Defined as:

developmentally inappropriate and excessive fear concerning separation from those to whome the individual is attached as evidenced by 3 or more of the following:

  1. recurring excessive distress when anticipating or experiencing separation from home/attachment figures
  2. persistant/excessive worry about losing figure or harm coming to them
  3. persistant worry about an event that causes separation
  4. reluctance or refusal to leave the person due to fear of separation
  5. relucance to be alone or without attachment figures in home or other settings

Other factors:

Symptoms are:

case example Physiological: breathless sore tummy nausea sick Cognitive: “i cant” “what if something happens to mum”, vivid nightmares regarding seperation Affective: nervous Behavioural: avoidant, refusing to be seperated

Prevalence: (community), (clinical)

Treatment options: