Philophobia Is The Fear Of Falling In Love And May Be Traced Back To Childhood Trauma, Often Causing People To Avoid Relationships Altogether Out Of Intense Anxiety
Philophobia is the fear of falling in love or becoming emotionally connected with other people. Those with this fear often avoid relationships altogether because it just feels terrifying to them.
It’s normal to feel a little apprehensive when navigating the world of romance, but people with philophobia feel panicked and overwhelmed to the point that it interferes with their lives.
People with philophobia may also have social anxiety disorder, which causes intense fear in social situations. Additionally, philophobia shares some similarities with dis-inhibited social engagement disorder (DSED). It is an attachment disorder in children under 18 and makes it difficult for them to form deep emotional connections.
Symptoms
Common physical symptoms of philophobia include feelings of extreme fear or panic, avoidance, rapid heartbeat, sweating, nausea, and difficulty breathing and functioning. These symptoms may arise even when a person is just thinking about falling in love.
Emotional responses might look like being unable to have close relationships, experiencing severe anxiety when in a relationship and excessively worrying about it ending, pushing people away, and suddenly ending relationships. People suffering from philophobia may be aware the fear is irrational but are still unable to get it under control.
Causes
Philophobia, or most phobias in general, can usually be traced back to negative childhood experiences and past traumatic events. Philophobia may come about as a way of protecting oneself from getting a broken heart.
“The fear is that the pain will repeat, and the risk is not worth that chance,” said Scott Dehorty, a licensed clinical social worker and executive director at Maryland House Detox, Delphi Behavioral Health Group.
Viacheslav Yakobchuk – stock.adobe.com – illustrative purposes only, not the actual person
“If someone was deeply hurt or abandoned as a child, they may be averse to becoming close to someone who may do the same. The fear reaction is to avoid relations, thus avoiding the pain. The more one avoids the source of their fear, the more the fear increases.”
Potential causes of philophobia include experiencing previous difficult relationships, fear of rejection/abandonment, and cultural/religious pressures.
Children who were exposed to their parents’ tumultuous relationship and messy divorce or endured abuse and abandonment may find it difficult to feel love for others. Adults who experience infidelity, divorce, abuse, or abandonment may feel the same.
Treatment
Treatment options for philophobia include therapy, medication, and certain lifestyle changes. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), in particular, can help people with philophobia cope with or overcome their fear. It involves identifying and changing thoughts, beliefs, and reactions related to the phobia. Gradually being exposed to the idea of falling in love can reduce the fear as well.
In some cases, a doctor can prescribe antidepressants or anti-anxiety medications to use in combination with therapy. Remedies such as exercise, mindfulness strategies, and relaxation techniques may also be recommended.
Sign up for Chip Chick’s newsletter and get stories like this delivered to your inbox.
More About:News