I've been told I have this affliction...that is worse than all other afflictions that one can be afflicted by. Why God why?
Why is anxious attachment style a turn off?
I have an anxious attachment style, but these days, it's a dysfunctional attachment style--I'll switch between avoidant or anxious depending on the situation. The two main ways to improve your attachment style are:
1A. Be more self-reliant through actions. Find hobbies or things that allow you to be completely fine in solitude. Also, find places to fully express yourself and feel understood. That way, you won't be thirsty for other people to satisfy your needs to feel understood, especially when you're suffering. Use a book to express all of your sad thoughts or use this forum or use any kind of forum to let out all your sadness or talk to someone who you know you can trust. If you don't deal with your emotional needs, then you start leaking your emotional needs onto acquaintances. Acquaintances end up feeling it and consequently, become very weirded out.
1B. Be more self-reliant mentally. Don't allow yourself to need someone else. See it more as company that you enjoy, but you won't die without it. You can attach to things when you have a track record of the relationship being safe--attaching too early can feel like putting handcuffs on a snake: the snake will just slither away. Signs the relationship is safe is maybe ask them what they feel about a celebrity coming out on their mental health issues. Are they dismissive? Are they understanding? That's how they'll treat you if you ever decide to be close and open up about yourself.
2. Be in tune with the other person. Don't worry too much about the logistical side of the relationship and where you want it to go. What you want to do is notice how much effort and enthusiasm they are putting in and putting in just around the same amount. You can start off the conversation with a neutral tone and a good amount of attention, but then notice how much attention they are giving to you after you give them some. If they just respond with 3 words, they do NOT want to talk to you unless they're a horrible texter. If they're online a lot, unless they're disabled or something, they're definitely not interested.