School Phobia/Separation Anxiety

Abstract

Children with separation anxiety/school phobia most commonly present during their kindergarten and first grade years. When this disorder presents later it usually reflects a more difficult problem. In the young child it most often manifests as refusal to go to school or to separate from a parent, whereas in an older child it may manifest as somatic symptoms. Common symptoms are headaches, stomachache, and sometimes more unusual symptoms such as weakness or “spells.” The symptoms often have a pattern of improvement over the weekend and exacerbate during the early mornings before school, although this is not always true. The child may have an underlying fear of something happening to the parent when they are not home. This frequently develops after an infectious illness requires time away from school.