Which anxiety disorder involves fears of disasters befalling attachment figures leading to avoidance of separation?

Separation Anxiety Disorder is characterized by an intense fear of separation from attachment figures, often a caregiver or significant person in a child’s life, but it can also manifest in adults. Individuals with this disorder experience excessive anxiety concerning potential harm or disaster that might occur to their attachment figures when they are apart. This fear leads to avoidance behaviors, where the individual might refuse to go to school, stay at home alone, or engage in activities that necessitate separation from their loved ones.

In childhood, this disorder may look like tantrums or physical complaints when separation is imminent, while adults may experience similar fears and may find themselves clinging excessively to their loved ones or feeling unable to function without them. The recognition of these symptoms is crucial in diagnosis, as they are distinctly tied to the fear of separation rather than other anxiety-related concerns.

Other options do not specifically pertain to the fears surrounding separation from attachment figures. For instance, Selective Mutism involves the inability to speak in specific social situations despite speaking in other contexts, which does not involve the same type of attachment-related anxiety. Anxiety Disorders is a broad category encompassing various types of anxiety-related issues, but it lacks the specificity of separation-focused fears. Panic Disorder is characterized by recurrent, unexpected panic attacks and