My biggest obstacles have been becoming independent and separating from my parents and twin brother. It seems the closer I get to my educational goals and taking on life, the "wall" of fear peaks its ugly head. I couldn't go back to school and move out on my own without going through the program. But the symptoms always come back when I take on this responsibility of true independence. Any words of wisdom out there?

You just keep moving forward and each time you tackle your fears one by one, you become stronger and more secure in yourself. You just need to work through your fears as they come.
Don't expect anxiety to be gone with one life experience...expect anxiety at every turn of life and put your skills into place each time and you will grow stronger and stronger as you move ahead.

I know how you are feeling. I have been feeling more anxious lately when I go to work. I don't know exactly why but I feel like I am more stressed and anxious than ever before. I've always lived with my parents and have never left them. So it's hard to even think that I am going to move out next year because I will be getting married in May. It could be all these changes that I'm anticipating that's causing me to feel anxious. But shouldn't I feel more confident and less anxious by now?

foodie,
you have many changes taking place over the next year. It's normal to feel a apprehension. Getting married and moving away from home are all big changes. Should you feel more anxious and more confident by now? Not necessarily.
Because your fears are based on future events that haven't happened yet, you are still experiencing anticipatory anxiety. You are anticipating change and you are uncertain and fearful of these changes. So...until you actually get married and move out of your parents house and get used to the new changes... you will probably still feel a little apprehension. What do you say to yourself when you think about the future? Do you constantly tell yourself how afraid you are? Do you constantly think "what will I do without my parents and the comfort of home?" If so, then your self-talk needs to change. Instead you need to say things to yourself that encourage you and make you feel better about upcoming changes. Yes it's scary, but it's also exciting!!!! Life is not something you can fail at, so why worry so much about it ? Take things day by day and give yourself permission to feel scared of your new changes and remind yourself that you won't always feel this way and that it takes time to adjust.

When I graduated from college was when my bad anxiety happened. There are many scary times in life. Expecially when you go out on your own. However, just tell youself this is a necessary step to becoming an independent adult. Tell youself everything will be fine. You will eventually adjust to this and you will cherish your independence

Thank you all for the wonderful words of wisdom and encouraging remarks. I feel so much better and secure when I hear the truth about my condition and let it in. It's a strange place to be when I know deeply where I want to go and yet feel such a strong pull to go back to the familiar. I know I need more patience and acceptance when the symptoms return. Thanks again for the reminder.
God bless,
jgooo