Separation Anxiety

Learn about separation anxiety in this child psychology video from Howcast.

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Separation Anxiety Disorder commonly occurs in children and can start as early as 3 or 4 years old, the preschool age, and move on through adolescence and adult hood. Separation anxiety commonly is when a child becomes extremely upset to leave their care giver or their figure of attachment. Children with Separation Anxiety Disorder may become very tearful when left in a certain situation where they feel like they might be alone. Their tears may range from subtle crying all the way to extreme tantrums and avoidance of being left alone. Children have a great deal of difficulty being comforted when they feel anxious due to the separation. While separation anxiety can be handled through behavioral strategies and interventions, it's usually a systemic approach between teacher's and parent's or other adults in the child's life to help them feel comfortable and secure. Over time children frequently become more comfortable in their situation, and the Separation Anxiety symptoms do decrease. While there are many different features of Separation Anxiety Disorder, this is a brief overview of some of the signs and symptoms.

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  • Dr. Kimberly Williams

    Dr. Williams is a Pediatric Neuropsychologist and Clinical Psychologist with offices in Long Island and Brooklyn, New York. She has exceptional expertise in the evaluation of children with academic and learning problems, psychological disorders such as anxiety, depression, difficult or oppositional behaviors and those with developmental delays and social deficits. Dr. Williams also provides assessments for individuals with neurologic concerns such as tic disorders and tourettes syndrome, epilepsy, traumatic brain injuries and conditions secondary to medical illness. Dr. Williams is a graduate of Spelman College, earned her Doctor of Psychology at The Virginia Consortium Program in Clinical Psychology (The College of William and Mary, Norfolk State University, Old Dominion University and Eastern Virginia Medical School). She received her advanced training through Cornell Weill Medical Center at Lincoln Hospital and NYU Child Study Center and went on to join the faculty group practice and serve as Clinical Instructor of the Department for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at the NYU Langone Medical Center, before opening her private practices.