Close
Search
Close

Hold Off Before Hooking Up

  • Posted at Mar 15, 2016
  • Written by yellowbrick

Hooking up

Commitment seems to be a word many Millennials struggle with. Traditional dating has been replaced with hooking up, and for many young adults, the idea of being able to have a physical connection with someone with no strings attached seems ideal.

But when commitment is unclear between two people who are being intimate with one another, anxiety is a common side effect. Many young adults are plagued with questions like, “What are we?” “Is he/she seeing other people?” “Do I text him/her or is that being too much of a girlfriend/boyfriend?” “Why haven’t I heard from him/her?” “Am I lovable?”

In an uncommitted relationship, doubts like these can have a snowball effect and cause a great deal of anxiety and take a toll on one’s self-worth.

Although young adults may be resistant to being in a committed relationship, Dr. David Daskovsky, senior psychologist and director of training at Yellowbrick, says young adults should think twice before hooking up with someone:

Yellowbrick: Why should young adults think twice before hooking up?

Daskovsky: I think that sex usually has more emotional meaning than some young people may allow themselves to recognize. Though someone may say to him or herself, “This is just casual,” more often than not, there is a lot more at stake. It is usually true, if we are honest with ourselves, that having sex with another person taps into our deepest yearnings and our deepest insecurities: Am I attractive? Am I desirable? Am I capable? And of most concern, Am I lovable?

Yellowbrick: What are the repercussions of hooking up?

Daskovsky: Hooking up certainly can have significant consequences. For instance, if I hook up with someone because I’m afraid I’m unlovable, I’ve likely caught myself in a trap. To the degree I believe I’m dependent on another person to prove my self-worth, I will actually lose self-respect and almost always will become resentful of the other person to whom I’ve given the power to judge me. Dependency of this sort, e.g., “I need you here with me to feel safe,” or, “I need you to show you are attracted to me to feel I’m good enough,” saps our strength, erodes our confidence and tends to leave us anxious and preoccupied about the availability of the one upon whom we depend.

Yellowbrick: Does hooking-up leave a scar on the hearts of young people?

Daskovsky: I’ve spoken to many young people who bear another kind of scar from casually hooking up. To the degree that someone cares more about the encounter than they let on, or recognizes that they are using the other person or allowing themselves to be used in this way, people frequently say that they end up feeling guilty or ashamed. “What kind of person am I,” they ask, “if I sleep with someone just so they won’t leave me or if I take advantage of the other person’s dependency?”

If you notice that your child struggles with their self-worth because of a noncommittal relationship or constantly checks their phone to gain some type of self-assurance from their hook-up buddy, it may be time to intervene.

Daskovsky says parents should start by asking their son or daughter about their feelings, thoughts and beliefs about hooking up. Questions to consider include: “What does hooking-up mean to you?” “Do you yourself have doubts or concerns about whether this is ok for you?”

For more information information, visit: www.yellowbrickprogram.com.

Share: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn
Why Sleep Is Good for Your Mental Health Previous Post
Next Post Sexual Assault on College Campuses: A major cause for mental health problems

Take the Next Step

Yellowbrick collaborates with adolescents and emerging adults, ages 16-30's, their families and participating professionals toward the development and implementation of a strategic “Life Plan.” An integrative, multi-specialty consultation clarifies strengths, limitations, and risks, and defines motivations, goals and choices.

    Get Help now, call us toll free

    Real-Time Treatment for Emerging Adults and their Families

    Bipolar Disorder

    A mental health condition that’s characterized by intense shifts in mood including both manic and depressive episodes.

    Major Depressive Disorder

    People living with Major Depressive Disorder, or MDD, experience episodes of depression and sadness that are debilitating to daily life.

    Anxiety Disorders

    Those living with anxiety disorders experience high levels of anxiety and stress that interfere negatively with daily life.

    Thought Disorder

    A mental health issue in which a person’s cognitive function is impaired, resulting in symptoms like experiencing challenges with conducting speech, reading and writing, and behavior.

    Personality Disorders

    Mental health disorders that negatively affect a person’s behaviors, thought patterns, and function. People diagnosed with these disorders experience challenges with managing relationships and understanding various situations.

    PTSD

    Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is a mental health condition that people can develop as a result of experiencing traumatic situations, characterized by symptoms including flashbacks, avoidance behaviors, and more.

    ADHD

    A mental health condition that is characterized by specific symptoms of forgetfulness and lack of concentration, which makes it challenging to complete necessary tasks.

    Eating Disorders

    Mental health conditions that interfere with a person’s eating habits, thought patterns, and behaviors in negative ways.

    OCD

    A mental health disorder diagnosable with the DSM-5 that is characterized by both obsessions and compulsive behaviors.