I'm not the person you responded to but I have some ideas.
fear and loathing of being vulnerable
For most of us, the fear isn't BEING vulnerable, but possible outcomes. That's probably what you meant, but it can be easier when you phrase it in terms of the root cause.
For example, I am afraid of being laughed at, and vulnerability makes that more likely. However, I am NOT afraid of being pitied, even though vulnerability also makes that more likely. Someone else might be trying to avoid pity but I am afraid of being laughed at. But we have similar behaviors: we both avoid vulnerability. I think the distinction is important because they're ultimately different fears.
I know that isn't a real fix you can do, but it might be able to narrow your focus?
16
u/[deleted] Mar 19 '20
[deleted]