Dating, Decoded:

Avoidant Attachment

What is avoidant attachment? Why closeness can feel like a threat, explained.

Avoidant attachment is valuing independence so strongly that closeness starts to feel like a threat, leading to pulling away or needing a lot of space, especially as things get more serious. Often mistaken for not caring, when it's really discomfort with vulnerability. Recognizing the pattern doesn't fix it overnight, but explains a lot of otherwise confusing behavior.

See: Anxious Attachment, Secure Attachment