Fear Of Touch Anyone?

[99Phoenix99]

As for my nerve issues, they figured it out. I'm following their plan and feeling better a little but at a time. Unfortunately its something I'll have to live with but now what out is I hope to be able to manage it.

Keep up the good work moving forward

I'm glad they know what's going on and can finally get a plan together for you! I'm even more glad that you're feeling better! I'm sure just knowing what was going on was such a relief for you. I had an experience like that, where I was suffering from nerve pain for 6 months and no one could diagnose me. Not knowing what was happening... that was hell. But you have a starting point now so I hope things only get better for you.

Thanks for all of the support :D

 

[The Hermit King]

Is that a major factor for anyone else? Being afraid of touch?

I don't have a fear of touch or anything but I kind of have to be told or reminded to do it. Sounds weird maybe but for instance I can be in my recliner and and my Ex-GF could be over on the couch while we watched a movie together and I would feel like we were having close quality time together. She didn't see it that way though, she had this need to always be right up in my face kissing me and sucking all my oxygen! lol I really didn't like that and it really hurt her feelings when I would pull away or turn my head. I'm just not a touchy feely kind of guy anymore. So not a fear but maybe an aversion to touch for me.

I cannot stand people touching my face.

And I am the same BIG TIME. In fact thats the area that bothers me the most. I think it stems from having to wear a gas mask for very long periods of time in the desert. Even kissing for more than a few seconds makes me feel like I am suffocating. My ex was VERY big on kissing so this was a major problem.

 

[99Phoenix99]

I don't have a fear of touch or anything but I kind of have to be told or reminded to do it. Sounds weird maybe but for instance I can be in my recliner and and my Ex-GF could be over on the couch while we watched a movie together and I would feel like we were having close quality time together.

I can understand that. I generally find that watching a movie or just making jokes and laughing with a person is more meaningful. Quiet and simple moments of contentment with no real importance (like just quietly watching a movie or just sharing a space without needing to say anything) are what I like.

And I am the same BIG TIME. In fact thats the area that bothers me the most. I think it stems from having to wear a gas mask for very long periods of time in the desert. Even kissing for more than a few seconds makes me feel like I am suffocating. My ex was VERY big on kissing so this was a major problem.

Oddly enough kissing doesn't bother me ( I actually like it a lot lol). At first it was weird/confusing when I realized that didn't bother me, what with all of my issues dealing with my cranial nerve damage and jaw reconstruction. But I figure that was the only part of my face that wasn't in pain or had a needle jabbed into it at some point. So I suppose it kind of makes sense.

However I've since recognized, with my PT's help, what part of touch I really have issues with. It has to do with hands. If someone goes to reach out to me that's what really sets me off. That's why hugs bother me, I'm not only having someone try to reach for me but I'm also about to be restrained.

It partially has to do with all of the IM injections and nerve blocks I got from doctors. I wasn't given any type of anesthetics during those procedures, I just had to endure the pain. I had to force myself to remain still during it, but when they hit a nerve? Good God. I would involuntarily jerk. Which doesn't mix well with needles that are deeply embedded into the muscle. So I had to be physically held down by nurses every time just in case a nerve was hit.

It's that whole Pavlovian Dog thing. Having hands reaching out for me or restraining me is just engraved into me as an association with 7 years of intense physical pain.

I laugh at myself now. It's no wonder I had such a hard time in the dating world lol

 

[stuff]

I definitely have a few touch issues. My hair and neck are spots that trigger me, but I feel like I have an even bigger fear of touching other people. I think it stems from having a very emotionally distant mum who was at times a bit physically abusive and a few other awful manipulative experiences as I got older.

I live in fear of retaliation from touching another person. This has only been exacerbated by my latest romantic encounter, where I finally met someone who I felt really comfortable with and felt safe touching him for maybe the first time in my life. Things were getting quite affectionate for a while and he finally spent the night in my bed snuggling with me but the next day he stopped things in their tracks and said that he can't be with me because my touch causes him severe anxiety. This is breaking me. It makes me want to hide and never come out again. I feel like there's something wrong with me.