Separation Anxiety Disorder (SAD) is characterized by excessive fear concerning separation from parents or other attachment figures accompanied by a developmentally inappropriate unwillingness to separate. Kids with SAD may worry that harm may befall themselves or their parent upon separation (e.g., getting lost or taken, parent getting sick, injured, or dying), and may refuse to go out, away from home, or to school because of a fear of separation. Children with SAD may refuse to sleep away from their home because of fears of separating from their parents, or may even require parents to sleep next to them in bed, and will sometimes have nightmares involving themes of separation. These separation anxiety symptoms can also be accompanied by unpleasant physical sensations when separating, such as headaches, stomachaches, or nausea.
Separation anxiety disorder can be associated with considerable life impairment, reduced quality of life, and interference with family, school, and peer functioning. If you think your child may suffer from separation anxiety disorder, please call us at 305-348-7836, or email us at mint@fiu.edu. We can help!