| Separation Anxiety Disorder
Developmentally inappropriate and excessive
anxiety concerning separation from home or from those to whom the
individual is attached, as evidenced by three (or more) of the following:
- recurrent excessive distress when
separation from home or major attachment figures occurs or is
anticipated
- persistent and excessive worry about
losing, or about possible harm befalling, major attachment figures
- persistent and excessive worry that an
untoward event will lead to separation from a major attachment figure
(e.g., getting lost or being kidnapped)
- persistent reluctance or refusal to go
to school or elsewhere because of fear of separation
- persistently and excessively fearful or
reluctant to be alone or without major attachment figures at home or
without significant adults in other settings
- persistent reluctance or refusal to go
to sleep without being near a major attachment figure or to sleep away
from home
- repeated nightmares involving the theme
of separation
- repeated complaints of physical symptoms
(such as headaches, stomachaches, nausea, or vomiting) when separation
from major attachment figures occurs or is anticipated
The duration of the disturbance is at least 4
weeks.
The onset is before age 18 years.
The disturbance causes clinically
significant distress or impairment in social, academic (occupational), or
other important areas of functioning. |
