separation anxiety

noun

Updated on: 22 Mar 2018

Definition of separation anxiety

: 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

See separation anxiety defined for English-language learners

Recent Examples of separation anxiety from the Web

Just as separation anxiety can continue well past early phases of development, comfort items, too, carry over into adulthood.

— devon murphy, The Cut, "My Ex’s Old Stuff Saved Me After Our Breakup," 6 Mar. 2018
Charron wanted her family, with two young sons and another dog with separation anxiety, to be the match.

— audrey dutton, idahostatesman, "Hospice program helps dying patients say goodbye to Fido, without fear | Idaho Statesman," 27 Feb. 2018
The Patins were looking for an adult dog that didn't have any special needs, such as separation anxiety.

— arin greenwood, chicagotribune.com, "Millions of dogs need homes. Why is it sometimes hard to adopt one?," 5 Feb. 2018
Bowie also suffers from separation anxiety and would do best in a home where someone is home most of the day.

— susan green, OregonLive.com, "Portland-area pets for adoption Jan. 30 (photos)," 30 Jan. 2018
Children with separation anxiety are terrified of being away from their parents and often worry that something terrible will befall them.

— andrea petersen, WSJ, "The Right Way for Parents to Help Anxious Children," 8 Dec. 2017
For pets with mild cases of separation anxiety, Dr. Sung has some advice.

— kim campbell thornton, sacbee, "Separation anxiety not just for shy dogs | The Sacramento Bee," 22 Dec. 2017
The most common disorders in youngsters are separation anxiety, social anxiety and generalized anxiety disorder.

— andrea petersen, WSJ, "The Right Way for Parents to Help Anxious Children," 8 Dec. 2017
Disorders of anxiety and fear include phobias, social phobia, generalized anxiety disorder, separation anxiety, PTSD and obsessive compulsive disorder.

— arash javanbakht and linda saab, Smithsonian, "What Happens in the Brain When We Feel Fear," 28 Oct. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'separation anxiety.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of separation anxiety

1943

SEPARATION ANXIETY Defined for English Language Learners

separation anxiety

noun

Definition of separation anxiety for English Language Learners

: a feeling of strong fear and anxiety that is experienced by a young child when the child is separated from a parent

Medical Dictionary

separation anxiety

noun

medical Definition of separation anxiety

: 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