Separation anxiety disorder

A disorder characterized by intense, disproportionate anxiety occurring in connection with separation or the prospect of separation from a close person or home. Worries about the safety of loved ones may arise, along with nightmares about separation and somatic symptoms – most frequently in children but also occurring in adults.

Symptoms

• Separation anxiety (also: Intense, disproportionate fear of separation from a close person, intense fear of separation, separation anxiety, fear of parting, intense separation anxiety)
• Excessive worries about the safety or life of a loved one (also: Excessive worries about safety or life of a close person, worries about safety of close person, anxiety about loved ones, worry about safety of loved ones, excessive concern about close person)
• Reluctance or refusal to leave home without a loved one (also: Reluctance or refusal to leave home without a close person, reluctance to leave home, avoidance of leaving home, fear of going out, resistance to leaving home)
• Nightmares or dreams about separation from a loved one (also: Nightmares or dreams about separation from a close person, separation-related nightmares, nightmares about parting, dreams about losing loved ones, anxiety dreams about separation)
• Intense emotional distress during separation (also: Intense emotional distress during separation, intense distress during separation, intense stress during separation, intense discomfort during separation, emotional pain during parting)
• Avoidance of situations requiring separation from a loved one (also: Avoidance of situations requiring separation from a close person, avoidance of situations requiring separation, avoidance of separation, avoidance of separation from loved ones, avoidance of being alone)
• Somatic symptoms triggered by separation (also: Somatic symptoms at the thought of separation (headaches, stomach aches, nausea), stomach aches in the morning before school, vomiting before trips, headaches during separation, nausea on Sunday evenings)
• School refusal due to separation anxiety (also: school refusal, school refusal, crying before leaving for school, clinging to parent, school absence due to anxiety)
• Duration >=4 weeks in children, >=6 months in adults (also: symptoms >=4 weeks in children, symptoms >=6 months in adults, duration of symptoms, time criterion, not a transient reaction)

ICD-11 diagnostic criteria

• nadmierny lęk przed separacją
• silne przywiązanie do określonej osoby
• cierpienie podczas rozdzielenia
• objawy utrzymują się przez kilka miesięcy

How to recognise

In the ICD-11 framework, the core symptoms taken into account when recognising Separation anxiety disorder are:

• silny lęk przed rozłąką

Differential diagnosis

When diagnosing Separation anxiety disorder, the following ICD-11 disorders should be considered in the differential diagnosis:

• Zaburzenie związane z lękiem społecznym (6B04)
• Mutyzm wybiórczy (6B06)

Synonyms and related terms

Intense, disproportionate fear of separation from a close person, intense fear of separation, fear of parting, intense separation anxiety, apprehension of being separated, panicky fear of separation, anxiety during parting, afraid of parting, panics when someone leaves, does not want to be separated, enormous stress during parting, afraid of being separated, separation triggers anxiety, Excessive worries about safety or life of a close person, worries about safety of close person, anxiety about loved ones, worry about safety of loved ones, excessive concern about close person, apprehension about health of loved ones, constant anxiety about loved ones, anxiety about family, constantly worried about loved ones, afraid something will happen to them, checks if they are OK, obsessed with their safety, worried about family, constantly afraid for them, Reluctance or refusal to leave home without a close person, reluctance to leave home, avoidance of leaving home

Frequently asked questions

What are the symptoms of Separation anxiety disorder?

Symptoms associated with Separation anxiety disorder (ICD-11 6B05) include: Separation anxiety, Excessive worries about the safety or life of a loved one, Reluctance or refusal to leave home without a loved one, Nightmares or dreams about separation from a loved one, Intense emotional distress during separation, Avoidance of situations requiring separation from a loved one, Somatic symptoms triggered by separation, School refusal due to separation anxiety, Duration >=4 weeks in children, >=6 months in adults.

How is Separation anxiety disorder diagnosed according to ICD-11?

According to ICD-11, the diagnostic criteria for Separation anxiety disorder (6B05) include: nadmierny lęk przed separacją; silne przywiązanie do określonej osoby; cierpienie podczas rozdzielenia; objawy utrzymują się przez kilka miesięcy.

What disorders are in the differential diagnosis of Separation anxiety disorder?

The differential diagnosis of Separation anxiety disorder (6B05) includes: Zaburzenie związane z lękiem społecznym (6B04), Mutyzm wybiórczy (6B06).

WHO ICD-11 source

View this entry in the official WHO ICD-11 browser: 6B05 – WHO ICD-11