Separation anxiety disorder

When separation anxiety children feel partly violent fears in the absence of their caregivers. This is a normal stage of development that occurs between the 7th and the 18th month. The fears occurring in the separation be classified as pathological if " an unusual occurrence, an abnormal duration of the typical age level, and thereby also significant problems in social functions " occur.

Basics

The separation anxiety is often explained by the evolving bond and by progressive cognitive development. Here the child develops around the 8th month first outlines of object permanence. According to Jean Piaget object permanence is the knowledge that an object continues to exist, even if it is not perceived directly. This seems to be the cognitive condition, even being able to develop separation anxiety. Before this stage of development (about 6 to 8 months) solve separations unease. However, there is as yet no specific missing an object, so the caregiver.

In the state of separation needs for security, protection, contact and communication seem to be frustrated with the child. In attachment theory, the occurrence of anxiety at separation from significant others is explained as an evolutionary necessity. For the child to maintain the proximity to the caregiver plays an existential, vital importance. The apparent fear and showing protest thus serve survival.

Psychopathology

Separation anxiety is considered pathological if the fears shown last longer, than is the case with most children, or they are so strong, that social life is affected.

In such a case, the separation anxiety is referred to as child and adolescent psychiatric diagnosis Emotional separation anxiety disorder of childhood.