While it is normal for young children (around ages 18 months to three years) to experience trouble adjusting at the separation from a parent, children who suffer from SAD simply cannot adjust. SAD typically manifests itself in 4% of older, school age children (7-9), and is often described as "excessive anxiety away from home or when separated from parents or caregivers"(ADAA, 2015). While some children feel safe as long as a parent is home, other children's anxiety is more severe, resulting in "shadowing"(WorryWiseKids, 2015) parents around the house. In addition, children with SAD struggle on school mornings, resulting in tears, anger, and sometimes physical symptoms like nausea. Often times, children who suffer from SAD are unable to sleep alone, resulting in either a parent sleeping with them in their room, or they sleep in their parents bed. (WorryWiseKids, 2015).
Causes
As with all anxiety disorders, the causes of SAD are unknown. However, scientific research indicates a correlation between genetic predisposition and environmental susceptibility. Another factor that may play a part in the development of SAD is stress during pregnancy. On the other hand, it's estimated that "50-75% of children who suffer from this disorder come from homes of low socioeconomic status"(Dryden-Edwards, MD., 2015).
Signs & Symptoms
According to Worry Wise Kids, an awareness organization created by Dr. Tamar Chansky, in conjunction with The Children's and Adult Center for OCD and Anxiety, here are ten red flags to look out for:
Extreme, excessive distress upon routine separations from home, parents and/or loved ones
Crying, clinging, panic, disorganization upon separation or in anticipation of separation
Worry about losing, or about possible harm befalling parents or other family members
Fears of getting lost or being kidnapped
Great difficulty separating at night, may attempt to sleep with parent or sibling
Physical symptoms (such as headaches, stomachaches, nausea or vomiting) when separation occurs, or in anticipation of separations
Inability to be alone; shadows parents around the house, even to the bathroom
Inability to be on a separate floor from parent
Needing reassurance of parents' presence, panics and calls for parent if parent has left the room or is not visible
Disinterest in social activities; preference to spend time with parent
Nightmares about harm, danger, death, separation
Over-concern with loved one-needs reassurance that loved one is ok
Panics if parent late for pick ups; frequent reassurance about pick-up plan
Inability to attend birthday parties or field trips independently
Frequent "I love you's" and other checking-in mechanisms with parent