Intimacy Disorder

An emotional intimacy disorder, or intimacy anorexia, is an obsessive avoidance of sharing your thoughts, needs and emotions with others. People with intimacy disorders often have trouble maintaining long-term relationships, lack trust and avoid affection.

At the KeyStone Center Extended Care Unit (ECU), we help you uncover the source of intimacy anxiety. Past emotional trauma, such as abuse or neglect, can often cause deep damage that prevents people from having healthy relationships. We offer a supportive environment where you can process these experiences and begin your recovery.

Do I Have an Intimacy Anxiety Disorder?

You may have a fear of emotional intimacy if you:

• Are obsessed with sex but can’t feel an emotional connection during sex
• Avoid physical displays of intimacy, such as hugging, touching or kissing
• Continue to avoid intimacy, even though doing so destroys relationships
• Don’t trust others with your thoughts, feelings or emotions
• Have a history of short-term, dysfunctional relationships
• Isolate yourself to avoid close relationships
• Turn to drugs or alcohol instead of building relationships
• Use anger as a way to avoid intimacy

What Causes Intimacy Anorexia?

Childhood trauma is the most common reason people develop intimacy disorders in adulthood. Men who experience abuse, neglect or abandonment as children often avoid intimacy to protect themselves from more pain. They fear their partners or other people close to them will also reject them.

Sexual abuse, in particular, is deeply destructive and may lead to associating sex and other forms of intimacy with guilt, shame and disgust. Men who were sexually abused may develop sexual anorexia, an obsessive avoidance of sex. Or some men use sex as a substitute for emotional intimacy. They may develop an addiction to pornography or internet sex. Or they act out sexually through infidelity or promiscuity.

Treatment for Men With Intimacy Issues: Why Choose KeyStone Center ECU?

Our all-male program for intimacy disorders offers:

• Specialized experts: We focus exclusively on sex addiction and intimacy disorder treatment. You work with a dedicated team of therapists, counselors and coaches who have extensive training in evidence-based approaches to recovery.
• Evidence-based therapies: Our comprehensive treatments include individual, group and family counseling. We also offer trauma-focused therapies such as art, drama and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR).
• Excellent outcomes: Our patients report positive experiences at KeyStone Center ECU. Feedback from a 2022 patient discharge survey shows that 96% feel the program met their treatment goals and needs. Our strong alumni community also reflects our commitment to lifelong healing and support.