Separation Anxiety Disorder in Children

This represents fear of separation from parents (or guardians), which manifests in extreme ways. The development of this disorder is often preceded by a family event involving a parent moving house, leaving or dying. It differs from regular fear due to the significant problems it creates in social functioning. It can be exhibited for instance by:

• very strong fear of permanent loss of parent, kidnapping or long-term separation from parents, etc.,

• nightmares about separation from parents,

• refusing to go attend kindergarten,

• difficulties falling asleep without the presence of the parents.

Childhood Phobic Anxiety Disorder

Fear of specific things, people, animals and situations is a normal occurrence in children ages three to four as part of the development of cognition. We can only refer to this as a phobic anxiety disorder if the fear is excessive. In general, every fear which does not meet with the appropriate adult care or emotionally available explanation may become a phobia. For instance fear of the dark may turn into a phobic syndrome if the caregivers do not sufficiently fulfill the child’s need to be safe and safely explore the world around them.

Childhood Social Anxiety Disorder

This disorder is characterized by fear of strange people and worries or anxiety when experiencing new or unusual social situations. For instance a child who avoids talking in front of their peers or teacher may have problems managing their emotions in situations requiring assertiveness.

Sibling Rivalry Disorder

Some degree of emotional disturbance following the birth of an immediately younger sibling is manifested in a majority of children. A sibling rivalry disorder should be diagnosed only if the degree or persistence of the disturbance is both statistically unusual and associated with abnormalities in social interaction. It can be demonstrated by regression, or an excessively positive/negative attitude towards the sibling.