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Do wedding bells cause fear to run through your body? If this sounds like you then you may have gamophobia. This fear of commitment in personal relationships can cause all sorts of issues in those who have it, including anxiety, panic attacks, and more. It's important to know about this phobia so that you can build meaningful, lasting friendships, and relationships.
Curious if you might have gamophobia? Click through now to find out more.
A fear of commitment is the hallmark trait of someone with gamophobia. It's such an intense fear that long-term relationships can, often, be considered impossible.
“Gamos” is the Greek word for marriage. “Phobos” (phobia) means fear.
Some people who have trouble committing to long-term plans, such as selecting a study path or making a career choice, might think they have gamophobia. However, gamophobia is specifically tied to personal relationships.
If you have gamophobia, you may be unable to form lasting relationships. Additionally, you might have a lot of anxiety when in a relationship and perhaps experience constant stress about it ending.
Phobias are a common type of anxiety disorder that can cause you to experience extreme thoughts or fears about things that, in reality, aren't true or harmful.
Gamophobia is a specific phobic disorder, which means you’re afraid of a certain situation: marriage or commitment.
It's challenging to know how many people have a certain phobia because some or most might keep this fear to themselves out of a fear of judgment.
About one in 10 American adults and one in five teenagers will deal with a specific phobia disorder at some point in their lives.
One example is people who have borderline personality disorder (BPD), who might avoid commitment due to a fear of being abandoned or rejected.
If you grew up with a parent or loved one who had a phobia or anxiety disorder, it may have led you to develop the same or similar fears.
Studies show that females tend to have specific phobias more than males.
Early research suggests that certain people have a gene mutation that increases the risk of developing anxiety and phobic disorders.
Many people have multiple phobias. Usually, they are all related. For example, if you have a fear of commitment you may also have Philophobia, a fear of love, or Pistanthrophobia, which is a fear of trusting others or being hurt by someone you love.
Traumatic experiences can be the root cause of your gamophobia or fear of commitment. Gamophobia is considered a protective response.
Children who see their parents experience divorce, or who grow up in the context of negative relationships, may grow up fearful of making a commitment that leads to the same conflicts.
Throughout their lives, adults are likely to experience heartbreak from either a breakup, divorce, infidelity or otherwise, and it can cause them to shy away from loving again.
Some may worry about committing to the wrong person and not being available when the right partner comes along.
In different cultures, marriages can sometimes be arranged. In these contexts, people may be hesitant to fully commit to a relationship, as they may feel like they lack agency.
While there isn't a specific test to evaluate gamophobia, your doctor or medical provider will ask about symptoms, mental health history, and whether you have other phobias.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a type of psychotherapy that helps many people overcome their phobias.
There is also systemic desensitization therapy which can help expose you to the thing that scares you and hopefully aid in overcoming it.
You can use relaxation techniques like deep breathing, meditation, and more to help calm your symptoms.
Gamophobia can actually lead to depression, anxiety, panic disorder, and even substance abuse disorders.
You should seek a medical professional's opinion if your anxiety becomes persistent or interferes with daily life or sleeping.
When you speak to your doctor or medical professional, you could iinquire about the phobia itself, therapy options, as well as other signs or complications one should be aware of.
Many people have doubts, something known as 'cold feet,' when entering into a committed relationship. But for people with gamophobia, the fear can be paralyzing. It can keep you from moving forward in a relationship or establishing intimate bonds with others.
Understanding and addressing the underlying causes of gamophobia can help individuals develop healthier attitudes toward commitment.
It’s important to distinguish between reasonable concerns and an overwhelming fear of commitment. Learning to balance expectations can lead to healthier relationships.
Sources: (Cleveland Health Clinic)
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Do wedding bells cause fear to run through your body? If this sounds like you then you may have gamophobia. This fear of commitment in personal relationships can cause all sorts of issues in those who have it, including anxiety, panic attacks, and more. It's important to know about this phobia so that you can build meaningful, lasting friendships, and relationships.
Curious if you might have gamophobia? Click through now to find out more.