anxiousavoidant

Anxious-avoidant, often described as anxious-avoidant attachment or fearful-avoidant attachment, refers to a pattern of interpersonal functioning marked by a combination of anxiety about abandonment and a tendency to avoid closeness. It is discussed within attachment theory rather than as a formal clinical diagnosis and is considered a type of insecure attachment that can exist along a continuum with other styles such as secure, anxious-preoccupied, and dismissive-avoidant.

The concept arises from early caregiving experiences. Anxious-avoidant patterns are thought to develop when caregivers are inconsistent, unpredictable, or frightening, teaching the child to doubt others’ availability while still seeking closeness. Traumatic experiences or neglect can contribute to this pattern, though it is not exclusive to such histories. In some frameworks, anxious-avoidant is related to disorganized attachment.

In terms of lived experience, individuals may simultaneously long for connection and fear intimacy. They might worry about rejection while maintaining emotional distance as a protective strategy. In relationships, this can produce ambivalence, with episodes of clinginess followed by withdrawal, challenges in sustaining trust, and difficulty balancing dependence and independence.

Assessment is typically carried out in research or clinical contexts using self-report measures and interview-based assessments of adult attachment. It is not a DSM diagnosis. Treatment aims to enhance emotional regulation, improve communication, and foster more secure patterns of relating, often through approaches such as psychodynamic therapy, schema-focused therapy, or emotionally focused therapy.

See also: attachment theory, fearful-avoidant attachment, anxious-preoccupied, dismissive-avoidant, disorganized attachment.