Understanding Attachment Styles

Where attachment styles come from

Attachment theory suggests that early relationships with caregivers shape patterns we carry into adult relationships.

The four styles

• Secure — comfortable with closeness and independence
• Anxious — craves closeness, fears abandonment
• Avoidant — values independence, uncomfortable with closeness
• Disorganized — a mix of anxious and avoidant patterns

Can attachment style change?

Yes. With awareness and, often, supportive relationships or therapy, attachment patterns can shift toward more secure functioning over time.