Is it possible for an adult to have "separation anxiety"?

Question

My friend has been seeing a woman who told him she has "separation anxiety, " as diagnosed by her psychologist, who specializes in relationships. Is this just a ploy to keep a sensitive, caring man from leaving her? (She has a sad history of breakups initiated by the men, not by her.)
She's highly educated, has a job that takes her all over the world, and is away from her children (15 and 13) for months at a time. She's also strong-willed, has very firm opinions, and has been advised by her psychologist to be more "pliable" and less insistent on her own way in relationships. Is it possible that a person like this truly does suffer from "separation anxiety?"

Answer 1

Yes, adults can get this. Here are different sites that confirm this.

1. Separation anxiety disorder (or simply separation anxiety) is a psychological condition in which an individual has excessive anxiety regarding separation from home or from people to whom the individual has a strong emotional attachment (like a mother). Separation anxiety is often characterized by some of the following symptoms:

Recurring distress when separated from the subject of attachment (such as the mother or home)
Persistent, excessive worrying about losing the subject of attachment
Persistent, excessive worrying that some event will lead to separation from a major attachment
Excessive fear about being alone without subject of attachment
Persistent reluctance or refusal to go to sleep without being near a major attachment figure, like a mother
Recurrent nightmares about separation
Often, separation anxiety is a symptom of a co-morbid condition. Studies show that children suffering from separation anxiety are much more likely to have ADHD, bipolar disorder, panic disorder, and others later in life.

2. Adult separation anxiety disorder is not the same thing as generalized anxiety disorder. In reality, adult separation anxiety is much less common than childhood separation anxiety and usually only manifests itself as a symptom of a bigger issue. Adults may suffer with separation anxiety disorder when dealing with a marital separation, or even death. Occasionally, a parent may struggle with separation anxiety as a child becomes more socialized and less dependant upon mom or dad for companionship. Adult separation anxiety disorder can also occur as a symptom of a developing form of another kind of anxiety often associated with certain types of phobias.

Generalized anxiety disorder does not confine itself to fear or worry associated with being separated from a loved one or from a familiar environment. Instead, it is a pervasive, ongoing feeling of anxiety and/or worry that may impact relationships, health and well-being, and the workplace. Individuals who suffer with generalized anxiety disorder frequently feel a sense of impending doom that may not be associated with anything specific. If symptoms of anxiety occur over a protracted period of time, panic attacks may also occur. Although there is no research to specifically link separation anxiety to generalized anxiety disorder, some adults who suffer with separation anxiety disorder may be predisposed to develop another form of anxiety later in life.

Answer 2

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Answer 3

Sounds like the issue is her need to control. She may indeed have separation anxiety if she is abandoned and can no longer control the person or situation.

Answer 4

I would have to answer that yes because you have the people who have to have someone in there life at all times and the people that ther girl or boy friends cell and home phone is blowin up when they are out of eye sight