What is “intimacy avoidance”?

Fear of intimacy may be obvious, but it can be misinterpreted as anger, indifference, or coldness. Someone who fears intimacy may:

  • have low self-esteem
  • have trust issues
  • experience episodes of anger
  • actively avoid physical contact
  • have trouble forming or committing to close relationships
  • have a history of unstable relationships
  • be unable to share feelings or express emotion
  • have insatiable sexual desire
  • live in self-imposed social isolation