Separation Anxiety
Separation Anxiety Disorder is characterized by excessive fear or anxiety about separation from primary attachment figures, most common in children and adolescents though occurring in adults.
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Understanding Separation Anxiety
Separation anxiety disorder involves excessive fear about separation from attachment figures. While some separation anxiety is developmentally normal, disorder-level anxiety significantly impairs functioning and causes distress.
Common Symptoms
Emotional & Psychological
- Excessive worry about separation from attachment figure
- Fear of harm befalling attachment figure
- Reluctance or refusal to be away from home
- Nightmares about separation scenarios
Physical & Behavioral
- Physical symptoms with separation (stomach pain, headaches)
- Sleep resistance and nighttime distress
- Clinging behaviors and attachment intensity
- School or activity refusal due to separation anxiety
How Separation Anxiety is Diagnosed
Separation anxiety diagnosis requires assessing anxiety's focus on separation, its intensity, and functional impairment across contexts. Dr. Farkas evaluates whether presentation meets disorder criteria and identifies appropriate treatment.
Why Choose Dr. Farkas for Separation Anxiety Treatment
Child & Adolescent Expertise
Specialized knowledge of developmental anxiety and age-appropriate treatment strategies.
Therapy Support
Medication reducing anxiety intensity enabling therapy focusing on separation tolerance development.
Attachment Sensitivity
Understanding of healthy attachment while reducing pathological separation anxiety patterns.
Family Consultation
Guidance for parents/caregivers supporting child's anxiety reduction and healthy autonomy development.
Ready for Separation Anxiety Treatment?
Expert psychiatric care helps children and adolescents overcome separation anxiety. Dr. Gabriella Farkas provides compassionate, developmentally-informed treatment.
Call (917) 267-9678 for Your ConsultationNext Steps
Schedule Your Evaluation
Contact Dr. Farkas to schedule your child's comprehensive psychiatric evaluation. New patient appointments typically available within 2-4 weeks. During the first appointment, Dr. Farkas will:
- Conduct thorough separation anxiety symptom assessment
- Evaluate functional impact across contexts
- Perform comprehensive psychiatric evaluation
- Develop personalized treatment plan with family input
Treatment Options
Based on evaluation, Dr. Farkas discusses anxiety medication reducing distress, therapy referral, and family strategies supporting separation tolerance development.
Ongoing Care
Regular appointments monitor anxiety reduction, adjust medications, support therapy progress, and help families manage separation anxiety successfully.
Evidence-Based Resources
Learn more from authoritative sources:
Anxiety & Depression Association of America National Institute of Mental Health American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry
Privacy & Confidentiality: Dr. Farkas's practice is fully HIPAA-compliant. Your health information is protected with the highest standards of confidentiality and security.