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Medical Author:

Bettina E Bernstein, DO

Medical Editor:

David Perlstein, MD, MBA, FAAP

David Perlstein, MD, MBA, FAAP

Dr. Perlstein received his Medical Degree from the University of Cincinnati and then completed his internship and residency in pediatrics at The New York Hospital, Cornell medical Center in New York City. After serving an additional year as Chief Pediatric Resident, he worked as a private practitioner and then was appointed Director of Ambulatory Pediatrics at St. Barnabas Hospital in the Bronx.

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Separation Anxiety Symptoms

Symptoms of separation anxiety disorder include the following:

• Subjective feeling of anxiety



• Unrealistic worries about the safety of loved ones



• Reluctance to fall asleep if not near the primary attachment figure



• Excessive dismay (for example, tantrums) if separation from the primary attachment figure is imminent



• Nightmares with separation-related themes



• Homesickness



• Psychosomatic symptoms such as headache, dizziness, lightheadedness, nausea, stomachache, cramps, vomiting, muscle aches, and heart palpitations