separation anxiety

separation anxiety

developmentally inappropriate + excessive anxiety about separation from attachment figure

time duration for adults

6 months

time duration for children

4 weeks

criterion A

developmentally inappropriate + excessive fear and anxiety concerning separation from those whom the individual is attached to (mut be evidenced by at least 3 subcriterias)

criterion A1

recurrent + excessive distress when anticipating/experiencing separation from home or MAF

criterion A2

persistent + excessive worry about losing MAF/about possible harm to them

criterion A3

persistent + excessive worry about experiencing untoward event that causes separation from MAF

criterion A4

persistent reluctance/refusal to go out, away from home, to school, wo work, elsewhere out of fear of separation

criterion A5

persistent + excessive fear/reluctance about being alone/without MAF @ home or other settings

criterion A6

persistent reluctance/refusal to sleep away from home/go to sleep without MAF near

criterion A7

repeated nightmares involving theme of separation

criterion A8

repeated complaints of physical symptoms when separation from MAF occurs/is anticipated

criterion B

time period

criterion C

disturbance causes clinically significant distress/impairment in social, academic, occupational, or other important areas of functioning

criterion D

disturbance is not better explained by another mental disorder

criterions overview

A = developmentally inappropriate + excessive fear of separation

B = time period

C = clinically significant impairment + distress

D = differential diagnosis

criterion D similar mental disorders

ASD

psychotic disorders

agoraphobia

GAD

illness anxiety disorder

associated features (general)

social withdrawal, apathy, sadness, difficulty concentrating on work/play

fears of things/situations

dependence + protectiveness

excessive demands become source of frustration for others

associated features (children)

refusal to go to school —> difficulties in academics + socially

anger/aggression toward separator

demanding, intrusive, in need of constant attention

differential diagnosis within spectrum

focus of anxiety

differential diagnosis - bereavement

expected responses in bereavement vs fear of separation

differential diagnosis - mood disorders

low motivation for engaging with outside world vs fear of separation

differential diagnosis - oppositional defiant

persistent oppositional behaviour unrelated to occurrence of separation

differential diagnosis - conduct disorder

school avoidance and truancy due to separation and don’t avoid home

differential diagnosis - psychotic disorder

unusual perceptual experiences are:

• due to misconception of stimulus

• occur only in certain situations

• reversed by presence of MAF

personality disorders

dependence —> only rely on MAF and not indiscriminately

borderline —> fear of abandonment common but not accompanied by other key BPD criteria (issues with identity, self-direction, interpersonal functioning, impulsivity)

comorbidity in children

generalised anxiety disorder

specific phobia

comorbidity in adults

specific phobia

PTSD

panic disorder

generalised anxiety disorder

agoraphobia

OCD

personality disorders

mood disorders