Fearful-Avoidant Attachment Patterns

Attachment theory is a concept in psychology that describes how a person feels about their close relationships and how they behave toward them, particularly in times of stress.There are several typesTrusted Source of attachment style. Some people have a secure attachment style, that allows them to feel close and safe within their relationships. Others have insecure attachment styles that are heavily influenced by worry and fear, which may make finding support and care a challenge. These insecure styles include an anxious attachment style, in which a person worries about being underappreciated or abandoned.

They may aim to feel safe and secure in relationships by having constant closeness and overly expressing their feelings. Another insecure attachment is the avoidant attachment style, where a person tends to have negative views of others, assuming they cannot be relied upon or trusted in times of need. To feel safe in relationships, a person with this attachment style may distance themselves to create a sense of independence. In fearful avoidant attachment style, a person may fear closeness and intimacy. However, they need and heavily rely on the support of others at the same time.

A person with a fearful avoidant attachment style may crave closeness and reassurance from their partner, fearing that they will abandon them. In another instance, they may begin to feel trapped or afraid of how close they are with their partner and attempt to distance themselves.

A person with a fearful avoidant attachment style may display some of the following characteristics:

find it difficult to open up to others and discuss their feelings

have difficulty trusting others

have a negative view of others

have a negative view of themselves

have difficulty regulating their emotions

dissociation

lack healthy coping strategies for stress

withdraw in times of intimacy and closeness

Researchers suggest that people exhibit these fluctuating behaviors to protect themselves from being hurt by people close to them.