Key points about separation anxiety disorder in children

• SAD is a type of mental health problem. ...
• The cause of SAD is both biological and environmental.
• Symptoms of SAD are more severe than the normal separation anxiety that nearly every child has to some degree between the ages of 18 months and 3 years of age.
• A child must have symptoms that last at least 4 weeks to be considered SAD.

• Approximately 4% of youth will suffer from separation anxiety disorder during any given school year.
• Separation anxiety disorder is the most common anxiety disorder in children under 12 years of age, with a gradual decrease in frequency as children mature into adolescence and adulthood. However, separation anxiety can continue well into adulthood, and even begin in adulthood.