Marriage phobia or "gamophobia" is the feeling of fear of marriage and preference for celibacy. It is derived from the Greek word "gamos" meaning marriage, in contrast to "anuptaphobia" which is the fear of not having a relationship or the fear of remaining unmarried or married to the wrong person.
Marriage phobia is a psychological disorder that appears in a state of phobia that is outside the person’s control and is not based on logical reasons regarding formal unions, especially marriage. It is a common phobia that occurs among humans, especially men.
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| Gamophobia or fear of marriage |
Symptoms of marriage phobia:
The physical symptoms of gammophobia appear clearly on the affected person, especially when he feels obligated or pressured, or when the date of engagement approaches. We see him shaking, feeling nauseous and wanting to cry, his heart rate increasing noticeably and worryingly, complaining of chest pain, frequent dizziness, shortness of breath and a feeling of sweating. All of these are accompanied by constant anxiety and fear that grips the person and affects his life functions, such as sleeping and eating. Work and relationships with others. He constantly tries to avoid the topic of marriage, to avoid negative thoughts and images that arouse fear in himself, but he cannot control it.
As well as all the psychological and physical symptoms of anxiety, such as: (rapid heartbeat - suffocation in the chest - a feeling of dizziness - a feeling of numbness in the body and palpitations in the heart - a desire to urinate - intestinal colic).
Reasons for fear of marriage:
1 - The person’s inability to bear responsibility and make crucial decisions: With his fabrication of excuses to escape from obligations, such as lack of time, poor financial circumstances, or inability to bear the responsibility of having children, these arguments and excuses may not actually exist or they can be treated, but the person suffering from the phobia of marriage remains Holding on to it.
2 - Fear of sexual relations: Some girls have an intense fear that reaches the point of “terrified” of sexual intercourse with men, and the resulting pain, pregnancy, and childbirth. This fear may be due to exposure in childhood to rape or sexual harassment, or intimidation from those around them about the relationship. Nationality.
3 - Fear of cutting off communication and losing livelihood with the primary family: This type appears among girls - especially during engagement, and it increases as the marriage contract is concluded and the date of marriage approaches.
4 - Unemployment: Young people who do not find jobs that would give them what would help them plan for their future, which raises in them feelings of anxiety related to the marital future and building a family. In fact, in special psychological cases, anxiety about the marital future may develop into the phenomenon of gamophobia.
5 - Parental separation: which may create a person’s fear of marriage.
- Treatment of marriage phobia:
1 - Know the reasons for your fear: What exactly are you afraid of? Are you afraid of divorce? Are you afraid of losing your freedom? You will be more prepared to overcome your fear if you know what you are afraid of.
2- Knowing the benefits of marriage, including happiness and health.
3 - Getting rid of the negatives of the past: Cognitive behavioral therapy is one of the most effective treatments for gamophobia. Gamophobia may be related to a past disturbing memory or experience. The behavioral therapist provides advice to the person and tries to get rid of the negative thoughts that the person has about marriage.
A disgusted person tends to be driven into fear by negative and disturbing images associated with marriage, rather than by the marriage directly. The therapist conducts discussion sessions, healthy conversations, and guides to replace these negative images with positive ones.
Why must we rush to overcome this fear?
Gamophobia can destroy relationships, causing social isolation, loneliness, and an inability to establish any relationships, not just emotional ones. It can also lead to unbearable, mood swings, depression, addiction to alcohol and drugs, or sometimes it can even suggest obsessions and suicidal thoughts.