The term ‘gamophobia.’ is used to describe the fear of commitment. Gamophobia can also be described as a long-lasting, unmanageable fear of marriage.
It originated from the Greek word Gamos, which implies marriage, and Phobos, signifying fear.
However, various professionals acknowledge a slight discrepancy between the fear of commitment and the fear of marriage.
A person may be afraid of getting married but could remain devoted to a single partner for life.
Gamophobia isn’t just about having cold feet at the notion of marriage, but it is the dreadful fear at the thought of devoting oneself to a single partner for the rest of their life.
Such fear is similar to the fear of dying.
People who have this phobia prefer being bachelors or spinsters or remain in a serious relationship without ever getting married.
What Causes Gamophobia?
Just like any other phobia, Gamophobia is also induced by a negative experience that has occurred in the past. It devastates the person to an extent to which they learn to avoid commitments.
The person creates gloomy images or scenarios about marriage. A few factors, such as genetics, heredity, and adrenal insufficiency, can influence anxiety attacks.
Signs of Gamophobia
A person with gamophobia exhibits several emotional and psychological symptoms at the notion of marriage or commitment.
Some psychological signs include:
- The feeling of anxiety at the thought of getting married
- An affected person might go to great extents to avoid the topic
- They might experience uncontrollable tension that makes it hard for the individual to act naturally
- The person knows that such fear is absurd, but they’re powerless to control
- People who have gamophobia often experience the feeling of losing control or going crazy.
Physical signs of Gamophobia include:
- Nausea
- Trembling
- chest pain, dizziness, and fainting
- Sweating and shortness of breath
- Rapid heart rate
- Crying
How Can I Overcome Gamophobia?
Similar to many other phobias, Gamophobia can be remedied by employing various practical techniques.
The proper medication, along with the help of friends and family, can go a long way in helping the person conquer the fear of commitment.
These are some steps you can try:
- Talk therapy is the primary treatment method suggested for this phobia. The patient is urged to talk about their fears, the difficulties in getting committed, and other factors of marriage to a trusted individual in a safe space. However, you should know that this treatment method might not work for everyone.
- Hypnotherapy is another effective treatment that can assist in tracing the cores of Gamophobia to help forget unfavorable responses formed about commitment or marriage.
- Behavior therapy and systematic exposure therapy are two other useful techniques for subduing this phobia.
Individuals who are in a loving relationship but are suffering from gamophobia should learn ways to deal with it, and they can also discuss it with their partners. Phobias can get out of control if left unattended.
This can cause great suffering and discomfort for the people involved. However, there is hope, and a cheerful ending is probable in most cases.
