If you’re always finding it difficult to strip it all off during intimacy or always finding a reason to have clothes on even in the shower alone or refusing medical checkups so that you don’t have to appear nude, then you may have a condition that is far more severe than shyness. Whilst there’s nothing wrong if you choose to never appear nude, it may affect your relationships and psychological health because there is always that fear and uneasiness as you go about your daily life.
This anxiety was first addressed publicly in the American series Arrested Development where the dysfunctional Tobias Funke (whom Lindsay’s the sitcom’s only daughter in the series, marries just to get back at her mother). Tobias was unable to be completely nude and would often appear in the series in tight cutoffs under his jeans. The term “never nude” was then famously conjured by the series but in real life, it is an actual psychological condition that may be influenced by genetics called “gymnophobia”, also know as the fear of nudity.
The thing is, sufferers of this phobia are perfectly aware of this irrational fear yet they can’t help but panic when required to be naked or see others in similar form. This can happen for several reasons: fearing that they are physically unattractive, fear of the feeling of being exposed and vulnerable, and the general anxiety about sexuality. This phobia often begins from puberty and sometimes prolongs into adulthood. Some of the symptoms of gymnophobia are rapid breathing, shortness of breath, nausea, sweating and irregular heart beats when faced with the notion of being nude. But people with this condition can still function well in society by avoiding washrooms, changing rooms and beaches.
This phobia may come across as a burden when two people in a normal relationship decide to be intimate and is often mistakened with insecurity with their own bodies. The sufferer may always insist on dimming the lights, doing it purely under the sheets or always having a large article of clothing on during the greatest act of love. This phobia is not gender specific and according to some couples, it can become contagious.
It can make the other party feel insecure about themselves as well and can be distracting during sex because one person is too focused about staying covered up. It’s important to understand this anxiety if you truly love your other half and to take small steps in helping them deal with it. Never call them names or get mad, instead tell them that they are perfect to you, make them feel comfortable and happy with themselves.
Take things one step at a time. Always approach this subject gently, lovingly and remember that you have no right to demand or force someone to do anything for you unless they willingly want to. Change takes time and by helping your other half, you are also helping yourself as well.
