[AnxiousSadGirl]

Hello everyone. I feel so alone. No one understands my condition. I am often put down when I try to explain what I am going through. I really want to meet people with separation anxiety but everyone I meet has some other anxiety disorder. I need to relate to someone. Counsellors don't help. No one can help me. Since everyone thinks I'm psycho. Does anyone here have separation anxiety? I really would like to speak with you.

[sideblinded]

I feel your feelings of being alone AnxiousSadGirl. I have been there, too. I have separation anxiety as well so I understand. I came from an abusive home and I was neglected and abandoned. I get feelings that no one in the world is there for me. Luckily these feelings do eventually pass as I know they will for you. I don't think that counselors know everything. I think some counselors know more than others about how to help their clients. Having this is not all that uncommon. You are not alone and I feel that support groups may be a great option for you to get to these core feelings and be able to share them and heal. I have found 12 step programs helpful. I wish you some relief from these awful feelings and remember that there is always hope.

[CosmicRose]

I have separation anxiety with my dad because growing up I was always concerned about his health and him dying. It was a constant fear.
To this day, if I'm away from home over night or if I don't check up on him I assume the worst. I've even been on dates before where I'm supposed to be having a good time and I'll be thinking about whether or not my dad is okay, if he fell, if he's in trouble, whatever else.

I don't know if this is typical separation anxiety, but it feels like it.

[AnxiousSadGirl]

Thanks for the replies. Can I keep in contact with either of you? Ive had these ****** feelings since I was a little girl now Im 18. Im just sick of people saying get over it and that separation anxiety disorder isn't real. Like wtf? I don't even know what to do from here.

[Evaluna]

I have this with my little girl and its crippling me at the moment. I'll be happy to talk to you any time

I've been experiencing a similar problem. Growing up, I don't think I ever truly bonded with my parents (or anyone for that matter). I did, however, experience separation anxiety when I started school as my parents never really allowed me to develop relationships with other people either so I was separated from the only people I knew how to relate to at all.

Recently, I've begun my first serious relationship and for once in my life have experienced actually bonding with someone, having someone actually care about my feelings, etc. and whenever we have to go our separate ways (we don't live together yet), I experience both emotional and physical pain. I'm also usually depressed for a while until I adjust (for lack of a better word) to being alone again. Even though we physically can't be together much during the week, he's at least fine with me texting/e-mailing him as much as I need to. But if it takes a while for him to respond, I start to worry if he's ok or not. That's not to a crippling level yet, but I'm afraid it'll get worse.

I have had issues following him around like a lost puppy and it's embarrassing for both of us. That's not as bad as it was, but still.

I feel the safest and the most in control of my anxiety when he is with me so it makes sense that I would be anxious when we have to separate because I don't feel nearly as safe.

[AgitatedMuffin]

I also have this problem. It involves my mother. I always dread being away from her, which makes going to work difficult. I'm afraid that something will happen when I'm not there, something that I could have prevented. I call her constantly when she goes somewhere and if she doesn't answer immediately my first thought is the worst. Health-wise, I'm told there is absolutely no reason to be so worried about her, but I just can't stop it.

My mother is the only person to whom I am close. I have no one else and I fear losing the only person I have in my life.

I can completely relate to this problem and am sorry that you experience it as well.

[Sikka]

I have suffered from separation anxiety since I was a child. I lived with and was pretty much raised by my nana. I was terrified of being away from her. Going to school was ok but I would often fake sick so I could stay home with her. I would cry and throw a tantrum when she went anywhere. She passed away when I was 14 and this just killed me. I was depressed and suicidal for years. It felt like my life was taken away from me.

I am now afraid of being away from my boyfriend. He came into the picture the same year my nana passed away and we have been dating since I was 16 (I am not 24). I feel he has kind of taken her place in a way. We go everywhere together, work together, we are never apart. Because of my anxiety he is unable to see his family when he wants and has no friends of his own. He is never away from me and it bothers him. He feels as like he is more a parent to me than a partner. I feel like if he is away from me something bad may happen to him or he may find someone else. I realize that this is irrational but in the moment it is very real.