Merriam's dictionary explains ANXIETY as fear of nervousness about what might happen feeling of wanting to do something very much.
SEPARATING means: To cause two or more people or things to stop being together, joined, or connected. To make people or things separate.
To be between ( two things or people.)
WHAT IS SEPARATING ANXIETY?
Separating anxiety is when you experience a very strong fear of being apart from your loved ones, it's also an emotional and physical response to the fear of being separated from someone you love.
In the aspect of relationship, separation anxiety is when you are immense, when you are distress and separate from the person you love and you are so attach to him or her, that you end up feeling abandoned.
Every individual is bound to experience separation of anxiety, even as a child who is separated from his or her mother and given to someone else, or being separated by death or illness.
However, every child who was separate from their parents ends up experiencing this anxiety when they grow up and become adults. An adult who has been diagnosed with anxiety disorder often end up experiencing separation anxiety, they experience it in their platonic relationship.
SIGNS OF SEPARATION ANXIETY IN RELATIONSHIP.
The only sign of separation anxiety you get is a feeling of extreme distress and it can vary in intensity in as much as the conflict or stress of the relationship.
Separation anxiety symptoms include the following.
1; The bad fear of abandonment.
2; The fear of injury for your partner.
3; High extreme jealousy.
4; Discomfort and distress when they leave.
5; Restlessness and irritability.
6; Difficulty in sleeping without them being by your side.
7; Lack of concentration at work.
8; wanting to know where they are at all times.
9 The feeling of stress when they leave you.
According to RAY BURN, He quotes. Separation anxiety is something that every one of us must pay attention to, if it interferes with your everyday functioning and your well-being.
HOW DOES SEPARATING ANXIETY AFFECT RELATIONSHIP.
Normally separation anxiety has a negative impact on relationships, reason because it places a whole lot of stress on the individual to consistently be around and then comfort the person experiencing the separating anxiety.
it's very challenging to establish emotional intimacy because the fear of the person and the anxieties can become the primary focus of the relationship.
Don't be misled that relationship anxiety is only bound to occur for adults in a relationship, It happens to both old and young, there are thousands and millions of relationship in which Separating anxiety occur.
WHAT CAUSES SEPARATING ANXIETY IN A RELATIONSHIP.
The cause of separation anxiety is divided into various categories since it's a type of anxiety disorder where hereditary factors play a more significant role in its development.
The only reason a person may end up struggling with Separation anxiety in any relationship be it a romantic one or not, is if they were given inconsistent attachment when growing up, that's why I said earlier that hereditary factors play a more significant role in its development.
Other causes can include genetic factors or traumatic factor events where they felt that they may lose someone they loved, however, genetic factors are not a sure guarantee that anyone will suffer from these issues, but that doesn't mean no one cannot be a victim of separating anxiety.
The three main factors that cause separation of anxiety include. (Genetic hereditary, environmental factors.) Environmental factors play whole lots of significant role in Separation anxiety, the most common separation anxiety factor in environmental factors include.
I. Childhood neglect.
ii. Trauma.
iii. Maladaptive family functioning.
iv. codependency in a romantic relationship putting your partner's needs above yours.
SOME CAUSES OF SEPARATION ANXIETY.
1; Family Dynamics: In a family where there is a lack of communication and instability often ends up leading to Separation anxiety.
2; Traumatic event: Anybody who happens to experience a traumatic event when they are left alone, feels unsafe being alone, so in cases like this it's best to be around them so that they don't live in fear that they will die alone.
3: Anxiety disorder: Sometimes with an anxiety disorder they often feel unsafe when there is a triggering situation.
4:: Genetic factors: The High risk of genetic factors increase the level of anxiety in individual experience, Anyone who has anxiety feels secure being around some specific person reason because they feel safe and secure, but when they are not around these sets of persons to them they feel their world is in danger which can end up causing separation anxiety.
HOW TO DEAL WITH SEPARATING ANXIETY.
1; Practice mindfulness.
2; Keep active.
3, Reduce stress.
4, Seek medical help
5, Be open to communication.
6, know the separation is just temporary.
7, Discuss the care plan with your partner.
8, Journaling.
9, Focus your mind on other important relationships in your life.
10, Recognise the signs.
Here are some tips on how to cope with Separating anxiety in a relationship, it's very important to learn coping skills that will help you in the reduction of anxiety, there are several types of coping skills so take your time out to explore which one is best for you, developing your own independence can help separation anxiety and then help cultivate a healthier relationship standard between yourself and your loved ones.
1; PRACTICE THE ACT OF MINDFULNESS.
The act of practicing mindfulness for anxiety is beneficial not only to your mental health but to your relationship as well. Take your time out to practice mindfulness regularly, when you are not feeling overwhelmed it will help you when you are feeling distressed.
2: TRY JOURNALING.
Every one of our thoughts and worries with others can become very overwhelming most times. journaling helps you better your thoughts and better your emotions, it gives you an outlet on how to express anxiety and fear and then helps you in challenging your thoughts.
Whether you journal, weekly or daily or you are far away from your partner, and in a way, you are feeling anxious, try journaling by putting your pen to paper and writing down, you find out you free yourself from panicking.
3; SHARE OUT YOUR FEELINGS.
Know the act of communication in a relationship and how to build trust in it, the best tool that helps to cope with Separation anxiety is communication. Taking out time to share and relate your feelings is very very crucial, we all know that being vulnerable and being honest with your partner is easier said than done, but the good side of it is that it will bring you more closer and give you ultimately benefit in your relationship.
4: RECOGNISE THE SIGNS.
Do you see or notice yourself becoming upset all the time? When separating from your loved one? Catching all signs will help you prevent any symptoms from worsening and impacting you in a more negative way.
5, AGREE ON A COMMUNICATION PLAN.
Come up with a strategy on how to cope with these feelings with your partner in a distance relationship or if your partner travels over to a long distance make plans on how you both can communicate, by so doing you won't feel any heartbreak that your partner is far away from you, communication will bring you both closer no matter the distance. Distance is never a barrier in any relationship.
6; TRY MEDITATION.
Spending time on meditation is another best way for you to navigate the feelings of anxiety that would be related to Separation anxiety. Meditation helps you with the feeling that you are well grounded and also helps you prepare your mind and maintain a state of calmness and ease.
7: HAVE A HEALTHY DISTRACTION.
Healthy DISTRACTION is the best way to cope with Separation anxiety, doing a lot of things that bring you joy,( spending quality time with your loved ones and family and trying out new hobbies by so doing you are maintaining your mental health.
8; SEEK THE HELP OF A THERAPIST.
If your anxiety becomes unbearable and it's now affecting your relationship, consider reaching out to a therapist for help and counseling, reason because there are things you can't do on your own else the help of therapy.