Separation anxiety is a regular stage of development for newborns and toddlers. Young children are often involved with separation anxiety, but most kids grow up with separation anxiety by about three years of age.

In a few kids, separation anxiety is a symptom of a more severe circumstance known as separation anxiety disorder, beginning as early as preschool. If your child's separation anxiety appears extreme or lasts a long time— mainly if it gets involved in school or other everyday activities or includes panic attacks or other issues— they may have a separation anxiety disorder. This connects to the child's anxiety about their parents most regularly, but it could connect to another close caretaker.