Anxious attachment style

[Jazzy]

How do you deal with someone with an anxious attachment style?

 

[Lamb]

I had no idea what that was so I had to Google it...

signs of codependency
intense emotional discomfort or avoidance of being alone
difficulty setting boundaries
fear of abandonment
feeling like you’re unworthy of love
feeling dependent on others
frequent need for validation
an intense desire for intimacy or closeness
tendency to feel or act jealous
people-pleasing tendencies
low self-esteem
sensitivity to changes in how others feel, speak, or behave
tolerating unhealthy behaviors in relationships
difficulty trusting others

I know a few people who fall into some of those categories, but not all. In dealing with them I just make sure that I have strong boundaries so I don't get sucked into their despair.

 

[ValleyGal]

If the person knows their attachment style and wants to do something about it, I'd suggest a therapy called EFIT - Emotionally Focused Individual Therapy - created by Sue Johnson. If the person doesn't know their attachment style and is not the type to work on self improvement it would depend on the relationship and the extent to which they have those traits. Lamb posted some of the traits, so they could be just dealt with per trait, per situation. I do believe it also helps to have or provide a secure figure of attachment to help change their attachment style.

 

[Messy]

How do you deal with someone with an anxious attachment style?

If it's a cat or a rabbit I help em relax. If it's a person who wants a relationship, I run quick and far. For just friends it's no problem, as long as they don't demand I give them my time.