separation anxiety

noun

: a form of anxiety experienced by a young child and caused by separation from a significant nurturant figure and typically a parent or from familiar surroundings

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web

Some dogs can also get separation anxiety. —Nisa Khan, Detroit Free Press, 19 Sep. 2020

Though some children adapt to their new surroundings without many adverse effects, a majority – around 70% – showed signs of separation anxiety. —Rick Jervis, USA TODAY, 22 Feb. 2023

Behavior therapy at The Fury Tail Shack is for dogs with anxiety, fear of humans, separation anxiety, excessive barking and fear of loud noises, among other conditions. —Bob Sandrick, cleveland, 20 Dec. 2021

To ease Becky’s separation anxiety, Patinkin recorded himself singing Becky’s pre-meal blessings. —Bethy Squires, Vulture, 6 Sep. 2021

But now, as vaccinations open to nearly all ages and people begin, more and more, to live and work outside their home, pet owners are having to find ways to head off separation anxiety. —Ryan Kost, San Francisco Chronicle, 14 Apr. 2021

My puppy Huxley was having bad separation anxiety! —Washington Post, 15 May 2021

My puppy Huxley was having separation anxiety bad. —Heloise, Arkansas Online, 15 May 2021

Every parent has experienced this particular flavor of desperation, whether they’re trapped in a bed in the dark with a 3-year-old with separation anxiety, or when a toddler pops up at a particularly gory moment in The Last of Us asking for just one more drink of water. —WIRED, 4 Mar. 2023

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Word History

First Known Use

1943, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

separation anxiety

noun

: a form of anxiety that is caused by separation from a significant nurturant figure and typically a parent or from familiar surroundings and that has an onset during childhood or sometimes adolescence