Separation anxiety is significant distress or fear related to being apart from a primary attachment figure. While separation anxiety is a normal part of child development, it can become a problem when it is very upsetting to the individual and/or interferes in the individual’s daily life such as refusal to sleep independently, be in a different room as a parent, or play at a friend’s house. Age-appropriate separation anxiety occurs around 6-9 months, peaks around 18 months, and usually decreases by 3-4 years old. Separation anxiety is typical in children during times of transition or starting something new (e.g., a new school) in which they may be cry or become more clingy. However, if separation anxiety is more persistent, impairs an individuals functioning (e.g., causes school avoidance) or is developmentally inappropriate (e.g., an adult that fears separation from a parent), it may suggest a separation anxiety disorder.
