It is inevitable that all couples face challenges at some point. The most important factor for lasting relationship health is how couples handle challenges – not the absence of them. During the lifetime of a relationship, couples face a wide range of issues. Some of these issues include

Intimacy issues, trust-building and lacking communication skills. In this article, we will focus on the fear of intimacy that stems from a relationship unbalance.

Human connection is rooted in intimacy. Families, friends, and couples share a closeness that strengthens relationships. However, if you know someone who struggles with intimacy, you may wish things were different – and wonder what you can do to help. When people are afraid of intimacy (sometimes called intimacy phobia), they don’t mean to create distance. As much as you want connections, they experience intense anxiety from intimate encounters. Knowing why your loved one might fear intimacy may not make sense to you, but learning more about it can help you better understand them and how to help.

But what can you do to get closer to a person who fears intimacy?

A loved one’s support can help someone with intimacy phobia feel safe. Just remember that their anxiety causes them to isolate themselves. With patience and support, you can ease their anxiety. It is possible to build an emotionally safe relationship if you handle your interactions sensitively.

Here are a few strategies for developing closeness:

• Communication: Be non-confrontational when expressing your feelings and thoughts.

• Empathy: Empathy is understanding or feeling the viewpoint of another person.

• Therapy: During therapy, the goal is to identify the source of anxiety, then develop ways to cope with it. Often, intimacy issues are the result of complicated factors that take a therapist some time to figure out.

• Mindfulness: Anxiety and phobias can also be reduced with mindfulness. Mindfulness can be achieved through meditation. Meditation involves paying attention to the present moment and the input from your senses. For example, you might close your eyes and focus on your breathing.