Separation Anxiety In Children (don't want to leave caregiver/parent)

This is normal in infants and children up to 4 years old. They experience slight anguish and will cling to their main caregiver or persons they are attached to when they are being left in a daycare, school setting, and with individuals who generally do not care for them. Be patient with the child and provide comfort during this transition process.

Separation anxiety can become a disorder when there is insistent and extreme anxiety related to separation or awaiting separation from the main caregiver, close family member, or the person attached to. This also happens to adolescent younger than 18 years and last for at least 4 weeks.

Emotional/Behavioural Symptoms

• Fear that something bad is going to happen to the person attached to if separated

• Refuse to go to school

• Do not want to sleep without caregiver

• Fear of being alone

• Experience nightmares about being separated

• Temper tantrums

• Panic attacks

Physical Symptoms

• Bed wetting

• Complaining of feeling sick on school days

• Stomach ache

• Faint

• Dizzy

Preventing Separation Anxiety

Before the child start going to school parents should engage in:

• Talking with the child about the impending separation

• Teaching them that anxiety is normal

• Role playing scenarios with the child

• Practicing relaxation techniques (deep breathing)

• Positive reinforcement for independent functioning

Pre-school should:

• Request comfort item from parents

• Engage the child in numerous activities that will distract them