Your loved ones play an integral role in your day-to-day life. They are people you make memories with, vent to after a long day and act as a source of light during dark times. While many people form deep connections with loved ones, whether that be family, friends or significant others, it’s also possible that those connections can lead to distress if you have trouble being away from them.

Separation anxiety is often associated with children, with many babies experiencing symptoms that go away on their own by 3 years old. However, it’s also possible for adults to experience separation anxiety. Up to 2% of the adult U.S. population is affected by separation anxiety disorder symptoms. 

By learning about the symptoms that stem from separation anxiety disorder, you can gain insight to whether they align with your emotions, thoughts and behaviors that may require treatment.

7 symptoms of separation anxiety

Separation anxiety disorder is an anxiety disorder that causes overwhelming worry when you have to be apart from someone. It can occur anytime you have to be separated from a loved one, but it’s usually during stressful times or in anticipation of an upcoming separation.

When a person is experiencing separation anxiety, negative thoughts and emotions can make it difficult to focus on anything else. It can lead to reduced productivity and strained relationships with others. Separation anxiety disorder generally involves excessive fear or anxiety about separation from people, such as a parent, partner, or child.

Separation anxiety can lead to physical, emotional and mental symptoms. Here are seven symptoms of separation that you should be aware of:

1. Intense fear that something bad will happen when you’re separated from loved ones
2. Panic attacks during separation from loved ones
3. Refusing to leave loved ones at home, even for work, school or appointments
4. Concentration issues
5. Muscle tension or headaches from anxiety
6. Recurring nightmares about being apart
7. Impending sense of doom, even without a threat

If you experience persistent or worsening symptoms, talk to your doctor about a potential separation anxiety disorder diagnosis. The diagnostic criteria include:

• Having symptoms for at least six months (or, in children, at least four weeks)
• Symptoms that impact your overall quality of life
• Symptoms that aren’t connected to a different disorder or health issue

How to manage separation anxiety

If you’re experiencing symptoms of separation anxiety, it can affect every aspect of your life. Fortunately, it is possible to alleviate the symptoms for improved cognitive, emotional and behavioral patterns.

Here are a few ways to treat separation anxiety:

• Find a hobby — Keeping yourself busy can help you fight the negative thoughts and emotions that are easy to hyperfixate on when you’re separated from your loved one. Try to find a hobby that not only requires focus, but also brings you positive emotions, such as contentment and accomplishment. Having a solo hobby can also be a form of self-care that improves your overall mental health. Possible hobbies include gardening, painting and bird-watching.
• Join a support group — When you’re experiencing separation anxiety symptoms, it can make you refuse to be around anyone but your loved ones. When you’re apart from them, the overwhelming concern can make you want to isolate yourself from anyone else. Turning to people who are having similar symptoms can help you work through them. Consider joining a support group for anxiety disorders so that you can find comfort in opening up to other people who can understand your fears.
• Talk to a therapist — One of the best courses of action to start alleviating separation anxiety is to book an appointment with a psychotherapist. Talking to a therapist can help you get to the root issues behind your symptoms and learn coping mechanisms to help you through periods of separation. You’ll also be able to work through the emotions and thoughts that you’re having when separated from your loved ones.

Lightfully can help you manage your separation anxiety symptoms

While it’s expected to miss your loved ones when they leave for a trip or move to a new place, anxiety from being apart from them, even for just a few hours, can take a significant toll on your mental health. It’s important to talk to your doctor if you believe you’re experiencing separation anxiety symptoms.

When you need further support for your separation anxiety beyond regular therapy sessions, Lightfully levels of care are here to help. Using our Precision Care Model, we’ll treat you as a whole person, not just your separation anxiety. You’re more than your anxiety.

Here are our four intensive levels of care that can help your separation anxiety symptoms:

• Residential Treatment Center
• Intensive Outpatient Program 
• Virtual Intensive Outpatient Program 
• Partial Hospitalization Program

 Change is possible. When you’re ready to take the first step, reach out to our Admissions Concierge Team. We’ll take the next steps together, toward the fullest, brightest version of you.