Separation Anxiety Disorder (SAD)

According to the DSM-/V, the essential feature of separation anxiety disorder, also known as SAD, is “developmentally inappropriate and excessive anxiety concerning separation from the home or from those to whom the individual is attached”. The DSM code for separation anxiety is 309.21/F93.0. Most children occasionally have mild worries about separating from a parent, but with separation anxiety there can be a dramatic affect in a person’s ability to engage in everyday activities. Children with this disorder become extremely upset at just the thought of being away from their primary caregiver. That person can be a parent, close relative, nanny, or any other caregiver that they are close with. Separation anxiety affects two to five percent of

Other causes of separation anxiety are things like environmental changes, genetic influence, parent/child attachment, developmental considerations, cognitive factors, and behavioral factors. With environmental changes there is a big change in a child’s life that could cause a lot of stress such as a big move, death or illness of a close relative or pet, or even starting a new school. In genetic influence, evidence suggest a genetic link between separation anxiety in children and a history of panic disorder, anxiety, or depression in their parents. The quality of attachment between a child and parent has also been identified as a factor in separation anxiety. If the child senses emotional distance, the behaviors may be ab attempt to draw the parent in more closely. A slower rate of development in the intellectual, social, emotional, or physical arena can foster anxiety within the child, making separation more difficult. Cognitive factors could be when a child repeatedly worry about what they are afraid of. The thought patterns are repeated within

The child needs to be able to tolerate normal separation from caregivers without distress or impairment of functioning. Children who are refusing school, should return to as quickly as medically and socially possible and also attend school without any distress. Home schooling is not recommended because it may prolong their symptoms and increase the severity of symptoms because of secondary gain increase. The most effective treatments of separation anxiety involves the parents and school personnel when appropriate. The therapy should give the child a sense of safety and security. There are different forms