Adult Separation Anxiety Disorder: The Human-Animal Bond

Abstract

Separation anxiety has traditionally been considered a psychological disorder with an onset in childhood or adolescence. The introduction of an adult onset Separation Anxiety Disorder in the DSM-5 recognises that separation anxiety can occur at any stage across the lifespan. Although researchers have principally focused on adult separation anxiety associated with separations from home or attachment figures, limited literature exists concerning whether this attachment figure must, in fact, be human. This review examines separation anxiety with a focus on diagnostic reclassification, epidemiological studies, nosologic implications, and psychometric measurements. Attachment is conceptualised as extending to companion animals with discussion directed towards the potential implications.