Separation anxiety disorder is diagnosed when symptoms are excessive for the developmental age and cause significant distress in daily functioning.

• Recurrent and excessive distress about being away from home or loved ones
• Constant, excessive worry about losing a parent/ loved one to an illness or disaster
• The constant worry that something bad will happen, for example, being lost or kidnapped, causing a separation from loved ones
• Refusing to be away from home due to fear of separation
• Not wanting to be home alone without a parent or other loved one in the house
• Reluctance or unable to sleep away from home without a parent/loved one nearby
• Repeated nightmares about separation
• Frequent complaints of headaches, stomachaches, etc. when separation from a parent/other loved one is anticipated
• Sudden feelings of intense anxiety and fear/ terror that peaks within minutes.