My 9 year old son has seperation anxiety

[metoo13]

Recently my 9 year old son has been worried I will not be there to pick him up from school. He won't spend the night at friends homes even though he has many times before. He is also suddenly afraid of the dark. When we are out places he always keeps an eye on me. We went to the movies and I wanted to go get popcorn he would not stay in the theater even though he was with a friend. He is an only child and his father travels for a living. We have always been close. What do I do?

[jdtm]

First, I might suggest googling terms as "separation anxiety" or "childhood anxiety" or "anxiety disorder" or similar phrases/words to educate yourself about this condition.  There are many articles on line as well as books which can be purchased or borrowed from public library systems.  The fact your son's father travels probably increases his anxiety levels, but I doubt if this fact created his anxiety.  Anxiety tends to be an inherited trait and if one knows the signs, they can be noticed at birth.

Then, I would speak to your son's family doctor to seek further help.  Often, advice from an outside person can be enlightening.  If there still are issues, I would ask for a referral to a specialist in treating anxiety disorders.  Anxiety is highly treatable but success tends to be faster with young children; so I would not wait much longer.  For some reason, the teen years seem to be extremely difficult to treat (perhaps the behaviour becomes too ingrained - not sure though).  I wish you the best ...