The Ultimate Guide to Attachment Styles

The Attachment Theory dates back to as early as the 1950's and was originated by John Bowlby. Attachment theory focuses on relationships or emotional bonds between people, including parent and child relationships and romantic relationships. There are four patters of attachment. 

​
1. Avoidant Attachment 
Avoidant attachment is one type of insecure attachment style. Individuals who have an avoidant attachment may have difficulty expressing feelings or emotions. Those may also feel uncomfortable when someone else seeks out forms of intimacy. Those with avoidant attachment tend to become emotionally or physically independent. 

2. Secure Attachment 
Secure attachment is the most common type of attachment and is the healthiest style. Self-contended, social, and warm, are characteristics that people with this type of attachment style may portray. Individuals with style may have more success with long-term relationships. Those with secure attachment are aware of their emotions and emotional needs, they are okay with expressing them and do not go to extremes. 

3. Anxious Attachment
Anxious attachment is one insecure type of insecure attachment. People with anxious attachment often have low self-esteem, fear of rejection, clinginess, or need for constant reassurance. People often have a strong desire for intimacy but is accompanied with doubts and abandonment anxiety. 

4. Disorganized Attachment
Disorganized attachment is a type of insecure attachment style. Individuals with this attachment style are very inconsistent in behaviors and have a hard time with intimacy. They WANT to love and to feel loved. But, they are too afraid to let anyone in. They do not reject intimacy; they are afraid of it. People with disorganized attachment have a fear of being hurt by those closets to them. People with disorganized attachment are waiting for the worst to happen and avoid proximity. 

---