Many people find that they experience difficulty in maintaining healthy, long-lasting romantic relationships. They may not know that they have an intimacy disorder related to both emotional and sexual issues. It can help to understand that there is a name for what is going on. This isn’t a personal failure on one’s part when it comes to enjoying successful, fulfilling relationships. Seeking treatment for an intimacy disorder as an individual and as part of couples therapy can help break this pattern. Attachment trauma experienced in the past may be the catalyst for the condition, making therapy an essential part of the healing process.
Signs of Having an Intimacy Disorder
Plenty of people have relationships that seem disastrous at times or don’t end well. Still, this diagnosis is about marking a consistent pattern that points to something more serious. A person with an intimacy disorder has trouble establishing and maintaining healthy relationships with appropriate levels of intimacy. They often engage in risky behaviors such as infidelity. They may also use electronic communications to engage in secretive sexual or romantic behavior and excessive use of pornography.
The Costs of an Intimacy Disorder
When an intimacy disorder is not addressed and treated, individuals will never experience real emotional bonding with their partners. Their thoughts will be consumed with the desire to engage in disruptive behaviors that harm their relationships. The person is likely to always feel alone, even when coupled up, and aware that they are missing out on the joy and meaning of a truly intimate emotional relationship.
It’s easy to dismiss an intimacy disorder as just a run of bad luck or not yet meeting the right person. Still, the reality is that this diagnosis means treatment is needed. Intimacy disorders involve a person feeling frightened or incapable of experiencing real intimacy with a romantic partner. The root cause may be due to attachment trauma that happened in the past. Behaviors that point to an intimacy disorder include repeated infidelity, excessive pornography usage, and turning to people outside the relationship in inappropriate ways. Valiant Living offers professional treatment for an intimacy disorder that includes individual and couples counseling, marriage intensives, and affair recovery. We offer both partners the chance to discuss their feelings and make decisions about how to move forward. Valiant Living also treats addiction and mental health issues. Call our Denver area center today at (303) 952-5035 to find out how we can help you overcome your intimacy disorder!
