Separation Anxiety Disorder Assessment

Do you feel like your child never wants to be away from you and seems stressed when you are separated? Maybe your child suffers from Separation Anxiety Disorder. Separation anxiety disorder (SAD) is when someone feels very scared and worried about being away from their family or loved ones. It’s more intense than regular separation anxiety and can last a long time, even when the person grows up.

Separation anxieties are normal for infants or toddlers. It generally occurs in older children, still younger than 18. Studies show that Separation Anxiety Disorder is more common in girls and about 4% of children have it. Adults with unresolved Separation Anxiety Disorder tend to have difficulty moving for college or a job, getting married, or being separated from their spouse or children.

Take this quick assessment to learn the symptoms of Separation Anxiety Disorder and help you determine if your child may suffer from it. These questions are adapted from the DSM-IV (the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition) diagnostic criteria for Separation Anxiety Disorder.

What Causes SAD?

• Sometimes, it’s because of genes, which are like instructions that we inherit from our parents.
• Certain personality traits, like being shy or sensitive, might also make someone more likely to have SAD.
• Big changes or scary events in life, such as moving to a new place or losing someone close, can also trigger SAD.

How Can SAD Be Treated?

• Therapy, like talking to someone who helps you understand and cope with your feelings, can really help. It’s called cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT).
• Sometimes, doctors might prescribe medicine to help ease the anxiety.
• Involving family members in therapy sessions can make a big difference too.

Tips for Coping with SAD

• Take things slowly. Practice being away from loved ones for short periods, then gradually increase the time.
• Try relaxation techniques, like taking deep breaths or tensing and relaxing your muscles, to calm your mind.
• Remember to reward yourself for facing your fears and doing things that make you anxious.

Additional Support and Resources for Separation Anxiety Disorder

• National Council for Mental Wellbeing
• National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
• National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
• American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP)
• American Psychiatric Association
• Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA)
  

Related Assessments 

• Neglected Child Assessment
• Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) Assessment
• Learning Disabilities Assessment