I have a pathological fear of being on my own. When I'm with my own thoughts I start to unravel myself and I start to think really dark thoughts self-destructive thoughts.
We busted a lot of family secrets with this. But to make a long story short my parents relationship was built heavily on security issues for my Mom and when my Dad couldn't provide security the relationship unraveled.
When you live in an alcoholic family or an abusive family you tiptoe you don't want to step on any mines.