How lack of physical intimacy affects you Lack of physical intimacy can affect other areas of life, too. Shetty points out,
From harming your self-esteem to damaging your emotional well being, lack of physical intimacy can affect you in many ways
Physical intimacy is an important part of romantic relationships and this vital element is often lost due to professional, personal or other reasons. For example, there may be roadblocks in a relationship, you may not be in talking terms with your partner, don’t see eye-to-eye or are in a loveless marriage.
There could also be unavoidable circumstances such as when your partner is transferred out of town for work or when she is pregnant. But lack of physical intimacy can hurt people in ways that their partner may not even notice.
Riddhish K Maru, psychiatrist, says, “Depriving a person of physical intimacy can affect them badly. And, in most cases, the affected person may not even want to talk it out with the partner due to ego issues. Also, it is still a taboo among many, which may be another hindrance.”
With the help of experts, we reveal the signs that people who are deprived of physical intimacy typically display.
NEGATIVE REACTIONS
People who are deprived of physical intimacy are prone to emotional outbursts and are more irritable. Neeta V Shetty, psychotherapist, says, “Their frustration triggers mood swings. They are more sensitive to every situation that goes against them. In fact, every conversation this person has with the partner can lead to disagreements.”
SUBSTITUTION OF FRUSTRATION
“Substituting your frustration into other areas of life such as getting into alcoholism, leading a reckless life, socialising more with friends than your partner is common. This is how these people may want to get back to their partner.”
EMOTIONALLY DISTANT
Emotionally, people in such situations end up drifting away from their partners. Shetty adds, “As physical intimacy strengthens the bond, deprivation of the same may lead couples to drift away from each other, emotionally. This person may also develop bitterness and resentment against their partner.”
COMMITMENT PHOBIA
Deprived of physical intimacy, a person will gradually shy away from making any commitments in the relationship. Viveck Shettyy, life coach, says, “This is primarily because they no longer have a sense of belonging to the relationship.”
EXCESSIVE DRINKING OR EATING
Physical intimacy is also considered an expression of love, and loss of love has its effects. Mehta says, “Due to lack of physical intimacy, people may stop taking care of themselves. Unable to express love and receive love increases feelings of guilt and sadness. People may, thus, turn towards comfort food, often leading to binge eating and alcoholism.”
EFFECT ON SELF-ESTEEM
Loss of self-esteem may be a major casualty in people who are deprived of physical intimacy. Niharika Mehta, psychologist, says, “Being physically intimate with your partner makes you feel confident and accepted. Depriving one of the pleasure makes one feel undesirable and self critical. So, a person in such a relationship may refuse to engage in positive activities or not accept compliments as they feel they don’t deserve it.”