Phobias after Marriage Women's Declaration of Dependence

For many years I have been interested in a specific clinical problem which occurs when a young woman, who was apparently independent, self-sufficient and capable, changes after marriage, and develops phobias or other signs of constriction of self. These changes invanably cause her to become excessively dependent and helpless. This sometimes occurs suddenly and dramatically, as in the development of phobias, or it may occur gradually and insiduously over a period of years. Either way, her entire way of life is changed. Where before marriage she was an active, apparently self-sufficient young girl who traveled, drove a car, had many interests, held a responsible job and went many places alone, now all these activities are sharply curtailed, or completely impossible. She becomes fearful of traveling, especially by plane or subway. She may be afraid to be alone even for a moment. She usually can no longer drive a car herself, and in extreme cases may not be able to travel in a car at all, even as a passenger. In the less dramatic cases where this change occurs without specific phobias, she become fearful of making any decision or of taking any sort of responsibility on her own. She clings to her husband for constant support, apparently changing from a capable, “strong” person into a classically “helpless female”.

Many of these women give up all their previous interests and activities which had represented independence of action, or expression of self, such as in the field of creativity. One of my patients who had gone to art school and had done excellent paintings as a young woman, gave up art entirely. Another young woman who had begun to develop a promising career in the opera dropped singing and never sang at all, even for pleasure.

These changes do not necessarily occur suddenly. Often it is a gradual process, and it takes place without conscious decision. In fact, these patients do not usually mention their former interests, enthusiasms or involvements and may refer