Seperation Anxiety
It is a universal human development phenomenon and begins in infants younger than 1 year of age, when the child becomes aware about being separated from their mothers or primary care givers which is beyond developmental expectations. It usually lasts for abut the age of 2.5 years.
DSM-5 Criteria for Diagnosis of Separation Anxiety:
1. The symptoms in child should last for more than or equal to 4 weeks and for more than or equal to 6 months in adults.
2. There is an inappropriate fear of separation from a loved one or attachment figure (anticipation, worry, Fear, Nightmare, Palpitations, sweating or distress of separating from loved one).
3. There is marked distress and impaired psychosocial interactions
4. We should first rule out that the symptoms are not due to other mental disorders.