Self-Disclosure is a process of sharing one’s self to another person. In day to day basis one individual shares the information with the other. The information may be personal or superficial depending on the conversation. One has to share the same level of information with the other in self-disclosure. It is important that in a conversation people are concerned about the present scenario of each other.

Self-disclosure is important in our intimate relationship or marriage which gradually develops deeper and deeper except rare cases. It helps us to build trust, understanding, care, commitment and growth in a relationship/ marriage. We are unable to build a good relationship or marriage if we are not open about ourselves and to our partners. If we hide our reactions and feelings, we will be like strangers in a relationship or marriage. Our openness motivates our partner to open up but a person who shares a good amount of information; reactions and feelings may scare the other person. So, we should slowly open up with careful assessment of other person’s reactions.

Why People Inhibit Themselves from Self-Disclosure?

When we feel stuck, “FEAR” is the most important factor in talking and sharing of ourselves. There are five types of fear which constitutes in our daily lives.

  • Fear of Knowing of Ourselves

We do not want to know ourselves because of fear of the unknown and what lies within us. This may be due to the risk of a pleasurable or painful experience to know self.

  • Fear of Changing Ourselves

Changes are part of life but few accept it and rest find it difficult with a feeling of restlessness. Sometimes, past experiences or wounds are full of pus causing us pain and suffering which makes a person behave in such a way that we avoid change.

  • Fear of Closeness with Others

We may doubt people that if we disclose any information then the other might misuse against us. This further leads to a hampered relationship.

  • Fear of Rejection from Others

We have a fear of rejection that our weaknesses will be exposed which creates doubt among people.

  • Fear of Guilt and Shame

Feeling of inadequacy, guilt and shame our most detrimental to our relationship which further leads towards loneliness.

Through the help of marriage counselling, a couple learns to open up in a more constructive way to develop a healthy and meaningful relationship/ marriage. It helps to develop more qualitative and quantitative communication between couples.

Dr Nisha Khanna as a Relationship/Marriage Counsellor proffers online, telephonically and face to face Counselling Services. If you are living in Delhi, India or any other part of World, you can approach us through any of these mediums. For further details visit Bye Tense, or call us at +91-9312730331