Separation anxiety

Separation anxiety is excessive fear related to separation from attachment figures — parents, spouse, children. It is normal and adaptive in infants and young children — it's a natural part of development. It becomes a disorder when it persists beyond the expected developmental period, or when the level of anxiety is disproportionate and causes functional impairment.

In the DSM-5, separation anxiety disorder can be diagnosed in adults too — where it can show up as excessive worry about a spouse or children, difficulty sleeping without the attachment figure nearby, or difficulty leaving home.

It is more common in children who haven't developed sufficient attachment security, following significant losses or separations, or in family environments with high parental anxiety.