April 21, 2025

Fearful Avoidant vs. Dismissive Avoidant: Soothing vs. Numbing Explained

16 minutes

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Why do avoidant attachment styles turn to numbing instead of soothing—and what’s the cost?

In this eye-opening episode of The Thais Gibson Podcast, Thais breaks down the difference between true self-soothing and numbing behaviors in fearful and dismissive avoidant individuals. From emotional eating to shopping, gambling, or overconsuming media, these behaviors often mask deeper unmet needs for comfort, safety, and connection.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

✔️ Why fearful and dismissive avoidants struggle to self-soothe in healthy ways

✔️ How childhood conditioning leads to numbing behaviors as a survival mechanism

✔️ The neuroscience behind why we repeat unhealthy patterns despite knowing better

✔️ How to rewire addictive behaviors by identifying the real needs underneath

✔️ Why creature comforts like food, porn, or spending are often misused as coping tools

✔️ Simple daily practices to shift from coping to healing (without judgment)

Whether you’re avoidantly attached or supporting someone who is, this episode offers a powerful roadmap to break free from numbing loops and create lasting emotional regulation.

Meet Your Host:

Thais Gibson is the founder of The Personal Development School, a best-selling author, and a leader in healing attachment wounds. With a Ph.D. and over 13 certifications, she’s guided more than 70,000 students in reprogramming subconscious patterns for deeper connection and freedom.

Helpful Resources:

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#fearfulavoidant #dismissiveavoidant #attachmentstyles #emotionalnumbing #selfsoothing #addictivebehaviors #attachmenttheorypodcast #reprogramming #emotionalregulation

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By Thais Gibson

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