Attachment Styles / Types and Characteristics of Attachment Disorders: Diagnosis and Self-Check

 

Under the supervision of a physician, a licensed psychologist has compiled information on the types and characteristics of attachment styles, their diagnosis, and methods for checking them. Please feel free to take a look.

 

 

<Created: 2025.9.26 / Last Updated: 2025.9.26>

※When using content from this site, such as through reprinting, please kindly cite this site as the source or provide a link.

		Author of this Article Ichitaro Miki — Certified Public Psychologist Graduated from Osaka University; Completed Master's Program at Osaka University Graduate School Engaged in psychological clinical practice for over 20 years. Specializes in trauma and attachment disorders that cause various struggles and difficulties in life. Author of books including “Developmental Trauma: The True Nature of ‘Difficulty in Life’” (cumulative sales approx. 40,000 copies), numerous TV program appearances, drama production collaboration/supervision, web media, and magazine features. Click here for full profile

		Medical Supervision for This Article Dr. Keiro Iijima (Psychosomatic Medicine, etc.) Not only a specialist in psychosomatic medicine, but also a clinical psychologist, Kampo physician, and general practitioner, with expertise across these fields. He specializes particularly in treating medically unexplained symptoms and autonomic nervous system disorders. View full profile here

・Certified psychologists write, explain, and present key points based on years of clinical experience and client experiences (particularly from the perspective of attachment and trauma therapy).

・We reference specialized books and objective data to the best of our knowledge.

・We strive to incorporate the latest research findings whenever possible.

・This article has been translated from the original Japanese using AI. Therefore, it may contain unnatural translations, particularly for specialized terms.

 

 

Table of Contents

　・How to Assess Attachment Styles~Which Style Are You?

　・Avoidant Type

　・Anxious Type

　・Disorganized Type

　・Secure Type

 

　→Related Articles Here

　　・What is Attachment Disorder? Its Characteristics and Symptoms

　　・How to Heal Adult Attachment Disorder: 5 Essential Points

　　・Characteristics and Treatment of Childhood Attachment Disorders: Four Key Points for Nurturing Attachment

 

　

How to Assess Attachment Styles~Which Style Are You?

　Attachment patterns, or attachment styles, are broadly categorized into four types. We will introduce each pattern below. It's important to note that people are rarely neatly divided into one specific pattern; most individuals possess elements of multiple styles.

 

For infants, the “Strange Situation Procedure (SSP)” observation method is used. For adults, the “Adult Attachment Interview” is employed to determine their attachment style. ※Patterns are referred to as “attachment patterns” for those under 18 and “attachment styles” for those 18 and older.

 

Those wishing to learn their attachment style can take a simple assessment on the page below.

(Reference)→“Attachment Style Diagnostic Test”

 

 

　Furthermore, beyond the test, you can generally figure out your type by reading the characteristics of each style summarized below and considering whether they apply to you. When doing so, please focus on the proportions rather than trying to pinpoint one specific style out of the four. For example, think in terms of “about 60% Avoidant, 30% Secure, and 10% Anxious.”

　

 

Avoidant Style

・Characteristics of the Avoidant Type

　True to its name, the Avoidant type has had limited interaction with caregivers and does not use them as a secure base during exploratory behavior. They show no anxiety or resistance when caregivers leave and exhibit indifference or avoidance upon reunion. This is attributed to parental involvement that is rejecting, avoidant, or controlling toward the child. Even as adults, they avoid intimacy and prefer distant interpersonal relationships. They do not find close relationships or emotional sharing comfortable.

The most important thing for the Avoidant type is “not being tied down.” They value independence and self-reliance above all, avoid causing trouble for others, and place great importance on personal responsibility. They give a cool, detached impression and rarely get genuinely passionate about anything. They tend to be averse to hassle. They are emotionally numb, using this numbness as a form of self-protection. Fundamentally, they lack a secure base, and their lack of self-confidence drives their avoidance.  

In severe cases, this can lead to dissociative symptoms like memory lapses or antisocial personality disorder. They are also considered prone to depression and anxiety disorders. Their suicide risk is estimated to be about five times higher than that of secure individuals.

 

 

＜Background＞

The background (causes) often involve a nurturing environment where the caregiver's parenting style lacks affection and is overly controlling. Furthermore, it is said to be exacerbated by low paternal involvement. Individuals often report rarely being praised during childhood. Being raised in institutions like children's homes also tends to lead to avoidant attachment. Physical abuse is also associated with developing avoidant attachment.

 

In adults, those with an avoidant attachment style often find it difficult to recall childhood experiences. When they do recall, their memories tend to lack specificity or contain contradictory answers. Characteristically, memories and emotions related to past negative experiences are suppressed, and they do not place value on attachment itself.

They tend to overly idealize or respond positively about their parents and family. However, they often cannot recall specific episodes and may react by saying family matters were not particularly important. Upon detailed questioning, it becomes clear they received little attention from their parents.

