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5 Signs You Might Be a Stage-Five Clinger, According to a Psychologist

Constant reassurance, fear of abandonment, and panic around boundaries may be signs your attachment anxiety is taking over.

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We all have our own (sometimes unhealthy) relationship habits, and self-awareness is the first step to addressing them. Patterns like excessive people-pleasing or clinginess often stem from insecurity and a fear of rejection or abandonment. Sometimes, it’s also evidence of a weak or incompatible connection. 

Whatever the case, if you express your love through clinginess, it might be time to take a step back and reflect. Here are five signs you might be a stage-five clinger.

1. You Are Hypervigilant to Signs of Abandonment

Hypervigilance in and of itself often results from trauma. Our nervous systems can remain on high alert, especially following betrayal or abandonment.

According to Dr. Timothy J. Nguyen, Licensed Psychologist and EFT Couples Therapist at BalanceHour Therapy, this might look like “constantly scanning and monitoring your partner’s mood, tone of voice, and response times while trying to anticipate their feelings about you.”

“Your brain may be constantly alert for detecting threats by continuously........

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