Dating commitment issues

16 Signs You're Afraid of Commitment—And How to Overcome Them

We earn a commission for products purchased through some links in this article. Relationships can be complicated, and there are plenty of things that can affect how we behave in a relationship too, from our attachment style , to having a fear of abandonment , to having trouble committing to another person - aka commitment issues. If you find yourself constantly afraid of making things serious with partners, or you're dating someone who's distant and refusing to label things, it could be that commitment issues are at play. Here's what you need to know about the signs of commitment issues, what causes them, and how to deal with it if you or someone you're dating has issues with commitment. Commitment issues generally refer to people who have difficulty or a fear of committing to a relationship. It doesn't necessarily mean that they don't want to be in the relationship at all, but that they have trouble fully committing to it. BACP counsellor and psychotherapist Katerina Georgiou explains this, saying, "Another word that could describe commitment issues is 'ambivalence'. It can feel like there's a part of you that wants to be in the situation, and another part that also wants to flee.

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A professional matchmaker and dating coach breaks down everything you need to know. Rachel Varina is a full-time freelancer with over 10 years of editorial experience and six years of experience in the wedding industry. For some, the idea of being in a serious, long-term relationship is comforting, and for others, it's terrifying.

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Actually, it could be gamophobia. But for some, the idea of committing — whether it be to a new job or a new relationship — brings on intense feelings of fear and an urge for avoidance. The uncertainty of what awaits after making a big decision can make some people feel unsure about what steps to take next. But for some, this uncertainty turns to fear and may make them not want to make decisions at all.

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Fear of Commitment or Commitment Phobia?

A relationship is like a great white shark—it must keep moving forward in order to get the oxygen it needs or else it will die. When you are with a partner who is unable or chooses not to move to the next developmental milestone, it can cause tremendous problems. Sometimes, this happens because you are with someone who is emotionally unavailable, or, other times, it's just not a match. Frequently, the problem is that you are with someone who has a fear of commitment.

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