S.H.
Gosh the poor girl!
Just wondering, if in the past something may have happened while in daycare/babysitter, that then freaks her out about it???
Typically, yes, "separation anxiety" appears at different age-sets, and is manifested in different ways, per the child's age. So then this is 'normal.' At 2 years old...a child is ALSO STILL developing 'emotions." Their emotion range, is budding, they are experiencing different emotions, and being that it is all so 'abstract'... a child this age can't literally understand it all... or "cope" with things such as anxiety or normal everyday 'fears.'
So then yes, it's a "phase" and they outgrow it... and it may reappear again as well. But typically gets better as the child gets older.
Has your child said to you, "why" she freaks out with others???? I know at this age, they can't just articulate what they are feeling perfectly... but just ask her. See how she responds....
The thing is, she reacts 'hysterically' and very scared like. So, perhaps it is just a more overt separation anxiety that she is having. BUT, it's curious, that only a few months ago, or lately, that she started behaving this way, when previously, she didn't and was fine with it.
If anything, and it is a typical separation phase... you may just have to plan your activities as such, with this in mind. OR, you just go about things and leave her with a babysitter anyway. Knowing that your girl will react this way.
For myself, my daughter was always 'shy' with others... and pretty clingy. But she never got 'hysterical' over it, or with other 'strangers' in the same room. Nor did she cry over it.
Sorry I don't have any answers... but you could try and read her stories about 'strangers' or about socializing... teaching her about 'emotions' and the names for her feelings... and talking to her about "Mommy comes back...." and what not. And, also teaching her about how to tell you if something or someone 'scares' her etc. These are very good skills to learn for a child even at this age.
All the best,
Susan