Adult Separation Anxiety

LegacyUser

Does any one have this? I have it very bad and have to move to a new home. I get very bad panic attacks. Am on meds for this but I get really scared not helped by arguments with family.

This is what I mean in case people are not familiar
http://panicdisorder.about.com/od/separationanxietydisorder/a/sepanxdis.htm

LadyJ

I had it when I was a child and I still have it to a certain extent these days. I probably would have gotten over it as I grew up but my mother died when I was 11 so it never went away and, in fact, probably got a lot worse.

I spend a lot of my time worrying about the death of loved ones and hate being in my house alone. Would never stay the night at home alone and don't like being away from home for too long.

Best thing to do is see a therapist. It helps you work out why this might have started and you can work on dealing with your anxiety and eventually curing yourself of this in some way.

Eviledna

I really hope that you are not only on meds but that you are seeing a councellor too. It is almost impossible to get over panic attacks and separation anxiety with meds alone, as the meds just dull the sensations but you aren't tackling the root issues that almost always return, post-meds. I know how horrible panic attacks can be, but there is methods out there and plenty of help if you seek it. I really hope that you do find someone professional to speak to, because your life will vastly improve when you do!:)

This is something that can be solved, and the two-pronged approach is the best way. The very best of luck to you.

LegacyUser

I had councelling for ages, it did not make any difference. My fear is too strong to be talked away Feel terror at though of moving but have to go

LadyJ

I know this sounds like a bit of a cop out but, with every fear I've ever had it has been the same case; you have to want to let go of your fear. If something in you is holding onto it, for whatever reason (and it probably isn't conscious) then you have no hope of getting rid of it unless you explore why you can't let go.

Try going to counselling again and don't focus so much on getting rid of your fear, try to figure out what you feel you are gaining from holding on to it. I think for me, because my anxiety was stemming from the death of a parent, by holding on to my anxiety surrounding my family, I was almost trying to prepare myself for bad or unexpected things. It's a defense mechanism. I wanted to not feel the same terror I felt when my mother died and so I was constantly getting myself into a state of panic to get ready for the things that were out of my control.

I hope this helps. It's hard to get over things like this but the key is to work out what your fear is doing for you and why you can't let go.