1.

Individual displays fear or anxiety concerning separation from attachment figures, anxiety that is unreasonable or excessive for his or her age group.

2.

Individual’s excessive anxiety features three or more of the following symptoms: • Repeated separation-related upset • Repeated loss-related concern • Repeated fear of experiencing separation-caused events • Repeated resistance to leaving home • Repeated resistance to being alone • Repeated resistance to sleep-aways • Repeated separation-focused nightmares • Repeated separation-triggered physical symptoms.

3.

Individual’s symptoms last 4 or more weeks for children and at least 6 months for adults.

4.

Significant distress or impairment.

(Information from: APA, 2013)