Verywell / Theresa Chiechi
Fearful avoidant attachment is one of four adult attachment styles.
Those with thisinsecure style of attachmenthave a strong desire for close relationships, but distrust others andfear intimacy.
People with a fearful-avoidant attachment style distrust others and withdraw from relationships to get to avoid rejection.
Verywell / Theresa Chiechi
This leads people with a fearful-avoidant attachment to avoid the very relationships they crave.
This article reviews how fearful-avoidant attachment style develops and describes the impacts it can have on an individual.
Origins of Attachment Theory
PsychologistJohn Bowlbyintroducedattachment theoryin 1969 to explain the bonds infants develop with their caregivers.
This created four adult attachment styles, one secure style, and threeinsecurestyles.
Theybelieve they are unlovableand also don’t trust other people to support and accept them.
Because they think others will eventually reject them, they withdraw from relationships.
Fearful-avoidant attachment can lead to behavior that may be confusing to friends and romantic partners.
Consequently, these individuals seek validation and self-acceptance through their relationships with others.
Dismissive-Avoidant
People withdismissive-avoidant attachmenthave a sense of their own self-worth butdon’t trust other people.
This makes them dismissive of the value of intimacy, leading them to avoid close relationships.
As a result, they are comfortable with intimacy but are also secure enough to be on their own.
What Causes Fearful-Avoidant Attachment Style?
Fearful-avoidant attachment is often sparked by childhood in which at leastone parent or caregiver exhibits frightening behavior.
When the child approaches the parent for comfort, the parent is unable to provide it.
Fearful-avoidant attachment is often considered the worst in terms of potential negative outcomes.
For example, multiple studies have shown that there is an association between fearful-avoidant attachment and depression.
Becoming more aware of your attachment style may help you learn to cope with it more effectively.
Be Kind to Yourself
People with fearful-avoidant attachment think negatively about themselves and can often be self-critical.
It can help you to learn to talk to yourself like you would a friend.
This enables you to be more compassionate and understanding of yourself while shutting down self-criticism.
Find out which option is the best for you.
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