Many people naturally experience anxiety while beginning a new romantic relationship or making major life decisions.

However, for other people, the concept of committing—whether it be to a new job or a new relationship—provokes tremendous feelings of anxiety and a desire to avoid it. This goes beyond what some individuals refer to as “commitment concerns” and is known as commitment phobia.

It is sometimes referred to as gamophobia when the dread is related to long-term love relationships or marriage.

Fear of commitment, phobia of commitment, or gamophobia?
Some people may feel apprehensive about their next course of action after making a significant decision due to the unknown that lies ahead.

Some people, however, may find that this ambiguity evolves into anxiety and prevents them from making any decisions at all.

The decision to enroll in a certain institution, sign a lease, leave a job and other significant decisions can all cause anxiety.

These choices are more challenging to make if you live in dread of commitment. They are thus frequently put off and, in certain cases, left up to other people to make.

But eventually, someone who is averse to commitment could overcome their aversion or decide to act anyhow.

A persistent, intense, and perhaps unreasonable dread of anything is known as a phobia. In order to escape what you dread, this overwhelming fear causes you to plan your life around it.

Anxiety disorders include phobias. When they think about their fears, someone who has it may feel severe anxiety and panic attacks.

Actually, one of the most widespread categories of commitment phobias is gamophobia. It is a severe phobia of getting married or entering a committed relationship.

Gamophobia may be the sole phobia someone has. They could feel at ease committing to their position, other relationships, and activities that call for a long-term commitment.

It doesn’t always follow that your spouse has a commitment phobia or fear if they do.

Don’t love you, don’t appreciate you, reject you, don’t want to hang out with you, are being unfaithful to you, are playing with you.
Some people may find it tough to deal with the commitment itself but not the emotions. They could be attracted to you, want to hang out with you, or even want to become closer.

Source:psychcentral

Also Read: How to go from a casual relationship to a committed relationship