Separation Anxiety Disorder

Overview

4.5 out of 5 (15 Reviews)

Credits

1.50

Post-Assessment Questions

5

Start Date

1 Sep 2023

Last Review Date

17 Jun 2026

Expiration Date

31 Aug 2026

Estimated Time To Finish

90 Minutes


 
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Activity Description

Separation anxiety disorder represents one of the most common anxiety disorders in children and increasingly receives recognition across the lifespan, including in adults. This course differentiates developmentally appropriate separation anxiety, which commonly occurs during early childhood, from separation anxiety disorder, which involves excessive and persistent fear, distress, and functional impairment related to actual or anticipated separation from attachment figures. This activity reviews the epidemiology, neurobiology, genetic and environmental risk factors, clinical presentation, diagnostic criteria, and validated screening tools associated with separation anxiety disorder. Participants will also gain an in-depth understanding of attachment theory, fear neurocircuitry, and the psychosocial and neurophysiological mechanisms contributing to pathological anxiety, as well as evidence-based management strategies, including cognitive behavioral therapy, parent-based interventions, pharmacotherapy, and combination treatment approaches. This activity for healthcare professionals is designed to enhance the learner's competence in identifying separation anxiety disorder across age groups, performing comprehensive evaluations, applying appropriate screening instruments, selecting individualized, patient-centered treatment strategies, and implementing an appropriate interprofessional approach when managing this condition to improve functional and psychosocial outcomes.


Target Audience

This activity has been designed to meet the educational needs of physicians, physician associates, nurses, pharmacists, nurse practitioners, and social workers.

Learning Objectives

At the conclusion of this activity, the learner will be better able to:

  • Identify diagnostic criteria that differentiate developmentally appropriate separation anxiety from separation anxiety disorder across various age groups.

  • Assess patients with suspected separation anxiety disorder using validated diagnostic instruments.

  • Apply evidence-based treatment strategies according to functional impairment for patients diagnosed with separation anxiety disorder.

  • Collaborate with the interprofessional team members to improve care coordination and patient-centered outcomes in separation anxiety disorder.

Disclosures

StatPearls, LLC requires everyone who influences the content of an educational activity to disclose relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies that have occurred within the past 24 months. Ineligible companies are organizations whose primary business is producing, marketing, selling, re-selling, or distributing healthcare products used by or on patients. All relevant conflict(s) of interest have been mitigated. Hover over contributor names for financial disclosures. Others involved in planning this educational activity have no relevant financial relationships to disclose.

Commercial Support: This activity has received NO commercial support.

Continuing Education Accreditation Information

In support of improving patient care, StatPearls, LLC is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.


As a Jointly Accredited Organization, StatPearls, LLC is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved under this program. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. StatPearls, LLC maintains responsibility for this course. Social workers completing this course receive 1.50 continuing education credits.

Social Workers: StatPearls, LLC designates this continuing education activity for 1.50 ASWB ACE credit(s) for social workers. Social Workers should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Please consult your professional licensing board for information on the applicability and acceptance of continuing education credit for this activity.

Method of Participation and Credit

  1. Register for the activity.    
  2. Review the target audience, learning objectives, and disclosure information.
  3. Study the educational content of the enduring material.
  4. Choose the best answer to each activity test question. To receive credit and a certificate, you must pass the test questions with a minimum score of 100%.
  5. Complete the post-activity assessment survey.

If you have concerns regarding the CE/CME system, please contact support@statpearls.com.

Disclaimer

This educational activity was planned and produced in accordance with the ACCME Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education. Faculty may discuss investigational products or off-label uses of products regulated by the FDA. Readers should verify all information before employing any therapies described in this educational activity.

The information provided for this activity is for continuing education purposes only and is not meant to substitute for the independent medical/clinical judgment of a healthcare provider relative to diagnostic and treatment options of a specific patient’s medical condition. The information presented does not necessarily reflect the views of StatPearls or any commercial supporters of educational activities on statpearls.com. StatPearls expressly disclaims responsibility for any adverse consequences resulting directly or indirectly from information in the course, for undetected error, or through a participant's misunderstanding of the content.

Unapproved Uses of Drugs/Devices: In accordance with FDA requirements, the audience is advised that information presented in this continuing education activity may contain references to unlabeled or unapproved uses of drugs or devices. Please refer to the FDA-approved package insert for each drug/device for full prescribing/utilization information.

Cancellation Policy: Please see the cancellation policy. StatPearls, LLC reserves the right to cancel any course due to unforeseen circumstances.

 

 
 

Reviews

Charles on 11/14/2022

Christina M. on 12/27/2022

Richard K. on 6/25/2023

shayna m. on 8/7/2023

Casey B. on 9/5/2023

Brian V. on 4/29/2024

Malani K. on 4/30/2024

Likta N. on 5/22/2024

Elena E. on 7/10/2024

Paras P. on 9/5/2024

bamidele g. on 11/16/2024

meagan r. on 3/12/2025

Karen R. on 5/27/2025

Daniel C. on 7/2/2025

Patricia N. on 10/26/2025

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