Recently, media reports revealed that when a groom attempted to flee before the wedding, the bride chained him with an iron chain to complete the ceremony.On the wedding day, the groom vanished. The bride, dressed in her wedding gown and clutching chains, searched the streets for her "missing" husband. For reasons unknown, he refused to return home for the ceremony. After pleading in vain, she chained him up and dragged him to the wedding.Yet no matter how hard the bride dragged him, the groom refused to marry. Could it be that the bride was too formidable, causing the groom to suffer from pre-marital anxiety?
In recent years, pre-marital anxiety has become a less uncommon phenomenon. As the wedding date approaches, many soon-to-be newlyweds experience an inexplicable fear, even contemplating last-minute escape.Psychologists call this "pre-marital anxiety," also known as "marriage phobia." So what should you do if you experience pre-marital anxiety?
Identify the true source of your fear
Ask yourself what exactly you're afraid of. Are you worried about losing freedom after marriage? Concerned about marital discord? Anxious about future financial pressures? Make sure to jot down your concerns!Writing down your emotions is itself a form of catharsis—a way to have a dialogue with your own heart. This helps you clarify what you're truly worried about and whether those worries are justified.
Ask yourself what you're truly afraid of
Are you worried about losing your freedom after marriage? Concerned about marital discord? Anxious about future financial burdens? Make sure to jot down your worries! Writing down your emotions is itself a form of emotional release—a way to have a conversation with your own heart. This helps you gain clarity on what you're truly afraid of and whether those fears are justified.
Engage in meaningful conversations with family
Don't rush any decisions requiring family input. After hearing their advice, take time to reflect: Does their perspective hold merit? Is my stance truly justified? Avoid letting unnecessary worries weigh you down. Wedding planning is inherently complex—approach it with a calm mind. Slow down the pace of discussions and embrace the process with a relaxed attitude.
Both partners should deepen mutual understanding
Continuously strengthening mutual understanding and deepening affection is the most crucial pre-marital psychological preparation. Without this foundation, even the most meticulous material preparations cannot guarantee marital happiness. Material abundance alone cannot compensate for emotional wounds or sustain genuine marital affection.It is advisable to deepen your understanding before considering marriage, or to have a thorough pre-marital discussion to learn as much as possible about each other. This may help alleviate fears about the future marriage. Establish a Correct View of Love and Marriage First, it is essential to cultivate a sense of security for the patient, fostering a feeling of belonging and helping them develop a healthy perspective on love and marriage. Second, pre-marital anxiety can be treated using psychotherapy.Supportive psychotherapy encompasses several approaches: explanation, understanding, encouragement, reassurance, and guidance. When necessary, it should address anxiety and fear symptoms in the patient's daily life, and may be supplemented with medication.