Does Withdrawing Ever Work in Relationships?

[@monicagallegos654]

I love this ! Thanks

[@AnnaNotSmith]

This is amazing! I enjoyed hearing your perspective and find it helpful

[@realterryreal]

Thank you Anna! Glad it resonated.

[@samanthacash7755]

What exactly is the difference between "protecting yourself and leaving" and withdrawing?

[@Jaguarsnake]

Avoiding/withdrawing does come from fear. Usually the avoidant has an enmeshed caregiver and bc they are enmeshed, they fear engulfment from their romantic partner. They are afraid, but it isn't the parter they fear, it's the enmeshed parent, yet they rarely decide to unenmesh. Once it was survival, as a child. It was adaptive then and maladaptive as an adult. It sucks for both involved.

[@samanthacash7755]

@ it probably sucks for the parent too. Enmeshing is likely a defensive reaction to the fears of parenthood.