separation anxiety disorder. what is it? how to treat it?

Question

My grandaughter doesn't want to leave her mother. always puts up a stink

Answer 1

"what is it?"

Developmentally inappropriate and excessive anxiety concerning separation from home or from those to whom the individual is attached, as evidenced by three (or more) of the following:

recurrent excessive distress when separation from home or major attachment figures occurs or is anticipated

persistent and excessive worry about losing, or about possible harm befalling, major attachment figures

persistent and excessive worry that an untoward event will lead to separation from a major attachment figure (e.g., getting lost or being kidnapped)

persistent reluctance or refusal to go to school or elsewhere because of fear of separation

persistently and excessively fearful or reluctant to be alone or without major attachment figures at home or without significant adults in other settings

persistent reluctance or refusal to go to sleep without being near a major attachment figure or to sleep away from home

repeated nightmares involving the theme of separation

repeated complaints of physical symptoms (such as headaches, stomachaches, nausea, or vomiting) when separation from major attachment figures occurs or is anticipated

The duration of the disturbance is at least 4 weeks.

The onset is before age 18 years.

The disturbance causes clinically significant distress or impairment in social, academic (occupational), or other important areas of functioning.

The disturbance does not occur exclusively during the course of a Pervasive Developmental Disorder, Schizophrenia, or other Psychotic Disorder and, in adolescents and adults, is not better accounted for by Panic Disorder With Agoraphobia.

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"how to treat it?"
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/publicat/childqa.cfm

Answer 2

how old is she? for a child not wanting to leave her mother does NOT mean she has a separation anxiety disorder.dont try to make a diagnosis yourself please, there are many disorders that look the same or have the same symptoms, and there are many behaviours that really are normal, only a professional can tell the difference

Answer 3

yeah, if we call it a disorder than we can give kid a pill and turn her into one of several million american kids medicated for being normal. It is normal for a child to be upset, if they don't get upset in the early age they will never learn how to deal with bigger problems, i don't understand Drs anymore. They want to premedicate whole generation. For children why misbehave in school because they are BORED with slow pace -- pill... for children who are rotten spoiled -- pill... Wake up people, you are degrading your own children, aren't you scared?