn that anxiety can be managed.
Parents are also taught skills for managing children’s anxiety.
Children also may learn good sleep habits.
Medicines used most often to treat SAD are called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). These medicines affect neurotransmitters (nerve cells in the brain that carry signals) linked to anxiety.

Dealing With Pandemic-induced Separation Anxiety in Kids

Children and families are finally resuming some of their pre-pandemic activities, such as summer camp, vacations and in-person school. For some kids, this return will also trigger separation anxiety.

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Meet the Providers Who Treat Separation Anxiety Disorder

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Departments that Treat Separation Anxiety Disorder

Anxiety Disorders Program

The Anxiety Disorders Program at Children's National Hospital is a specialized treatment program devoted to carefully assessing and effectively treating a wide range of anxiety disorders common among children and adolescents. Learn more about our program.

Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences

Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Children's National offers assessment, diagnosis and care for children and teens with behavioral, emotional and developmental disorders. From a variety of therapy options to medication management and support for the whole family, our healthcare providers offer solutions to children’s mental health issues in inpatient and outpatient settings.

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