{"id":68087,"date":"2021-07-19T08:28:51","date_gmt":"2021-07-19T08:28:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/?p=68087"},"modified":"2025-12-09T06:48:09","modified_gmt":"2025-12-09T06:48:09","slug":"what-is-attachment-anxiety","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/mental-health\/what-is-attachment-anxiety\/","title":{"rendered":"What Is Attachment Anxiety: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment and Coping Strategies"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

\"Young<\/p>\n

Have you looked up some signs in your partner online, and you are forced to ask the question, “what is attachment anxiety?”<\/span><\/p>\n

Attachment anxiety is the anxiety people experience in their relationships with people they have meaningful ties with in their lives, like parents, friends, and romantic partners.<\/span><\/p>\n

Generally, attachment anxiety takes its root from childhood experiences and becomes fully blown when the individuals are adults. Attachment anxiety tends to impair relationships if it is not addressed correctly.<\/span><\/p>\n

This article will dive deep into the concept of anxious attachment and what it entails, particularly in romantic relationships.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span>What is attachment anxiety in relationships?<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n

The anxiety people experience in their romantic relationships because of the fear of rejection, dependency, infidelity, jealousy, clinginess, excessive closeness, commitment, etc., is referred to as attachment anxiety in relationships. <\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span>What is the difference between attachment anxiety and general anxiety?<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n

While attachment anxiety is a disorder, general anxiety is a normal occurrence in everyday life that disappears with the situation. General anxiety is a natural thing, and everyone experiences it daily. <\/span><\/p>\n

You experience general anxiety about common things, such as a new test, public speaking, or visiting a new place. In contrast, you need to seek considerable measures or professional help to deal with attachment anxiety.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span>Symptoms of attachment anxiety<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n

Do you want a broad idea of how individuals with attachment anxiety behave? Here are some common symptoms of anxious attachment to watch out for.<\/span><\/p>\n

1. Constant reassurance of love and support<\/b><\/h3>\n

Someone with attachment anxiety will constantly need their partner to reaffirm their love and support to temporarily quell their budding insecurity. <\/span><\/p>\n

If they don’t get this reaffirmation often, their insecurity gets out of hand and affects the relationship.<\/span><\/p>\n

Related Reading:<\/i><\/b> Seeking Reassurance in a Relationship? 12 Ways to Rest Assured<\/span><\/i><\/a><\/pre>\n
2. Fear of being underrated and underappreciated<\/b><\/h3>\n
If you notice that your partner always underrates or underappreciates themselves, there is a chance they have an anxious attachment. <\/span><\/p>\n
They will always feel they are not enough for you and can even give you reasons to look elsewhere, even though they don’t mean it.<\/span><\/p>\n
In fact, an extensive study done on the insecure attachment style at the University of Minnesota titled Adult Attachment, Stress, and Romantic Relationships has highlighted how partners react to <\/span>the feeling of being underappreciated as one of the major symptoms<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n
3. The feeling of uncertainty and distrust<\/b><\/h3>\n
One of the common <\/span>anxious attachment<\/span><\/a> disorders in adults, particularly those in a relationship, is the feeling of not being sure if they can rely on their partner.<\/span><\/p>\n
This is one of the reasons why they are insecure because they don’t think their partner can be counted on.<\/span><\/p>\n
Watch this video to learn more about how to build trust.<\/span><\/p>\n