Although it tends to be related to children and the fear they feel when separating from their parents or guardians, they are not the only ones who suffer from this disorder. In fact, separation anxiety (SAD) also affects adults and can even be a problem due to the alteration it produces in the daily lives of people who suffer from it. Psychologist Irene Garrido Ciruela defines it as an anxiety disorder, which is characterized by a response of fear and anxiety when separating from one’s partner, in the case of adults. This situation that involves moving away from attachment bonds translates into a feeling of alert or alarm that generates fear and anxiety in the person.
Separation anxiety in adults occurs most commonly within a couple, however, it sometimes also affects parents and family members or friends. Or it can even happen to children, since, as the specialist clarifies, it is a disorder that appears at different stages of an adult’s life. This anxiety disorder causes you to experience anxiety and distress when traveling or any other circumstance that involves being away from your partner.
Although separation anxiety in adults manifests itself in different ways, there are a series of common symptoms that make it easier to identify it. Or, at least, to raise suspicions, since the task of making a diagnosis will always be the responsibility of professional and specialized personnel. However, Irene Garrido Ciruela lists some of the signs that should be paid attention to in these cases.
The reasons behind this type of anxiety are varied. It may be due to the existence of obsessive-compulsive disorder, social phobias or panic disorders, or even being prone to stress. Other causes that the psychologist mentions are having grown up with authoritarian leaders or having suffered a traumatic event during childhood.
