Separation Anxiety
Specialized Therapy in Scottsdale, Arizona
Refusing to sleep alone, be away from a caregiver, or even leave their home.
Children with separation anxiety have difficulty being or having thoughts about being away from a caregiver. Often, children experience fears about being abandoned at school, being forgotten, getting lost, or something awful happening to their caregivers. Caregivers often feel puzzled as to why their children feel this way and attempt to soothe their children by giving into the anxiety: remaining in close proximity to their child at all times, avoiding date nights or babysitters, allowing the child to stay home from school, or even sleeping in their child’s bed or allowing their child to sleep in their bed. Parents feel exhausted and at a loss wondering how to help their child feel better! A child with separation anxiety is not being stubborn, manipulative, or weak. Their fears are intense, real, and in need of compassion and a specific plan of action. Separation anxiety may look like:
Refusing to sleep alone
Fear and reluctance to be alone
Frequent stomachaches, headaches, or other physical complaints
Muscle aches or tension
Too much worry about safety of self
Too much worry about or when sleeping away from home
A child with separation anxiety may
Have recurring nightmares about separating from caregivers or other adults
Refuse to sleep alone
Worry too much about the safety of a family member
Worry too much about getting lost from family
Be very clingy, even when at home
Frequent stomachaches, headaches, or other physical complaints such as muscle aches or tension
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