| To have separation anxiety is normal to be | | | | and bipolar disorder. |
| experienced by anyone; may it be an adult, a | | | | As for the cases of children, the parents are |
| teenager, or a child. This feeling is basically a fear | | | | generally the first ones to notice if their children |
| or worry of being separated from a certain | | | | are suffering from SAD. A parent can easily |
| person, thing, or place. For instance, a child may | | | | determine if a child is suffering from separation |
| show unwillingness to let his parents leave him | | | | anxiety disorder through the following signs: |
| alone at school or a parent may feel doubtful to | | | | 1. Excessive closeness or attachment at home. |
| send his daughter or son away to boarding school. | | | | 2. Zero desire to socialize or play with other kids |
| Most of the time, this type of social anxiety | | | | at school or at the neighborhood. |
| disorder is only temporary or short lived. | | | | 3. Noticeable change in appetite. |
| However, when fear or anxiety becomes | | | | 4. Noticeable change in sleep. |
| extreme, the condition is then categorized as | | | | Recent studies on SAD explain that there are a |
| Separation Anxiety Disorder or SAD. A person | | | | number of factors that trigger extreme anxiety |
| who has this type of anxiety disorder becomes | | | | on being separated from a particular object or |
| extremely scared of being separated from the | | | | person. These factors include genetics, |
| things or individuals that matter most to them. | | | | environmental, family life, and biological. Genetics |
| The fear is continuous and the feeling of social | | | | has a lot to do with SAD cases on children, for a |
| anxiety is intense. | | | | child may inherit his or her parents' extreme fear |
| A person is diagnosed to have separation anxiety | | | | and anxiety of separation. It is possible for |
| disorder when the symptoms for the said | | | | members of the family to pass on their condition |
| condition lasted for four continuous weeks. The | | | | to their children. In addition, a child may also |
| following are the symptoms for SAD: | | | | develop SAD due to traumatic experiences, |
| 1. Excessive and persistent worrying about losing | | | | events, and affairs within the family. |
| the person or object of attachment. | | | | Once a child is believed to have separation anxiety |
| 2. Repetitive nightmares on separation. | | | | disorder, it is highly advisable for parents to have |
| 3. Recurring worries about being separated from | | | | their children be seen and properly diagnosed by a |
| the person or object of attachment. | | | | doctor or a medical expert. As stated earlier, |
| 4. Refusal to sleep without being near the object | | | | SAD may be a sign or symptom of other |
| of attachment. | | | | disorders, that is why having a correct diagnosis |
| 5. Excessive and persistent fear that a certain | | | | and immediate treatments are a must. Doctors |
| event will result to separation from the person or | | | | generally recommend the young patients to |
| object of attachment. | | | | undergo a series of psychiatric evaluations and |
| In some cases, individuals who suffer from SAD | | | | tests to ensure a better future and health on the |
| are diagnosed to have other types of | | | | part of the children. |
| psychological disorders like panic disorder, ADHD, | | | | |