What is fear of intimacy?
Being close to someone means sharing an emotional and physical connection with them. When you fear intimacy, you tend to be too cold towards people and this can have a negative impact on your relationships. People with a fear of intimacy often have difficulty connecting socially. In addition, people with this fear may not even realize that they are intentionally avoiding intimacy with others.
What are the symptoms of fear of intimacy?
According to Healthshots, below are some signs of people with fear of intimacy:
You always feel skeptical about other people
Always avoid physical contact
Difficulty in forming lasting relationships
Unable to share or express emotions
Having difficulty satisfying your sexual desires
Living in social isolation
You always think you are not approachable or lovable
You have difficulty expressing your needs and wants
If you find yourself exhibiting any of these signs, you may be suffering from a fear of intimacy and need to address this issue to live a happier life.
Causes of fear of intimacy
According to Healthshots, this fear can be the result of many causes including past experiences. Here are some common causes of fear of intimacy:
Fear of rejection: Fear of intimacy can stem from fear of rejection. Perhaps you have been rejected many times in the past and are afraid of getting close to others, this reaction is because you want to maintain your self-esteem and avoid being hurt.
Intimacy anxiety disorder: Also known as avoidant personality disorder, it is characterized by a fear of rejection.
Past Fears: Bad experiences in a person's past such as physical, emotional, or sexual abuse can create deep fear and anxiety when someone gets too intimate with you. Betrayal, infidelity, or heartbreak can create deep fears that hinder future intimate relationships.
Attachment issues: Breakups in past relationships can lead to difficulty forming close relationships as you grow older.