 

 

＜Interpersonal Characteristics＞

They find little meaning in time spent with peers and generally dislike being with others. They dislike conflict with others and tend to avoid confrontations. They struggle with self-disclosure and self-expression. They may have a desire to hide things. When stressed, they might react with aggressive words or actions. They often appear calm but have a tendency to explode when pushed.

Children may show no reaction when separated from their parents (whereas typically they would cry or show signs of sadness). Even when parents return, they may not display affectionate behavior. They show no signs of attachment behavior even when the parent returns. They tend to struggle with empathetically understanding others' pain. Even when sad events happen to partners or family members, they rarely show much empathy or understanding. They often feel anger when asked for help by a partner. They frequently fail to notice when they are hurting others. In childhood, they may even become the bully.

They tend not to engage in attachment behaviors even when stressed. As a result, they may exhibit defiance or aggression later in life. As adults, they often excessively avoid interpersonal relationships.

 

 

＜Characteristics at Work＞

They are less swayed by emotions, making them adept at calm judgment. They can demonstrate high concentration in work or hobbies and assert themselves effectively.

 

 

 

 

Anxious Type

・Characteristics of the Anxious Type

As the name “Anxious Type” suggests, intense anxiety is a defining feature. They experience particularly strong “fear of abandonment.” Anxiety is pronounced in all situations, and they remain emotionally unstable even with caregivers. Consequently, they rarely engage in exploratory behavior, even when caregivers are present. A characteristic feature is seeking contact with caregivers while simultaneously resisting it intensely.

 

They constantly monitor others' moods, often responding with excessive politeness, appeasement, or compliance even to unreasonable demands. The slightest hint of rejection triggers intense anxiety that is difficult to alleviate. They have low self-worth and perceive others as entities that will hurt or criticize them. They tend to be prone to bullying during childhood.

They depend on those close to them, relying on these individuals to validate their existence and somehow maintain their sense of identity. They mistakenly believe that the effort they put into being attentive is directly proportional to how much the other person values them (of course, this isn't the case, so their efforts often go unrewarded).

 

 

＜Background＞

The background (cause) lies in inconsistent parenting styles and low sensitivity to the child's behavior. Examples include parents who are overly attentive at times and indifferent at others, showing extreme fluctuations, or who are overly sensitive and overbearing. It is also influenced by parents who are highly anxious and unstable, overly sensitive, or living in an environment marked by illness and anxiety.

　Consequently, while seeking affection, they harbor a constant fear that harsh treatment might be imminent. They perceive affection as not being unconditional. Feelings of seeking affection coexist with feelings of rejection.

 

　In adults, they remain excessively fixated on past attachment relationships, making it difficult to objectively reflect on their childhood or their relationship with their parents. They remain conflicted about their dependence on their parents, unable to integrate the negative feelings toward them stored in their memory, resulting in inconsistent narratives. They may only offer vague answers, feel anger at questions prompting recollection of the past, or become easily overwhelmed by negative emotions as if the past events were happening right now.

They are prone to developing anxiety disorders or depression. Women are considered particularly susceptible to postpartum depression.

 

 

＜Interpersonal Characteristics＞

They exhibit extreme behaviors of both seeking attachment and rejecting it. They tend to become dependent on others or form overly clingy relationships. They have a tendency to quickly enter romantic relationships. Even when the relationship is typically formal, like a work relationship, they may misinterpret it and immediately develop romantic feelings.

 

This is thought to stem from an inability to objectively perceive attachment dynamics. While they can quickly read others' emotions, their interpretations are often inaccurate. For example, they might mistake someone who is simply unfriendly for being angry.

　 Anxious individuals are very kind and considerate when maintaining distance, creating a comfortable atmosphere. However, once intimacy develops, they tend to become overly close, dependent, and possessive, often leaning heavily on the other person. This stems from a reaction to unstable childhood attachment, leading to excessively high expectations of their attachment figure. Consequently, their dissatisfaction becomes more pronounced.

They simultaneously hold both positive and negative attitudes toward their partner. Whether they feel loved by their partner carries immense weight. Consequently, they may view sex and similar acts as crucial confirmations of affection. They experience intense jealousy and suspicion, repeatedly engaging in excessive behaviors to verify they are loved.  

Such behavior can feel overwhelming to ordinary people. They tend to harshly project stress and dissatisfaction onto their partner. They easily harbor feelings that their partner isn't doing enough. The partner, faced with unreasonable anger, becomes distant, leading to a vicious cycle. Prone to holding onto negative emotions, they may repeatedly harp on their partner's infidelity or mistakes for years.

They tend to blurt out negative remarks. Driven by a strong sense of victimization—feeling the other person disregards them—they deliberately hurl negative words at their partner. They have a tendency to use words that wound the other person's pride. While attacking others, they also tend to attack themselves, easily falling into self-loathing, which can lead to depression and similar issues.

