Wanting love and fearing closeness can exist at the same time, and that contradiction is exactly what makes intimacy issues so confusing. You might genuinely crave a steady relationship, yet feel ...

Most people want love. But what many of us don’t realize is that, deep down, we may also be terrified of it. The fear of intimacy can creep into our relationships in ways we don’t even notice—it can ...

The “ick” might feel like a simple turn-off, but could there be a deeper issue at play? Here are two signs it might be rooted in a fear of intimacy. You know that feeling when everything seems fine ...

Here’s why emotional maturity, insight, self-control and communication skills can sometimes mask a deeper fear of closeness. Emotional maturity is often seen as the gold standard of psychological ...

They actively avoid situations where they might end up falling for someone. As amazing as falling in love can be, for some men it can feel more like a trap. It takes a lot of vulnerability and ...

Avoidants — those who avoid self-reflection, who may lack self-awareness, are afraid of conflict and intimacy. I’ve been in several relationships with emotionally withdrawn women. This isn’t a gender ...