Important issues in separation anxiety disorder

This commentary focuses on important issues in the causes, recognition, comorbidities, prognosis, home management and prevention of childhood Separation Anixety Disorder. Some of these issues may be ignored or underestimated by the family caregivers, health professionals and people involved in caring for the children before and after the onset of the illness. As separation anxiety is commonly seen phenomenon encountered by children from 18 months up to older than 10 years old (and even some adolescents), it is important and useful to understand the current information and strategies in helping these people at the early stages of lifespan development. It is also important to recognize that healthy attachments to parents or closely linked family caregivers are crucial to normal psychosocial development of the child and well-being of the entire family.