Common Avoidant Attachment Triggers
This is not an exhaustive list.
What is a Trigger?
Triggers are some sort of stimuli (words, people, objects, scents, situations, songs, movies, etc.) that remind you of the traumatic event which trigger re-experiencing the event through symptoms such as:
Nightmares
Stress
Overwhelming thoughts
Heart racing
Sweating
Shaking
Panic
And more
Avoidant Attachment Triggers Can Include
When you feel like someone is emotionally demanding/needy
When you feel like someone wants to spend constant time with you to talk/do things
When someone needs consistent reassurance and validation from you
When someone moves too quickly/fast for you
When someone texts/emails/calls/communicates with you consistently
When someone touches you physically (hugs, hand holding, etc.)
When someone forces you to do something you don’t want to do
When someone “confronts” you
When someone criticizes you
When someone tells you what to do
When someone doesn’t respect your boundaries
When someone gives you a compliment you find difficult to accept
When someone gives you a gift and you find it difficult to accept it
When someone comes to your home/apartment/room/living space
When there are major conflict and disagreements
When someone forces you to talk about something you don’t want to talk about (aggressive communication)
When someone is more spontaneous than you are due to wanting structure/a plan/control/etc.
When your fear of intimacy arises
When you feel like you’re getting too close to someone (lack of control and sense of agency)
When you begin to truly like someone
When you feel overwhelmed emotionally
When you have more stressors outside of your control (lack of control)
When your current coping tools/skills aren’t as effective/helpful in alleviating your stress and overwhelm
When you feel pressured to do something
When you feel like someone will reject or abandon you
When you feel unsafe
When you feel scared
When you feel mistrustful
When you feel high levels of anxiety
Lack of space
Sex
Physical touch
Surprises
Receiving gifts
Receiving compliments
And more