Have you ever really wanted a romantic relationship and maybe even felt like you’re ready for one until its literally in arms reach? Until you see “will you be my girlfriend/boyfriend written in chocolate on a plate and then you freak out? Okay, maybe that’s to specific but you get the point.. If you’ve experienced this or something similar you might suffer from the fear of intimacy.
Fear of intimacy can be defined as the deep-rooted fear of getting emotionally and maybe even physically connected to a person. Around 17% of the world’s population suffer from this fear so you are not alone.
What you need to know
It is important to note that fear of intimacy is not something someone chooses. So, if you suffer from it, try not to blame yourself. Fear of intimacy is imbedded from childhood, and is normally a biological response to way in which someone was parented.
Signs of fear of intimacy
- You’re a serial dater
You go on dates and sometimes enjoy the person’s company but as soon as it gets serious you find an excuse to not see or speak to the person again and you repeat this behavior constantly.
- You sabotage your relationships
Getting close to someone makes you feel uncomfortable, so you try to distance yourself. You might also over-criticize your partner and nag about small things or create problems in the relationship. Read more about self sabotage in romantic relationships here.
- Fear being abandoned
You might avoid any kind of relationship because you have a deep-rooted fear of being abandoned. This might stem from past traumas such as a parent or previous partner that abandoned you.
- You struggle to talk about your feelings
A lot of people struggle to openly and honestly communicate their feelings but this act can be a lot more difficult if you suffer from the fear of intimacy.
Comments