Commitment issues can stem from a variety of issues, but are often caused by fears that the individual has learned through past experiences or personal views. One common fear is that of being vulnerable: these individuals are afraid of getting hurt, which is often due to past relationship hurt.

What causes fear of commitment?

It may be due to a mixture of things rather than a single cause. It could be a learned response from observing parents or other close relatives. Fear of commitment can arise out of a particular trauma, such as witnessing your parents' difficult relationship or divorce.

What does it mean to be scared of commitment?

If you fear getting close to people or making relationship decisions that have a long-lasting effect, such as getting married, you might have commitment phobia. It is common to fear the unknown, but people with commitment phobia can extend this fear to other parts of their life — especially romantic relationships.