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What are the symptoms of adult separation anxiety disorder?

Nov 17, 2025 Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Zhang Baohua
Introduction
Symptoms of adult separation anxiety disorder typically manifest as intense emotional reactions during separation, excessive worry about the risk of separation, and frequent checking on the other person's status. When separated from close individuals (such as partners or family members), individuals may experience severe anxiety, fear, or even emotional breakdowns,表现为 crying, irritability, and restlessness. They often remain emotionally distressed for prolonged periods after separation, remaining immersed in feelings of unease.

Adult separation anxiety disorder can generally manifest in the following aspects: intense emotional reactions during separation, excessive worry about the risk of separation, frequently checking on the other person's status, avoiding situations that may lead to separation, and accompanying physical discomfort symptoms. A detailed analysis is as follows:

1. Intense emotions during separation: When separating from close individuals (such as partners or family members), individuals may experience intense anxiety, fear, or even emotional breakdowns, manifested as crying, irritability, restlessness, and an inability to calm down for a prolonged period after separation, remaining immersed in distress.

2. Excessive concern about risks of separation: There is persistent worry about potential dangers following separation, such as fearing the other person might have an accident, abandon them, or worrying they won't be able to cope with living alone. Even without factual basis, negative thoughts are difficult to control, leading to constant inner panic.

3. Frequently checking the other person’s status: During separation, individuals repeatedly contact the other person via phone calls or messages to confirm their safety and whereabouts. If responses are delayed, anxiety quickly escalates, triggering physical reactions such as palpitations and trembling hands, making it impossible to focus on other tasks.

4. Avoiding situations that may involve separation: Individuals deliberately avoid circumstances requiring separation from loved ones—such as refusing business trips, avoiding going out alone, or even giving up job opportunities and social activities—solely to prevent separation-related anxiety, significantly affecting normal daily functioning and personal development.

5. Accompanying physical symptoms: During episodes of separation anxiety, physical symptoms such as headaches, chest tightness, nausea, and insomnia commonly occur. These symptoms gradually subside after reunion, yet medical examinations reveal no clear physiological cause, indicating a strong association between physical discomfort and separation situations.

If the above symptoms persist and interfere with daily life, timely psychological support should be sought. Symptoms can be improved through interventions such as cognitive behavioral therapy, preventing long-term anxiety from causing further mental and physical health issues, and gradually building the ability to independently manage life challenges.

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