Philophobia: understand the irrational fear of falling in love with someone

For some people, love is synonymous with happiness and one of the most beautiful things in life. But for others, just the thought of it is reason to be terrified. It’s called Philophobia, the fear of love or emotionally connecting with someone.

The problem can – and should – be addressed. Otherwise, it can significantly affect life, as it causes constant apprehension and fear, interfering even in simple everyday moments.

main symptoms

The symptoms of philophobia vary for each person. They can be emotional or physical reactions. Among the most common are rapid heartbeat, feelings of intense fear or panic, excessive sweating, difficulty breathing, and even nausea.

Many people confuse philophobia with social anxiety disorder. They are different things, although they can exist together. The disorder causes extreme fear in social situations, but spans multiple contexts, while philophobia is more linked to falling in love.

According to scholars, it is more common to happen to people who have been through trauma before – whether in relationships or even childhood abandonment. This generates the fear that situations will repeat themselves. It can also be something related to genetics or even develop due to changes in the functioning of the brain. But the more you avoid it, the more that fear grows.

diagnosis and treatment

Hardly a doctor will give an official diagnosis of philophobia. But if fear is something that paralyzes you or that is doing you harm, it is important to seek psychological help. Symptoms will be evaluated, as well as personal and social history.

Treatment options are: therapy (to identify and change negative thoughts, beliefs and reactions to the source of the phobia), medication (antidepressants or anxiolytics in combination with therapy), lifestyle changes (exercise, relaxation techniques, etc.) , or a combination of all of these.

If left untreated, philophobia can increase the risk of complications, including social isolation, depression and anxiety disorders, drug and alcohol abuse and, in more serious cases, even lead to suicide. Therefore, seeking help as soon as possible is essential.