Separation anxiety disorder is a psychological condition in which an individual experiences excessive anxiety regarding separation from home or from people to whom the individual has a strong emotional attachment (like a father or mother). It becomes a disorder when the separation reaction becomes strong enough to impair people’s ability to conduct their day to day lives and relationships.
Separation anxiety disorder exists for both children and adults. However, the symptoms of the disorder are largely the same for both groups including distress when separated from subject of attachment, excessive worry of losing subject, and fear of being alone.
For more information, please click on the following links:
- http://helpguide.org/mental/separation_anxiety_causes_prevention_treatment.htm
- http://www.medicinenet.com/separation_anxiety/article.htm
Source: http://www.aacap.org