Posttraumatic stress disorder. Fear of separation from loved ones is common after trau matic events such as a disasters, particularly when periods of separation from loved ones were experienced during the traumatic event. In posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), the central symptoms concern intrusions about, and avoidance of, memories associated with the traumatic event itself, whereas in separation anxiety disorder, the worries and avoid ance concern the well-being of attachment figures and separation from them.