Why Are Some Afraid to Love?

One-Sided Love can leave you with a broken heart. Ask HeartBeat's Deborrah Cooper looks at the reasons why some people are afraid to let go and fall in love.

The culprit according to Cooper? Fear. It's crippling and prevents people from reaching success. She lists 10 reasons people might give for letting fear rule their romantic lives.

For instance, a person may have had a bad marriage and an even worse divorce, which makes them afraid of getting hurt a second time. Others feel a commitment of that sort requires too much responsibility and will make them dependent on someone else.

Cooper says, "Loving takes courage and a willingness to risk heartbreak and failure to achieve the relationship of your dreams." She advises investing your energy in someone who's willing to open his or her heart right from the get-go.

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Got a question about a midlife relationship? Ask Dr. Betty Polston.