Signs of Separation Anxiety Disorder

Separation Anxiety Disorder Treatment and Therapy in Toronto

What is Separation Anxiety Disorder?

Separation anxiety disorder is when an individual experiences excessive fear/anxiety when separated from people to whom they have a major attachment. While separation anxiety is normal, it becomes problematic if it persists past the normal stage of development and interferes with daily functioning. Fortunately, there are many effective virtual and in-person treatments and therapies in Toronto that can help children reduce their anxiety symptoms.

What are Common Symptoms of Separation Anxiety Disorder?

Children with separation anxiety disorder may show the following symptoms:

• Physical symptoms:

  • Headaches

  • Nausea, stomach aches

  • Overheating

• Can only be comforted when in the presence of attachment figure(s)

• Persistent social withdrawal and few friends

• Fear of something bad happening to their attachment figure(s) while they are separated

• Reluctance to do things that require separation

• Use an excuse such as being sick, or avoid playing with friends or going to school in order to not be separated

• Need frequent reassurance when separated

• Reluctance to sleep or to sleep alone

• At home they are often shy and compliant

How does Separation Anxiety Disorder Present in Children and Youth?

• Preschool-Aged Children:

  • Excessive crying, severe tantrums

  • Persistent social withdrawal

  • Stand motionless in fear, hyperventilation, nausea

  • Cannot be comforted or distracted

  • Stomach complaints

  • Refusal to sleep alone

• School-Aged Children:

  • Fear of being lost, hurt, kidnapped

  • Social withdrawal

  • Crying in class

  • Fear of something bad happening to their attachment figures

  • Somatic complaints, pretending illness in order to skip school

  • Need to call home often

• Adolescents:

  • Avoid going to school

  • Somatic complaints

  • Need to be near attachment figure(s)

  • Believes that their attachment figure(s) need them for support and protection

  • Social withdrawal and few friends

  • Good interpersonal skills with adults – may prefer to spend time with adults

How to Support Children with Separation Anxiety Disorder?

• For schedule:

  • Provide a schedule beforehand to the attachment figure(s) so that the child has time to prepare

    • Have a schedule for the child as well so they know the routine and when they will be picked up

  • Include “calls home” in their schedule

• For distraction:

  • Engage the child in an art activity (i.e. drawing) that they can make for their attachment figure(s) to help distract them  

  • Ask their attachment figure(s) for a comfort item that the child can have with them

• For emotional regulation:

  • Teach the child self-regulation strategies to help calm them (i.e. take 10 deep breaths, squeeze a stress ball)

Separation Anxiety Disorder Support for Families

For individuals and families in Toronto struggling with separation anxiety disorder, there are a variety of in-person and virtual treatments that may be beneficial, including:

• Child anxiety programs and groups

• Cognitive behavioural therapy

• Exposure therapy

• Family therapy

• Play therapy

• Parent anxiety programs and groups

• Online anxiety programs