Intimacy problems cover a wide array of issues concerning openness, sharing, and mutual vulnerability. It is important to note that intimacy does not need to be sexual, it can be emotional, intellectual, and experiential. The most common problem is manifested as having a fear of intimacy which may be caused by fear of rejection, abandonment issues, history of abuse, control issues, and mental health conditions.
For instance, a person with social anxiety disorder may often engage in avoidant behaviors which influence his or her relationships. Moreover, an individual with self-esteem issues may have difficulties in being open to his/her significant other due to a sense of negative self-worth. Also, some people suffer from sexual performance anxiety due to health problems or traumatic experience.