Have I Developed an Avoidant Attachment Style?

Are you likely to suppress emotions?

Do you feel as though your partners are being clingy when they just want to form a close emotional bond?

Do you avoid complaining and prefer to hint at what is wrong?

Do you avoid emotional closeness in your relationships?

Are you afraid of being rejected?

Do you suppress negative memories?

Do you always try to cope with difficult situations alone?

Do you have high self-esteem, but a negative view of other people?

Are you too focused on your own needs?

Are you likely to withdraw from unpleasant conversations or sights?

Do you feel very independent?

Although you may be showing a few signs related to it, it’s unlikely that you have developed an avoidant attachment style. An attachment style is a pattern of behaviors someone shows in response to bonds and relationships. Avoidant attachment develops during early childhood and usually occurs in children who do not experience sensitive responses to their needs from their parents or caregivers. When these children grow up, they tend to become very independent, both emotionally and physically.

Based on your answers, you are displaying some signs related to an avoidant attachment style. Avoidant attachment develops during early childhood and usually occurs in children who do not experience sensitive responses to their needs. The parents are continuously emotionally unavailable or unresponsive to the child’s needs and distress. Developing this type of attachment style as a child can lead to issues forming close relationships as an adult. An adult with avoidant attachment may benefit from therapy.

Unfortunately, you are displaying the symptoms typically seen among individuals who have developed an avoidant attachment style. Avoidant attachment develops during early childhood and usually occurs in children who do not experience sensitive responses to their needs from their parents or caregivers. These children may disconnect from their own needs and feelings and feel as if though they can rely on themselves. An adult with avoidant attachment may benefit from therapy. The therapist will help you to understand how your parents responded to your needs when you were a child and how this has an influence on your current behaviors, feelings and emotions.