Isolation
As per Erik Erikson, the psychosocial counterpart to intimacy is isolation. Isolation is defined as the incapacity of an individual to take up the chances with one’s identity by experiencing and sharing true intimacy (Erikson, 1968). Some people might become financially or socially successful, yet maintain and hold on a sense of isolation because they are unable or incapable of accepting the adult responsibilities of productive work, procreation, and commitment towards mature love.
Just like all other ego dystonic counterpart, some degree of isolation is also necessary before a person can acquire mature love. Too much togetherness can lead to reduction of a person’s sense of ego identity, which might cause the person to experience a psychosocial regression and an incapability to face the next developmental stage. The greater source of danger is too much isolation, too little intimacy, and a deficiency in acquiring the basic strength of love.