Separation anxiety isn’t only seen in children. It can also be seen in adults. Childhood separation anxiety in adults can lead to extreme fear that bad things will happen to important people in your life.

People who experience anxiety and related conditions can also have another disorder known as separation anxiety, which may lead to anxious feelings tied to being apart from loved ones or caregivers.

While this is most often seen in children, adults can also experience separation anxiety disorder.

Separation anxiety is a regular part of development for children between 6 months and 3 years old. This may evolve into a diagnosis if symptoms continue beyond that age into later childhood. It’s one of the most common anxiety-related disorders in children.

If this continues into adulthood, the diagnosis will change to adult separation disorder.

While they’re different diagnoses based on age, separation anxiety has similar symptoms for both children and adults.

But for adults, this type of anxiety tied to being away from or concerned about loved ones when they aren’t around, can lead to high levels of anxiety or panic attacks that might affect quality of life.

Adults with this disorder may experience the following when away from loved ones, including children that they aren’t around:

  • excessive fear or anxiety about being separated from people you’re close to
  • socially withdrawl
  • extreme sadness
  • difficulty concentrating
  • parents with separation anxiety disorder may lead to strict, “helicopter” parenting
  • more likely to be an overbearing partner in relationships
  • unfounded fears that loved ones, or yourself, will be abducted or injured
  • extreme and persistent hesitancy or refusal to leave the proximity of loved ones
  • difficulty sleeping away from a loved one for fear that something will happen to them
  • depression or anxiety attacks related to any of the above topics

You may also experience physical aches and pains, headaches, and diarrhea associated with periods of anxiety.

To be diagnosed with adult separation anxiety disorder, symptoms must impair functioning and continue for at least 6 months.

Separation anxiety often develops after a loss of a loved one or following a significant event such as moving to college.

You may be more likely to develop adult separation anxiety disorder if you were diagnosed with separation anxiety disorder as a child or teenager. Adults who grew up with overbearing parents may also be at an increased risk.

Adult separation anxiety disorder is often diagnosed in people who’ve also been diagnosed with any of the following conditions:

Does this relate to other anxiety conditions?

Yes, separation anxiety may raise the risk or be linked with other anxiety conditions.

Researchers don’t know what causes separation anxiety, but it’s often seen alongside other anxiety and depression-related conditions and personality disorders.

These may include:

Your doctor will conduct a comprehensive exam to diagnose adult separation disorder, using criteria outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition (DSM-V).

That criterion indicates that the anxiety and fear related to being away from loved ones must be “developmentally inappropriate.” Other diagnostic criteria include:

  • symptoms present for a minimum of 6 months
  • severe symptoms that affect social functioning and responsibilities
  • symptoms cannot be better explained by a different disorder

Your healthcare professional will ask you many questions to determine if you fit the criteria for this diagnosis. You may need several sessions with a therapist before receiving a diagnosis.

Your health provider may also talk with close family members or friends to help them better understand how your symptoms affect your daily life. They won’t disclose anything you’ve shared, and they’ll only talk with them if they’ve received your consent.

Treatment for adult separation anxiety disorder is similar to what’s used for those diagnosed as children and adults, and often for other adult anxiety disorders.

Your healthcare team may recommend a variety of treatments, or you may have to try several treatments before finding one that works for you. Possible treatments include:

Adult separation anxiety can have an onset in childhood or adulthood. Similar to other anxiety disorders, adult separation anxiety can affect your quality of life, but the condition can be managed with treatment.

Talk with a medical professional if you suspect you or someone you love is living with this disorder.