Anxious attachment

Anxious attachment is one of the four adult attachment styles. Anxiously attached people crave closeness, fear abandonment and monitor partner behaviour for signs of withdrawal.

Strengths: high empathy, strong bonding drive, attunement to others. Watch-outs: hyperactivation (escalating distress until contact resumes) can exhaust partners and mask needs that go unmet. Anxious style responds well to couples therapy and pairs better with secure than with avoidant partners.