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Separation anxiety - Symptom

Symptoms:

  • Excessive distress when separated from the primary caregiver
  • Nightmares
  • Reluctance to go to school or other places because of fear of separation
  • Reluctance to go to sleep without the primary caregiver nearby
  • Repeated physical complaints
  • Worry about losing or harm coming to the primary caregiver

Signs and tests:

There are no tests for this condition, because it is normal.

If severe separation anxiety persists past age 2, an evaluation with a psychiatrist may be needed to determine if the child has an anxiety disorder or other condition.

  • Reviewed last on: 4/26/2010
  • Neil K. Kaneshiro, MD, MHA, Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Stafford B, Boris NW, Dalton R. Anxiety disorders. In: Kliegman RM, Behrman RE, Jenson HB, Stanton BF, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 18th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 24.

Feigelman S. The first year. In: Kliegman RM, Behrman RE, Jenson HB, Stanton BF, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 18th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 8.

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