Ask Julie: Can Adults Have Separation Anxiety?

Q: I’m 18, and I’ve been slightly dealing with Separation Anxiety throughout my childhood, I’ve never been to a psychologist or therapist for it to know that it officially is the disorder, but whomever I get close to, I get upset and have a fear of being alone, if they die or if I die, or if they leave and forget all about, etc. I’ve been in a relationship with my girlfriend for about 5 months now, and I fear that my childhood Separation Anxiety has turned into Adult Separation Anxiety Disorder, because, recently, for weeks on end, every single night, as if on cue, I get overly-upset and cry, and have wandering thoughts of loneliness and death surge through my head. And, last night, I made myself sick because of it and ended up vomiting and was shaking uncontrollably, and I was dizzy and had a terrible headache. And it’s always because I miss all of my close friends and my girlfriend and have a fear that she will leave me or she will die, and leave me all alone in this world, and she will be moving soon, and I fear that I won’t know how to cope enough and will have worse anxiety attacks. Could you help, please? I’m in desperate need of some advice on this subject.A: Click on the arrow below to hear my response…[powerpress]Podcast: Play in new windowHere are a few additional anxiety resources on Psych Central:Find a Therapist HereInformation on Psychotherapy for Anxiety DisordersPsych Central Community Forum for Anxiety, Panic, & PhobiaTake good care of yourself!Julie Hanks, LCSWOriginally appeared in my PsychCentral.com column photo credit: spaceodissey