posted
Hello. I am suffering with what I believe to be adult separation anxiety disorder (I was diagnosed with the childhood version as a kid), and it's really starting to impact my life. Fortunately, I have a supportive family and boyfriend, but I know I'm putting them through a lot trying to help me and just put up with me.
Basically, I get really anxious (to the point of tears), when my boyfriend has to leave or when I know I'm not going to see him for a while. I have been trying hard to not let it get to me, but this not always working and/or not working well enough.
I am planning to see my therapist soon, but I wanted to know if you guys/gals had heard of this very much, and if you had any advice to give me on how to deal with it. Any advice or ideas are very, very welcome. Thank you.
Posts: 20 | Registered: Jun 2012
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Robin Lee
Volunteer Assistant Director
Member # 90293
posted
Hey collegegirl412,
I'm sorry to hear that you're struggling so much right now.
Considering that you were diagnosed with separation anxiety as a child, this really does sound like a psychological concern best handled in conjunction with your therapist.
Do you experience this anxiety when facing separation from anyone else besides your boyfriend?
-------------------- Robin Posts: 4338 | From: Washington DC suburbs | Registered: Dec 2011
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posted
As Robin mentioned above, I think this strays into a territory that we just aren't equipped to address. I'm glad you have an appointment with your therapist soon, because I think they're going to be the best person to give you tips on how to manage this issue and it does sound like a really upsetting situation.
While I can't suggest the best way to cope with this anxiety, it might be helpful, before you see your therapist, to take stock of what you have been doing to cope with this anxiety and think about what seems to be working a little vs. not at all, and if you have any sense of what feels different between the anxiety you have around your boyfriend vs. your family. My guess is that your therapist might ask you some of these questions and if you've been thinking about them ahead of time, it might be easier for the two of you to work out the best way to navigate these anxious feelings.
Posts: 362 | From: San Francisco | Registered: Jan 2013
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