by Lydia Lomahan

Do you find yourself repeating the same relationship dynamics over and over again without truly understanding why? Do you wonder how some people can feel so secure in relationships while others push people away or cling tightly to connection? Have you ever thought about the way you bond with others? 

You are not alone if you have ever pondered any of these questions. Attachment theory, first proposed by psychologist John Bowlby, speaks to how we form connections with others. Our primary attachment style develops in infancy, but it affects how we interact in our relationships for the rest of our lives.  There are four types of attachment styles: secure, anxious-preoccupied, dismissive-avoidant, and fearful-avoidant. These attachment types represent different styles of relating to others and are especially noticeable in times of stress or need. 

The Four Attachment Types 

1). Secure Attachment: A securely attached individual understands the natural cycle of relationships and is comfortable with periods of relational closeness and distance. A secure person is comfortable asking others for help but also displays independent behavior. They trust others readily, communicate honestly, and are skilled in resolving relationship ruptures. Secure adults are flexible, consistent, and demonstrate effective boundaries. They have an overall positive view of themselves and others. 

2). Anxious-Preoccupied: Adults with anxious attachment crave intimacy within their relationships while often feeling insecure about stability or consistency. They may seek constant reassurance, appear needy, fear abandonment or rejection, and become overly dependent on their partners for validation and emotional support. They often have a positive view of others while internalizing a negative view of self. This attachment style often develops from early experiences with caregivers who were inconsistent, neglectful, or emotionally unavailable. As a result, individuals with anxious attachments learn to associate love and security with unpredictability. 

3). Dismissive Avoidant: Individuals with avoidant attachment tend to avoid emotional closeness within relationships. To self-protect, they exhibit hyper-independent behavior, neglecting their intimate relationships. People with an avoidant style may come across as being self-reliant, emotionally distant, and aloof. They often have a low tolerance for dependence and conflict. Adults who have an avoidant attachment often have a positive view of themselves and a negative view of others. This style of connection originates from early childhood caregivers being unavailable, unresponsive, or dismissive of one’s needs as a child. 

4). Fearful-Avoidant (Disorganized): People with this attachment style exhibit behaviors from both anxious and avoidant style tendencies. These individuals crave emotional closeness while also fearing getting hurt. They respond to stress or crises with conflicting, inconsistent behaviors. In other words, sometimes they lean on anxious strategies like clinging and reassurance. Other times, they neglect their close relationships and maintain emotional distance, demonstrating an avoidant strategy. The inconsistency in coping may lead to difficulty regulating emotions. This attachment style often arises from childhood trauma or abuse, indicating inconsistent or frightening caregiver experiences. 

Impact of Trauma

Experiencing trauma, especially as a child, can strongly impact a primary attachment style. The ripple effects include how one may relate to others, view themselves, and experience spirituality or connection to the divine. Trauma can erode one’s sense of trust in others, fostering excessive detachment or clinging within relationships for security. Trauma often heightens emotional dysregulation, along with the fear of vulnerability. Trauma may also negatively influence one’s self-esteem, causing feelings of unworthiness for love and affection. Although trauma can significantly influence attachment styles, awareness coupled with a personal commitment to change can lead to the development of healthier, more meaningful relationships. 

Hope & Healing

Understanding your attachment style is a powerful tool that can help you to grow and heal within your relationships. In recognizing patterns that have been shaped by the past, one can move to a more secure, fulfilling style of connecting with others. Education, self-reflection, supportive relationships, emotional regulation, and self-compassion are vital in moving toward secure attachment. Coupling these tools while working with a therapist is a powerful predictor of rewarding change. The journey of attachment self-discovery is both transformative and deeply enriching.