Welcome to the EmpowHER community. Thank you for seeking our help with your issue.
How long have you responded this way? Were you ever abused physically or sexually?
The severe fear of being touched is called haphephobia.
It is a rare specific phobia that involves the fear of touching or of being touched. It is an acute exaggeration of the normal tendencies to protect one's personal space, expressed as a fear of contamination or invasion, and extending even to people whom its sufferers know well.
Some people are born with haphephobia, while others may develop it, predominantly after a bad experience. More rarely, it is caused by an extreme reaction to their environment. Sometimes, the fear is restricted specifically, or predominantly, to being touched by people of the opposite or same sex. This is often associated with a fear of sexual assault.
sakthi2010, you cannot deal with this on your own. You need some type of psychological intervention, such as de-sensitizing therapy. I urge you to seek the help of a psychologist who is trained in dealing with phobias.
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Hello sakthi2010,
Welcome to the EmpowHER community. Thank you for seeking our help with your issue.
How long have you responded this way? Were you ever abused physically or sexually?
The severe fear of being touched is called haphephobia.
It is a rare specific phobia that involves the fear of touching or of being touched. It is an acute exaggeration of the normal tendencies to protect one's personal space, expressed as a fear of contamination or invasion, and extending even to people whom its sufferers know well.
Some people are born with haphephobia, while others may develop it, predominantly after a bad experience. More rarely, it is caused by an extreme reaction to their environment. Sometimes, the fear is restricted specifically, or predominantly, to being touched by people of the opposite or same sex. This is often associated with a fear of sexual assault.
sakthi2010, you cannot deal with this on your own. You need some type of psychological intervention, such as de-sensitizing therapy. I urge you to seek the help of a psychologist who is trained in dealing with phobias.
Regards,
February 8, 2016 - 9:55amMaryann
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