ERIK ERICKSON’S DEVELOPMENTAL STAGE

This is the time in our life when we begin to open up to others and
share more personal aspects of our lives with them. We will consider
relationships that lead to longer-term commitments with someone other
than a family member for this session. When this stage is effectively
completed, it can result in enjoyable partnerships and a sense of
responsibility, safety, and care within a relationship.
The intimacy portion of this stage, on the other hand, is primarily
focused on creating loving, close relationships with persons other than
one's immediate family members. Depending on your circumstances,
these persons in your life could be friends, neighbors, or even coworkers.
At this point, the individual begins to divulge more personal information
about themselves to others and gradually lowers their guard to trust others
and develop close relationships with them.
Erik Erikson believed that creating committed relationships with
people was essential for imparting a sense of commitment, safety, and
care in one's dealings with others. Erik Erikson was born in Sweden and
raised in the United States.
During this stage, a lack of meaningful relationships can lead to
feelings of loneliness, isolation, and depression (in certain situations, in
extreme cases). A lack of or no friendships, a significant lack of intimacy
and sexual contacts, and insufficient social support are among the issues
that many coping with during this stage have reported. For example, a
fear of commitment and intimacy, an inability to open up, and childhood
experiences of abuse and neglect are all factors that might lead to feelings
of loneliness. The individual needs to learn how to be open and share
with others throughout this era of life to avoid emotions of loneliness and
depression.