In personal relationships, intimacy is a bond that exists between people.

It might be a combination of physical and emotional closeness.

To be intimate with someone means to have strong emotional or physical bonds with them. If you are afraid of intimacy, you are afraid of being too close to others.

Intimate relationships can be divided into four types:

1.) Experiential
Share common activities, hobbies, or experiences that bring you together.

2.) Intellectual
Exchange of ideas or deep, meaningful discussions.

3.) Emotional
Share inner feelings or form a deeper connection.

4.) Sexual 
Close sensual relationship.


Someone who is afraid of intimacy may:

• Having low self-esteem

• Having trust issues or/and avoiding physical contact

• Having trouble forming or committing to close relationships

• All the while being in unstable relationships

• Unable to share feelings or express emotion

• Problems with sexual desire

• Live in self-imposed social isolation


Past events such as childhood trauma, abuse, or sexual assault might lead to a fear of intimacy.

It is a defence mechanism. Because you don't want to be hurt, you don't allow yourself to become weak or have a problem trusting others.

Note:
Symptoms of fear of intimacy linked to childhood sexual abuse may include:

• Inhibited sexual desire, difficulty becoming aroused

• seeing sex as a duty

• Feelings of anger, disgust, or guilt when touched

• Emotional distance during sex

• Problematic sexual behaviours or sexual addiction

• Physical problems such as erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation, dyspareunia, anorgasmia, etc.

Fear of intimacy can have a significant impact on your life, especially when it comes to your relationship with your partner. Anxiety disorders have been shown in studies to have a negative impact on the quality of a partner connection.

This may lead to feelings being suppressed or barriers to emotional or sexual affection being erected. If your partner is unaware of or doesn't understand what's going on, they may feel unwanted and unloved.

Other effects are:

• Social isolation

• Having a lot of short-term relationships

• Sabotaging relationships by being difficult and extremely significant

• Always stay as a victim in a relationship or over-attached with a broken relationship

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It's difficult to deal with this on your own, especially when you're lonely and empty.

 

It is time to take a step to overcome it!

 

Contact us once you are ready.

 

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