Understanding Anxious and Avoidant Attachment Styles

Anxious attachment occurs when individuals are overly sensitive to their partner's moods and actions, often stemming from inconsistent love during childhood. This sensitivity leads to feelings of insecurity and a reliance on closeness to feel safe, causing anxious individuals to prioritize their partner's needs above their own. In contrast, avoidant attachment develops from a lack of responsiveness from caregivers, resulting in a need for independence and self-sufficiency. Avoidant partners often withdraw from emotional intimacy, fearing enmeshment and feeling unable to meet their partner's needs.