＜Characteristics at Work＞

Strong anxiety means they often feel pressured by expectations or praise, which can actually lower their performance.
They frequently evaluate negatively those who have criticized them.

 

 

 

Disorganized Type

 

・Characteristics of the Disorganized Type

The disorganized type often results from a complex interplay of avoidant and anxious traits, creating a highly unstable pattern. It is thought to arise more frequently in cases of abuse or significantly unstable parenting. Essentially, the parent's inconsistent responses cause the child's communication patterns to become similarly chaotic.

One person feels anxious and wants to be friendly with others, but becomes stressed and hurt when intimacy develops. They tend to be unable to open up about themselves, yet also have a strong desire to rely on others.

The emotional wounds from the parent relationship remain unhealed. Because the wound is open, even minor events can trigger a relapse into the disorganized state. While they may show some stability during development, separation or isolation can plunge them back into chaos. They are considered highly susceptible to developing borderline personality disorder or dissociative disorders.

 

 

＜Background＞

The background (causes) often involve traumatic experiences from abuse or inadequate parenting. It is also more likely to develop when raised in extremely unreasonable environments by disorganized-type parents, or conversely, by overly strict and controlling parents.

 

In adults, trauma related to attachment—such as rejection, separation, abuse, inadequate parenting, or loss experienced with parents—may remain psychologically unresolved, causing persistent subconscious feelings of fear.

Regarding childhood or relationships with parents, their responses may lack coherence or logic, often being incomprehensible. When they do answer, their responses tend to be lengthy, oddly detailed, or disjointed.

 

 

＜Interpersonal Characteristics＞

Unlike anxious types, they struggle to be affectionate. They cannot maintain distance from others like avoidant types. When they seek closeness and intimacy, things often go wrong. They interpret even minor actions by the other person as neglect and find it hard to trust them.

 

 

 

 

Secure Type

Before separation from caregivers, they use caregivers as a “secure base” for exploratory behavior. When separated, they show resistance and anxiety.
However, upon reunion with caregivers, contact resolves the stress of separation and stabilizes their emotions.

 

＜Background＞

The background (cause) involves a nurturing environment where the relationship with the attachment figure was positive during the attachment formation period, from around six months to two or three years of age. While sufficient care is provided in child-rearing, it is neither overly protective nor overly controlling. Even if the nurturing environment is somewhat unstable, individuals who are constitutionally less prone to becoming entangled in negative situations are also more likely to exhibit the secure type.

 

In adults, past events and positive or negative memories and feelings toward parents are integrated and consistent in content. Because the attachment that serves as a secure base is stable, they can hold their own opinions, engage with society frankly, positively, and with confidence.

 

＜Interpersonal Characteristics＞

　Their bonds are stable, and they naturally trust that those who love them will continue to do so forever. They can easily ask for help or seek advice. They interpret others' reactions positively, avoiding cynical views or misunderstandings. They are also less swayed by how others might react.

They do not fear hurting others by rejecting them, nor do they excessively accommodate others. They believe that exchanging thoughts frankly fosters mutual understanding through sincerity. They can speak honestly while remembering the context and showing consideration for the other person. They remain objective, not feeling threatened by the other person's stance.

　Even when facing separation, while they may feel sad for a time, they do not get caught up in negative emotions or become unnecessarily unstable.

 

＜Characteristics at Work＞

They are characterized by a good balance between work and interpersonal relationships, approaching their work with enjoyment. They are not prone to accumulating stress.

 

 

 

※ When using content from this site (e.g., through reprinting), please kindly cite this site as the source or provide a link.

(References & Sources)

Junichi Shoji, Makiko Okuyama, Mari Kubota “Attachment” (Akashi Shobo)
Mari Kubota “Research on Attachment” (Kawashima Shoten)
Miyuki Kazui, Toshihiko Endo “Attachment: Bonds Across the Lifespan” (Minerva Shobo)
Miyuki Kazui, Toshihiko Endo “Attachment and Clinical Practice” (Minerva Shobo)
Takashi Okada, “Attachment Breakdown” (Kadokawa Sensho)
Tadashi Okada, “Attachment Disorder” (Kobunsha)

Takashi Okada, “Overcoming Attachment Disorders” (Kobunsha)
Kazuhiro Takigawa, Takaji Kobayashi, Toshiro Sugiyama, Shozo Aoki “The Science of Child Development: Attachment and Bonds”
“Child-Rearing Support and Psychological Clinical Practice vol.9 September 2014: Attachment Theory and Psychological Clinical Practice”

Keiko Takahashi “The Psychology of Human Relationships: The Lifespan Development of the Love Network” (The University of Tokyo Press)

Keiko Takahashi, “The Structure of Bonds” (Kodansha Gendai Shinsho)

Shuko Aiko, “Can Attachment Disorders Be Cured?” (Kafu-sha)

Joji Kanda-bashi, “Notes on Psychoanalysis for Treatment” (Sogensha)