Reality television star Khloe Kardashian has revealed that she has been struggling with sarmassophobia, a strong and difficult to explain fear of entering romantic relationships. She shared this personal information during an episode of her podcast Khloe In Wonder Land while in conversation with her older sister Kim Kardashian. This fear has likely intensified following painful breakups with Tristan Thompson, the father of her two children, and her ex-husband Lamar Odom. The admission sheds light on the emotional toll that previous relationships have taken on the 41-year-old celebrity.
During the podcast, Khloe admitted that the mere thought of dating again fills her with dread. When Kim asked if she was seeing anyone, Khloe responded candidly about her current state. “It’s a tough world for me. I feel like I’ve been alone for a really long time. The thought of getting into that again really scares me,” she explained. She went on to clarify that she currently feels safe in her single status and has no desire to return to the emotional turmoil she experienced in past relationships. “I feel safe now. I hated how I felt before and I don’t want to go back to that,” she stated during the conversation.
Despite her current comfort with being alone, Khloe acknowledged that this way of living cannot continue indefinitely. She expressed genuine fear about the prospect of dating and questioned whether her feelings made sense. “I’m scared, I’m really scared. Does that make sense?” she asked her sister. Khloe concluded that she might need to seek professional help to work through these intense emotions. Kim, who is 45 years old, also revealed during the same podcast episode that she is not currently dating anyone either. “Honestly, no. Isn’t that crazy?” Kim said, explaining that she is completely devoted to her law studies. She added that she doesn’t have time for dating and that her current situation suits her just fine for now.
It’s worth noting that Khloe has not been intimate with anyone for the past three years, according to her own admission late last year. Her last relationship was with NBA player Tristan Thompson, with whom she shares a seven-year-old daughter named True and a three-year-old son named Tatum. The relationship with Thompson was marked by multiple public infidelity scandals that played out in the media, making the breakup particularly painful for Khloe. Before Thompson, she was married to former NBA star Lamar Odom, a relationship that also ended in heartbreak and public scrutiny.
Dr. Levine, a psychologist from Beverly Hills, offered his professional perspective on Khloe’s situation. He emphasized that fear of dating and new relationships after experiencing multiple disappointments is a completely understandable reaction. “She should give herself time to get over painful romantic disappointments,” Dr. Levine advised. He explained that people who have had their hearts broken multiple times often avoid entering new relationships altogether. Instead of pursuing romance, they fully dedicate themselves to work or children, or both. This coping mechanism allows them to feel safe while avoiding the vulnerability that comes with opening up to someone new.
Dr. Levine suggested that when Khloe feels ready, she could try gradual exposure to dating situations as a way to ease back into the dating world. “That means slowly getting back out there with people, for example through casual daytime coffee dates or brief meetings,” he explained. This approach allows someone to dip their toes back into social interaction without the pressure of a formal romantic date. He also mentioned cognitive behavioral therapy as a potential treatment option for sarmassophobia. “That form of therapy helps in understanding the real causes of fear. A person can ask themselves what is really holding them back. Is it fear of betrayal, rejection, or vulnerability?” he clarified. The psychologist emphasized that this process is demanding because it involves confronting past pain, but it ultimately helps a person gradually recover and build healthier relationship patterns.
Sarmassophobia is classified as an intense fear of dating and establishing romantic connections. It involves pronounced anxiety and avoidance of close relationships, often stemming from previous negative experiences, low self-esteem, or fear of rejection. This type of fear can significantly impact daily life, making it important to seek professional help if it interferes with overall wellbeing. For some people, it may be a temporary phase, while for others it develops into a long-term problem. The duration depends on the intensity of the anxiety, past experiences, and whether the person has support from their environment. With therapy, individuals can better understand themselves, learn how to cope with their fears, and gradually build healthier behavioral patterns in relationships.
This fear can also affect family and friendship relationships beyond just romantic ones. Constantly avoiding romantic situations can make a person emotionally closed off, even toward close friends and family members. Resolving this issue leads to internal relief, which opens up space for higher quality and more fulfilling relationships with family and friends. Additionally, fear of relationships sometimes leads to excessive focus on work as a coping mechanism. Work can become a way of avoiding intimacy and potential hurt. Although professional success can bring satisfaction, such an imbalance in the long term can deprive someone of opportunities for personal growth, intimacy, and a healthy relationship between private and professional life.
Treatment for sarmassophobia typically involves therapy that helps individuals identify the root causes of their fear and develop strategies to manage their anxiety. Cognitive behavioral therapy has proven particularly effective because it addresses both the thoughts and behaviors associated with the phobia. Exposure therapy, which involves gradually facing feared situations in a controlled manner, can also be beneficial. Support groups where people share similar experiences can provide validation and practical coping strategies. In some cases, medication may be prescribed to help manage severe anxiety symptoms, though this is typically combined with therapy rather than used as a standalone treatment. The key is finding a mental health professional who specializes in anxiety disorders and relationship issues.
What are your thoughts on celebrities opening up about mental health struggles like sarmassophobia in the comments?
