Can't deal with attachment anxiety

Posted , 3 users are following.

My boyfriend broke up with me three months ago because he was suffering from depression and didn't feel he was able to be in a relationship. We had been very happy so it was a difficult sudden blow. I told him I would be there for him but avoided contacting him for a month, to give him space. I realised his depression was not helped by my constant need for contact with him, and I used the time to explore why I felt such deep attachment, and why I couldn't handle the break up very well. After a month I felt clearer and ready to form a friendship and I got in touch. We've met up a few times since then, as friends, and he said he really values me as an ally. He clearly cares about me, and I still care about him, but he's going away travelling for 4 months to figure himself out. So I know I just have to be a friend right now. When we're together we're very close, and we both obviously enjoy being together, as friends if nothing more, but when we part ways I have a panic attack. I am short of breath, want to cry, want to be near him again, and cannot work out why I like this. I'm a reasonable and independent person, I don't feel jealous or suspicious of him but this clearly looks like attachment anxiety. We're meeting up one more time before he goes travelling and I just don't know how I will handle that ensuing panic attack. That one is going to be huge. It's taken weeks to get referred to a therapist via my GP so that won't happen until the new year, once he's gone. I don't want to push this man away by revealing any of my symptoms so am just trying to ride out the feelings alone. How can I get over this?

0 likes, 6 replies

6 Replies

  • Posted

    Is it the fact you worried of being alone ?
    • Posted

      I do feel lonely sometimes but before this boyfriend I was single and independent and perfectly happy being alone. The issues here are more about my attachment anxiety, and how to overcome the panic attacks and obsession when I am not with him. These are new experiences for me and it makes my life difficult. I don't want to eliminate the relationship with this person: just my anxieties.
    • Posted

      CBT would try to address the reason you feel this way and help you thru
  • Posted

    Hi, try not to worry or feel too bad.... it sounds to me that you are in love with this man and afraid to lose.... love can be a rollercoaster of emotions. .. joy, contentment, feeling whole as a person and most importantly itis putting their needs first, you are obviously doing this, which is great..maybe while he is away he might come to realise just how much you do. Mean to him.... depression can make us do sometimes funny things, so when you say goodbye, hug him tightly, tell him that you care for him a. Great deal, and you will still be there when he returns.... I truly hope that this has a happy ending for you, you must care for his welfare very. Much ( he is a very lucky young man ) take care, I hope you will have a. Very happy and carefree life..xxx

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