Adult Separation Anxiety Disorder: A Review

Abstract

Separation anxiety is excessive anxiety in separation from or expectation of separation from basic attachment figures. Separation anxiety disorder was considered a childhood and adolescent disorder until the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). Nowadays, it is known that separation anxiety disorder may continue or begin in adulthood. Adult separation anxiety disorder (ASAD) shows similar clinical manifestations than in the children population. ASAD has been associated with several comorbid mental disorders such as anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, and personality disorders. ASAD can also affect the clinical symptoms and course of comorbid psychiatric disorders. There is not enough data about the treatment approaches for ASAD.

Keywords

• separation anxiety
• review
• adulthood