The word intimate refers to the feeling of being in a close personal association or belonging together. It is a familiar connecton with another as a result of a bond that is formed through knowledge and experience of the other. Genuine intimacy in human relationships requires dialogue, transparency and reciprocity. Intimate also means a person with whom one has a particularly close relationship. On a generalised perspective the meaning and level of intimacy varies within and between relationship.
To sustain intimacy for any length of time requires well developed emotional and inter personal awareness. IT results in a connection in which there is an emotional range involving both robust conflict and intense loyalty
From a centre of self-knowledge and self-differentiation, intimate behaviour joins family members, close friends as well as those in love together. Poor skills in developing intimacy can lead to getting too close too quickly, struggling to find the boundary and to sustain connections. Psychological consequences of intimacy problems are found in adults who have difficulty in forming and maintaining relationships.
Intimacy can take different types: physical, emotional and experiential. Physical intimacy takes the form of touching such as holding hands, hugging, kissing, caressing and other sexual activity. Emotional intimacy develops after physical bonds have been established. Experiential is when two people get together to actively involve themselves with each other.
Intimate relationships provide a social network for people that provide strong emotional attachment and fulfil our universal need of belonging and the need to be cared for.
