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With the wedding season approaching, psychiatrists in cities like Jaipur report an increase in Gamophobia among urban young people, urging early recognition and treatment.
For those affected, the very idea of marriage can trigger excessive anxiety. (Image: Shuttersock)
As we prepare for another great wedding season, marked by brilliant ceremonies and full banquet halls, a quieter and more anxious trend is emerging behind closed doors, one that psychiatrists say it is one of which is commonly common. While wedding planners prepare for a series of celebrations, mental health professionals in cities such as Jaipur report an increase in the increase in cases of Gamophobia, an intense or weakening fear of marriage.
Derived from Greek words Gamos (Marriage) and Fobos (Fear), Gamophobia is much more than simple cold feet. For those affected, the very idea of marriage can trigger excessive anxiety. Even casual conversations about weddings can cause panic attacks, nausea, sweating or an urgency of retreating sauce. In some cases, individuals paralyze emotionally when thinking about commitment, despite having successful and stable lives.
“In recent months, we have seen a growing number of young professionals, many of them well educated, socially active and financially independent, for this very specific anxiety,” said Dr. Nandita Rao, a psychiatrist based in Jaipur. These are people with promising careers and seemingly ideal circumstances to establish themselves, however, the possibility of marriage induces a level of fear cannot rationalize, he explained more.
Experts believe that Gamophobia’s roots are often in unresolved psychological issues: fear of losing independence, fits trauma or witnessing the dysfunctional relationships of the duration of training years. Symptoms generally begin to emerge after 30 years, when social and family expectations to marry intense. What further complicates things is that many patients not only realize that they deal with a clinical condition.
“They often describe it as an” instinct “or they say they are simply not ready for marriage, without understanding the depth of anxiety they are experiencing,” added Dr. Rao. That is why early recognition and professional intervention are crucial, he explained.
Therapists use combinive behavioral therapy (TCC), conversation therapy and, in some cases, medications to help patients face and overcome fear. The objective is not to push people towards marriage, but to free them from irrational panic that clouds their judgment and makes their emotional well -being difficult.
Stigma in search of psychological help remains an obstacle. However, as consciousness extends, more people start talking openly about Gamophobia and seek the help they need. Experts emphasize that with timely treatment, recovery is not only possible, it is likely. “Marriage is not for everyone, and it’s fine,” said Dr. Rao. “But fear should not be the decisive factor,” he added.