It generally stems from childhood experiences.
Secure attachments with caregivers are essential for healthy development.
Poor attachment during the early years of life can have lasting effects.
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These attachments can also persist into adulthood and negatively affect adult relationships.
This article discusses the symptoms, causes, and treatments of attachment anxiety.
It also covers how you could cope if you or your partner have an anxious attachment style.
Click below to listen now.
Bowlby argued that your sense of security as a child is critical to your attachment style as an adult.
is a reflection of what you’ve learned and how you’ve been treated throughout your life.
Symptoms of Anxious Attachment
How do people with attachment anxiety behave?
Below is an overview of some of the most common symptoms.
Genetic factors can play a role, but early childhood experiences also have an important influence.
We know thatanxietytends to have a genetic component.
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However, attachment anxiety may also result from experiences during childhood or later in life.
These can include overprotective parents, abuse, or neglect.
Attachment serves to protect a child in terms of survival.
A child will experience anxiety and seek comfort from a parent.
Rather, it is generally considered to be a symptom to be addressed on its own.
While most children outgrow this issue, it can persist into adolescence and adulthood.
They may also lack responsiveness to others, have limited positive affect, and unexplained irritability.
This disorder results from neglect during childhood.
This approach keeps the attachment anxiety level elevated and commonly leads to relationships that are strained.
Find out which option is the best for you.
Strategies If You Have Attachment Anxiety
How do you stop anxious attachment?
Working ondeveloping a more secure attachment stylecan help.
In general, that’s a win-win situation that will lead to a more fulfilling life.
You’ll no longer be focused on being abandoned or not supported.
Instead, you’ll be able to focus on the positive aspects of your relationship.
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Simpson JA, Steven Rholes W.Adult attachment, stress, and romantic relationships.Curr Opin Psychol.
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Thomason E, Oh W, Volling BL, Gonzalez R, Yu T.Chapter VI.
Developmental Trajectories of Children’s Anxiety and Depression After the Birth of a Sibling.Monogr Soc Res Child Dev.
