Anxious-Preoccupied Attachment

Anxious-preoccupied attachment, also known as anxious-ambivalent attachment, is an excessive desire for closeness and intimacy, with a deep fear of abandonment and rejection. Individuals with this attachment style constantly seek validation and reassurance from others, are highly attuned to their partner’s moods and actions, take things personally, and often act clingy or needy — as if they’re not worthy of love and affection. The more they distrust others, the more they interpret actions or words as signs of rejection or disinterest, leading to low self-esteem, insecurity, obsessive jealousy, and possessiveness. Their overreactions to perceived threats often lead to arguments or conflict. Causes are from early experience of inconsistent, emotionally unavailable, or absent caregiving, along with trauma.