When you grow up with chronic loneliness, it is common to be either clingy or distant in relationships—here’s why.
You might become clingy to stay connected. As humans, connection is a biological imperative. You might find an impulse to stay close to those around you and feel panic if there is distance. This makes sense because you didn’t get the connection and care you needed when you were younger, which can cause anxious attachment as an adult.
When you grow up with loneliness, you might find you are distant in relationships as an adult and find it challenging to be close to those you love. This makes sense because nobody was there when you reached out for a connection as a child. You learnt to take care of yourself and become independent too soon. This can make relying on anyone else feel incredibly unsafe. This is what avoidant attachment in adulthood can feel like.
To learn more about attachment styles, check out my book, “Heal Your Anxious Attachment,” available from all major book retailers.
