An examination of separation anxiety disorder symptoms in adults from a clinical population

Abstract

Objective: Since major research has only recently begun into adult SepAD in clinical populations, this study examined the phenomenology of patients at-risk for adult SepAD. Method: A sample of 95 adult patients receiving CBT for either mood or anxiety disorders at a mental health outpatient clinic were included in this study. Results: It was found that one-fifth of the patients were at-risk for adult SepAD at the start of therapy. The large majority of the at-risk patients were female, were diagnosed at intake with another anxiety disorder, had a diagnosed DSM-IV-TR Axis-IV psychosocial and environmental problem. It was also found that adult SepAD symptom severity decreased after CBT. Lastly, it was found that adult SepAD symptom severity at the start of therapy reduced the effectiveness of CBT for depression, but not for anxiety. Conclusion: The findings may provide a better insight into phenomenology and possible improvement of the treatment of adult SepAD.