For the last 2 yrs now it is very hard for me to touch other people or be touched.
I hate people touching me. I hate when people even violate my personal space…like I can be fine if you are maybe a couple steps away from me, but I hate the crowded feeling of my personal space being invaded. Not sure why, I’m not a germaphobe, it’s nothing like that. The closer people get to me physically the more paranoid I get and feel like something bad will happen.
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I don’t like strangers touching me. People I know - fine. But if I don’t know you, other than a handshake, no thank you. If I get to know you, I have no problem with it. When I was a teenager, I touched no one, and wanted nothing to do with anyone else.
Me either I have a twitch through my whole body when im touched unexpectedly.
Occasionally I’ll give my mother a hug but that is it. I fear I’ll never have another intimate relationship.
Just take it one step at a time. Don’t force yourself into anything. If you let your guard down in the future, then touching and becoming intimate will follow. Just give yourself time.
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Yeah, I have an old friend I’ve been talking to. She is very nice and constantly is trying to get me to come over and spend the week with her, no strings attached type of thing. I keep avoiding going out with her. She is a very nice woman but can’t grasp that I’m not the same person I once was. It is so frustrating because I want to keep her as a friend.
Same…but my issue with touch is due to other reasons.
Though aside from those reasons I find that the more of a psychotic state I’m in the more physical contact irritates me. It’s like I get angry at anything that tries to pull me out of my head.
Im the same way, the transition from kinda normal to full blown psychotic changed me irreversibly.
And reintegration to society has taken years.
Im still not there yet …maybe one day.
Such is life.
Yeah, I’m a completely different person now. I’ve left the house a hand full of times in the last 8 months.
I have to hold my temper when someone walks in front of me in a store or somewhere and being touched sometimes feels like its pins and needles; unless it’s my cat or when my beloved sister was still with me.
I cringe when people touch me. It’s like a violation of my personal space. I get upset when people get too close. At this time only one person doesn’t make me cringe
i like the touch but it should be gentle… 
Life needs to be gentle!
Is there a specific event that lead to your issue with touch, or is it just part of the psychosis? After a traumatic event, I couldn’t touch anyone for about three years, not even my own family. I had to go through a lot of therapy.
Eventually, when I decided I wanted to meet someone, I made it clear that I had to take things slow. I found someone who respected my boundaries, and that made it easier to take small steps, like holding his hand after about a month. I pushed myself a little bit to get to each step, and eventually, I got more comfortable with casual touch.
One year later, I can initiate sex and truly enjoy it without feeling sick. And sometimes I just still don’t want to be touched, and that’s okay too. I sometimes even initiate sex, then halfway through I start to feel sick and have to stop. And even that is totally fine as long as you have the right person who understands. It doesn’t have to happen all at once. If you do decide you want an intimate relationship at some point, it can be possible. And intimate doesn’t have to mean sex unless you want it to.
I dont like being touched or touching - hugging/shaking strangers hands.
I like my personal space - get too close and I get uncomfortable, especially more prevalent with male strangers.
I also dont like eating with others, especially if they are not my parents
I don’t like being touched by strangers either.
It took me a while to be able to stand being touch by family. It just felt weird.
When people touch me… and take their hand away… I can still fee their hand on me… it’s like every touch leaves in imprint that doesn’t fade right away.
I’ve been learning how to not get too freaked out over that.
The sad thing is… when I’m manic… I’m very touchy with others… Even my family noticed. I become a huge space invader when I have a manic hit.
I am ok with getting a hug from my daughter. And I am ok with the cat walking all over me. But that is the extent of touching for me without me freaking out.
I once got arrested while psychotic and got beaten very badly while in shackles.
I’m not violent, the arrest was for theft of food at a hotel. I fed my friend and a homeless guy while waiting on my room to be ready. My exwife, without my knowledge, had cleaned out our joint account the previous day. It drove me into severe psycosis. I was 800 miles from home and thought everyone was conspiring towards me. Three officers came to my cell and just stood there staring at me…I spit at them. Cracked mutiple ribs and chipped 3 teeth among other injuries. I thought I was going to die. That was the event I think. I’ve been arrested many times over the years for rediculous reasons and have encountered some sick sick officers. I look back and wonder why they wouldn’t 5150 me. The system is so flawed.
Thank you all for the input.
I’m just curious, do you think any childhood events led to you being this way? I’m the same btw. I think it’s control issues. Having other people touch me make me feel like I don’t have control. It’s the same reason I dislike airplane rides. Granted, control is just an illusion.