How we connect with others often depends on our attachment style, and attachment theory says there are four main ways people relate in intimate relationships: secure, anxious, dismissive-avoidant, and fearful-avoidant. Each attachment style influences how you handle relationships, including breakups.
A fearful-avoidant attachment style combines both anxious and avoidant traits. People with this style want to connect with others, but they also fear rejection and struggle with vulnerability. This internal conflict can make relationships tricky and breakups especially challenging.
When a relationship ends, most people experience a series of stages, such as denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. But someone with a fearful-avoidant attachment style may experience these phases differently. The stages aren’t always linear, and how they play out depends on the individuals involved and the relationship itself.
Dealing with a breakup is hard enough, but understanding the fearful avoidant breakup stages can give you insight into what your partner or ex-partner is going through. By understanding their attachment style, you can navigate the situation with more empathy and self-awareness, ultimately promoting healing for both of you.