Candy6. Hello and welcome. That empty nest feeling is sooo bleak isn’t it? What struck me about your post is that if you had not told us how lost you are feeling but simply that after 15 years of chronic ill health, your son was now up to leaving home and living independently, we would all be congratulating you on supporting and caring for him to this stage. You deserve congratulations. However I wonder if you thought this day would not come because he was so ill and therefore did not prepare yourself for him going, perhaps as a way of preparing yourself to permanently look after him. Now that he has recovered so well, however, are you fearful of some kind of a relapse, afraid he will not look after himself, take medication, eat well or something else? You are going to feel better sooner rather than later because you have taken that important step of recognising that there is a problem and seeking out a solution. I have an adult child with a chronic condition and can understand some of what you feel. He has a wonderful partner and he is very good at looking after himself now but there was a period when he left home and had to learn to do that. It was very worrying. Also because of this I had spent a lot of energy being alert to any health issues and initially could not relax for wondering how he was doing. Might you be feeling like this? I am sure you know all the standard suggestions of getting outside every day, doing something for yourself that you either haven't had the opportunity or even given thought to. Now is the time to see the gp, borrow a dog to go for a walk every day, swim, take up Pilates, go away for a weekend on a retreat, take up an art class, build new routines. I had to have CBT and it was very helpful as I was able to talk about my fears for my adult child in a way I couldn’t to anyone else. She also taught me relaxation techniques to use after the course finished and encouraged me to take up old and new hobbies. I just wanted to reiterate ideas that I am sure you have already been given but to reassure you that some of them do work. It is difficult to do when you are low so first stop the doctor. Well done for sending your son off to an independent life. Come back and speak to us for support as there are a lot of people here who will give you sound ideas and respond to your questions. I wish you well.