Separation Anxiety Disorder

I have been self-diagnosed with a condition called Separation Anxiety Disorder. It is becoming more noticeable in me as the wedding and subsequent move to Illinois are quickly approaching. It at least helps me feel better to know that I'm not the only one in the world who feels the way I do :-) Separation Anxiety Disorder is described as:

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 father and mother). Present in all age groups, adult separation anxiety disorder (affecting roughly 7% of adults) is more common than childhood separation anxiety disorder (affecting approximately 4% of children). Separation anxiety disorder is often characterized by some of the following symptoms:

• Recurring, excessive distress when separated from the subject of attachment (such as significant other, the father or the mother, or home)--often beginning long before the actual separation takes place, or simply at the time of the anticipated separation
  
• Persistent, excessive worrying that some event will lead to separation from a major attachment
• Recurrent nightmares about separation
• Physical symptoms (especially frequent in adolescents and adults), such as dizziness, lightheadedness, nausea, stomachache, cramps, vomiting, muscle aches, or palpitations, may be present

Symptoms of separation anxiety disorder may be exacerbated by a change in routine, lack of adequate rest, or a move to a new home. Even if changes are positive or exciting, the change may feel uncomfortable and precipitate an anxious response.

The good news is that the anxiety I'm feeling does not stem from the prospect of getting married--it's just the prospect of moving to Illinois. I've lived away from home before, but before it has always been for a specific amount of time. There will be some good things about being in Illinois though: I'll be with Greg, I'll get to work with Linda at IHPA for a little while, and I'll get to go to Abraham Lincoln's house on his 200th birthday (I've always wanted to go to his house on his birthday--but it will be especially neat on the big 2-0-0). Oh, and I'll be close enough to Charleston that I can just drive down there when I'm ready to take my oral exams, do my internship report, and wrap up things there at EIU. So it will be okay. I wish that I could take all of my family and friends, the Utah mountains, and BYU to Illinois with me though.

Here is some great news: the BYU football team is now in the TOP 10!!!! Hoooooooray!!!