Fear of abandonment
Fear of abandonment is the overwhelming worry that people close to you will leave. Anyone can develop a fear of abandonment. It can be deeply rooted in a traumatic experience you had as a child or a distressing relationship in adulthood. (Pietrangelo, A., February 13, 2019)
In relationships, people with a fear of abandonment tend to:
a) Attach quickly—even to unavailable partners or relationships;
b) Fail to commit fully and have had very few long-term relationships;
c) Move on quickly just to ensure that you don't get too attached;
d) Aim to please and engage in people-pleasing behaviors. (Fritscher, L., July 01, 2024).
When struggling with the fear of abandonment, many individuals find themselves saying things to a partner out of fear that they may later regret. Try practicing “I statements” to help communicate your feelings and needs with others. This could sound like, “I feel worried when you take more than 30 minutes to respond to my text because I am scared you might abandon me.” This gives your partner a chance to understand and support you.(Patterson, K., March 4, 2024)
Pietrangelo, A., (February 13, 2019). Healthline. What Is Fear of Abandonment, and Can It Be Treated? Retrieved from https://salo.li/aD8CB25
Fritscher, L., (July 01, 2024).Verywell mind. Understanding Fear of Abandonment Plus, helpful tips for dealing with abandonment issues. Retrieved from https://salo.li/bf4B6e9
Patterson, K., (March 4, 2024). Choosing therapy. Fear of Abandonment: Why It Happens & How to Overcome. Retrieved from https://salo.li/708421B