Fears of abandonment
This feels like a deepset dread of being alone, but it can be more than just loneliness.
It may disrupt your whole identity because of the behaviour performed to avoid being alone.
Close relationships and even identity forming can be disrupted by the mood swings, outbursts of anger and self-destructive behaviour displayed when the need for closeness is not met.
Apart from not wanting to feel abandoned and alone it is also common to feel overwhelmed and taken over (engulfed).
The struggle between these two feelings can again affect relationships because you may want to be so close to someone that your demands suffocate your relationship.
New friends or lovers might be something that you seek regularly and hold high hopes of perfection for which cannot usually be met.
To overcome the fear of abandonment we have to understand how unstable our own needs are, and over time accept that there is some individuality and aloneness in healthy relationships.
Tips to help lessen the feeling of abandonment:
Use objects as things to remember people by for when they are away
Your feelings are real, so accept your anxiety and let others know how you feel
Don't self-diagnose or interpret your behaviour clinically as this could result in anger
Be prepared, don't ignore or avoid the thought of separation. If you prepare for it, this will lessen the impact
Get reassurance but compromise between your needs and other people's
See 'Sometimes I act crazy' Chapter 2