Separation Anxiety

Separation anxiety is excessive fear or distress about being apart from home or attachment figures. It is normal in early childhood but can become a disorder at any age when excessive.

Definition

Separation anxiety involves developmentally excessive worry about separation from those a person is attached to. It is common and expected in young children but can persist or appear later and interfere with life. Child anxiety screens like SCARED and the Preschool Anxiety Scale assess related symptoms.

What it can feel like

  • Intense distress when apart from a parent or partner.
  • Excessive worry about harm befalling loved ones.
  • Reluctance to go to school or be alone.
  • Physical complaints when separation is anticipated.

Related screening tests on LuriaLab

Related glossary terms

Sıkça sorulan sorular

Is separation anxiety only in children?

No. While common in childhood, separation anxiety disorder can occur in adolescents and adults when fear of separation is excessive and impairing.

When should I seek help?

Consider support if separation fears are intense, persistent, and interfere with school, work, or daily life. Screening can help describe symptoms.

Sources

  • Birmaher B, et al. SCARED
  • Spence SH. Preschool Anxiety Scale

Last reviewed: 2026-07-02. Screening tools on LuriaLab are for education only and do not provide a diagnosis.