Conscious Connections
The Anxious-Avoidant Attachment – Why they attract & How to Heal
Chances are you’ve heard about the dynamic duo that is the ‘anxious-avoidant relationship.’ These two attachment styles get a reputation for good reason – because when someone with an avoidant attachment style syncs up with an individual with an anxious attachment style, the relational dance that ensues is… intense. For many reasons.
When these two individuals collide in a relationship, it’s like yin and yang. They both feel a strong draw for the other, partly because the avoidant partner can feel so steady while the anxious partner can seem so open. But ultimately, the attraction is powerful due to the familiar spark that keeps them chasing and withdrawing.
In this article, we’re going to explore why. We’ll dive deep into the anxious-avoidant relationship dynamic to understand how these two styles interact with each other. But first, let’s start with a brief overview of how each attachment style works.
When trust is violated – Why betrayal makes it hard to trust & How to heal
Of all the relational experiences we can go through, betrayal is one of the most severe and painful. Betrayal can shatter our sense of safety, our identity, and our ability to trust our own judgment. And when we’re hurt by the very person we used to go to for comfort, the fallout will be even more complex due to the disorienting push-pull dynamic.
Betrayal doesn’t exist in a vacuum, and it’s so much more than a relational rupture. It’s a catastrophic experience that the nervous system processes as a threat to safety and connection – and for many people, that threat registers as traumatic.