What is Separation Anxiety? Separation anxiety is a normal part of developmental stage usually develops during the last few months of infancy especially when they are separated from the primary caregiver. According to M.D. Consolini, separation anxiety “typically begins at about 8 mo, peaks in intensity between 10 and 18 months, and generally resolves by 24 months.” During this time, children will show varying emotions such as crying, fear and distressed as the parent leaves. During the early stage of infancy, child becomes familiarized and comfortable with their primary givers and feels safe around them. As they get older, the lack of familiarity makes them feel threatened and unsafe. Separation anxiety …show more content…
Often times, they start crying or become uncomfortable and quiet when they are introduced to someone new even if the parent is right there. For example, this can happen with baby’s 10 month doctor visit that he or she may does not want to be seen or picked up by the doctor. For another example, majority of infants start to become irritable and clingy as they are approached by family members whom they see infrequently. On the other hand, separation anxiety occurs as the child get separated from the parents and they tend to believe that they do not exist since they are not there anymore and become distressed. For example, this occurs when parents leave for work and babies are left with sitters. Another example of separation anxiety is that children may show reluctance to sleep without the parents …show more content…
The first phase or protest occurs when the child is separated from primary caregivers and it can last from a few hours to several days. For example, when parents leave them at the hospital, the child may react by crying. Also, they express agitation, and reject others who attempt to offer comfort displaying anger and grief. This phase moves onto the second phase, despair if the parents fails to return within a short period of time. For example, at this point, child expresses hopelessness, sadness, becomes quiet and not crying anymore, exhibits apathy and depression. For another example, they tend to withdraw from others and activities. Thirdly, detachment occurs in long-term separations as the child develops coping mechanisms to protect against additional emotional distress. During this phase, the child starts to play again and show interest in the environment. Moreover, a child in this phase fails to show contentment even if the parents return. For instance, the child will turn his/her face at the parent and refuse to greet them. In addition, developmental delays can occur by this stage and it is hard to reverse (Pg. 1128). Additionally, the child may exhibit ambivalence after being with the parents for a while after their return. For example, the child might show contentment with the parent at point and resignation at the