There are several physical, emotional and cognitive symptoms and signs that are indicative of the fear of intimacy phobia.
The physical symptoms include muscle pain, gastrointestinal distress and nausea, sweating, increased heart rate and shaking/trembling at the mere thought of getting intimate with someone. Often, these signs are mistaken for some other illnesses when they are actually the body’s way of preparing itself for a fight or flight response to intimacy.
Full blown anxiety and panic attacks are also likely in the person suffering from the fear of intimacy. S/he is likely to feel scared and confused and is unable to distinguish between reality and unreality.
The phobic associates the feeling of vulnerability s/he has experienced in the past with weakness and inferiority and tries to either control people or avoid them completely.