Dear sarahk:

I don’t have the answers to all your questions except for one: “Am I experiencing the normal stage of a relationship?” No.

Anxiety predates your relationship and runs through it. Life for you outside of a relationship is less stressful, so no wonder part of you is trying to motivate you to end this relationship: the relief of anxiety is very tempting, isn’t it?

Psychotherapy with a competent, empathetic therapist is necessary for you, I believe. The origin of your anxiety needs to be looked into. The origin, likely in your relationship with your parent/s.

What do you think?

anita