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Separation anxiety disorder (or simply separation anxiety) is a psychological condition in which an individual has excessive anxiety regarding separation from home or from people to whom the individual has a strong emotional attachment. It is often seen in children when they first begin attending school, but can occur at all ages and in many situations. Separation anxiety is often characterized by some of the following symptoms:
- Recurring distress when separation from home or subject of attachment occurs or is anticipated
- Persistent, excessive worry about losing subject of attachment
- Persistent, excessive worry that some event will lead to separation from a major attachment figure
- Continuing reluctance or refusal to go to school (known as school refusal) or elsewhere because of fear of separation
- Excessive fear about being alone without subject of attachment
- Persistent reluctance or refusal to go to sleep without being near a major attachment figure or to sleep away from home
- Recurrent nightmares about separation
- Repeated complaints of physical symptoms when separation is imminent.
Other animals
Separation anxiety is not limited to humans: other animals may exhibit symptoms of anxiety as well when separated from a companion, either a human or another animal, or when removed from their familiar environment. Pets in particular may experience this disorder, as do animals which are socialised in packs, or any animal which has a close attachment to another. Animals have exhibited separation anxiety even when separated from an animal of a radically dissimilar species.
References
"Separation anxiety disorder"