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What Does Adult Separation Anxiety Look Like?

Separation Anxiety is known as one of the most common mental health problems that affects young kids. Separation Anxiety is characterized by the following symptoms: 

  • Refusal to sleep alone Refusal to go to school 
  • Reluctance to be alone 
  • Clinginess 
  • Worry or fear about being away from family

Despite separation anxiety is considered a juvenile mental health issue, many adults are impacted by it as well.

Adult Separation Anxiety

Separation anxiety in adulthood is linked to our attachment, which we formed in childhood. Adults who have an anxious attachment style may experience symptoms of separation anxiety. These symptoms can include things like 

  • Refusal or reluctance to be alone 
  • Refusal or reluctance to be away from loved ones or places where attachments are formed
  • Difficulty sleeping away from loved ones, 
  • Anxiety or depression linked to being alone or away from loved ones

Separation anxiety in adulthood is linked to our attachment, which we formed in childhood. Adults who have an anxious attachment style may experience symptoms of separation anxiety. These symptoms can include things like Refusal or reluctance to be alone, Refusal or reluctance to be away from loved ones or places where attachments are formed, Difficulty sleeping away from loved ones, Anxiety or depression linked to being alone or away from loved ones.

Causes Of Separation Anxiety in Adulthood

Separation anxiety in adulthood can be linked to a variety of mental health issues including: 

  • Catastrophizing and other cognitive distortions 
  • Low self-esteem Experiences of trauma 
  • Experiences of neglect or abandonment 
  • Anxious 
  • Attachment styles 
  • Social Anxiety 
  • Generalized Anxiety 
  • Depression 
  • Panic Disorder 
  • PTSD 
  • Some personality disorders

Impacts of Adult Separation Anxiety

In addition to increased anxiety and depression, adult separation anxiety can impact us in a variety of ways: 

  • Co-dependency in relationships 
  • Clinginess in relationships 
  • Loss of self-identity in relationships 
  • Relational distress 
  • Other relationships (e.g., friendships) feel neglected 
  • Work and responsibilities become neglected

Find the Best Therapist in Chicago for Adult Separation Anxiety

Treatment for adult separation anxiety may look similar to other forms of treatments for anxiety:

  • CBT to challenge unhelpful thoughts and cognitive distortions 
  • Couples therapy to work through co-dependency and relational problems
  • Journaling and self-reflection to understand attachment 
  • Psychodynamic therapy to uncover and understand the roots of attachment
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Find a Specialist

At Roamers Therapy, our psychotherapists are here to support you through anxiety, depression, trauma, and relationship issues, race-ethnicity issues, LGBTQIA+ issues, ADHD, Autism, or any challenges you encounter. Our psychotherapists are trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Psychodynamic Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Person-Centered Therapy, and Gottman Therapy. 

Whether you’re seeking guidance on a specific issue or need help navigating difficult emotions, we’re ready to assist you every step of the way.

Contact us today to learn more about our services and schedule a session with our mental health professionals to begin your healing journey. To get started with therapy, you can fill out our inquiry form. You may use this form whether you plan to use insurance benefits, self-pay, or out-of-network benefits, and to receive details about your out-of-pocket costs and our therapists’ availability. Once your appointment is confirmed, you’ll receive intake documents to complete before your first session.

This page is also part of the Roamers Therapy Glossary; a collection of mental-health-related definitions that are written by our therapists.

While our offices are currently located at the South Loop neighborhood of Downtown Chicago and Lakeview on Chicago’s North Side, Illinois, we also welcome and serve clients for online therapy from anywhere in Illinois and Washington, D.C. Clients from the Chicagoland area may choose in-office or online therapy and usually commute from surrounding areas such as River North, West Loop, Gold Coast, Old Town, Lincoln Park, Rogers Park, Logan Square, Pilsen, Bridgeport, Little Village, Bronzeville, South Shore, Hyde Park, Back of the Yards, Wicker Park, Bucktown and many more. You can visit our contact page to access detailed information on our office location.