when someone wants to connect on a deeper level, the person with intimacy issues may even want it too, but the fear of possible hurt is stronger. instead of wanting to relate and move closer, there’s a feeling of shame. if someone grew up believing it was emotionally dangerous to share their needs and feelings, the experience of allowing oneself to be known can feel like anathema. gomez does note that it’s always ok for people to want to take …

it causes serious pain and affects the majority of americans — and not just women or loved ones of addicts, as many people believe. instead of meeting their own needs, they meet the needs of others, and instead of responding to their own thoughts and feelings, they react to those of others. they argue that relationships are nurturing and that we’re naturally meant to be dependent. the point is that codependent relationships are not only painful, but can be unsupportive …

behind a fear of intimacy is a fear of facing up to yourself and what you perceive (erroneously) as your weaknesses. are you so used to hiding the parts of yourself that you don’t like that you mould yourself to be what you think others want? there are ways to learn how to connect, if you are willing to put in the time and effort into what can be quite a learning curve. but the good news is that admitting …

he won’t stop texting when you are out with your friends and needs constant affirmation to assure him of your feelings. there are three primary attachment styles: avoidant: those with an avoidant attachment style subconsciously suppress their attachment system and have a tendency to push people away when someone gets too close. they fear rejection and abandonment, do not feel safe, and have a hard time trusting their partner. you just have to understand that their wiring is different from …

here is how a narcissist handles a remarriage. narcissists usually get remarried as a way to improve their image and supplement their sense of self worth. this is what you need to know when you marry a divorced narcissist — narcissist use marriage and relationships as a way of obtaining status and prestige in their community. so, a narcissist will remarry to increase their access to the type of emotional “supply” that they need from other people. being a husband …