Hi, I’m Dr. Jodi Aman, and welcome to another episode of Anxiety, I’m So Done with You! Today, we’re tackling a topic that affects many of us in our relationships: avoidant attachment. You may have heard about attachment styles before, but we're diving deeper into what it means to have avoidant behaviors, why they develop, and how they impact our ability to connect with others. I’m excited to share insights, real-life stories, and practical tips to help you navigate these challenges, so let’s get started!

In this episode, Dr. Jodi Aman explores the concept of avoidant attachment, a behavior pattern where individuals withdraw from intimacy and closeness in relationships. She begins by explaining the roots of avoidant attachment, emphasizing that it often stems from past trauma and a deep-seated fear of vulnerability. Dr. Jodi discusses how avoidant behaviors can manifest, such as distancing, shutting down during conflicts, or avoiding emotional conversations, and she emphasizes the importance of understanding these behaviors as a coping mechanism rather than a flaw.

Throughout the episode, Dr. Jodi shares practical advice on how to recognize avoidant tendencies, both in yourself and your partners, and offers strategies to address them. She highlights the need for open communication, empathy, and setting clear boundaries to create healthier relationships. Additionally, the episode features live coaching segments where Dr. Jodi provides insights to guests navigating relationships with avoidant partners, offering listeners real-world examples of how to manage these dynamics.

1. Avoidant Attachment is a Coping Mechanism: Avoidant behaviors often stem from past trauma or fears of vulnerability. Recognizing this can help in responding with empathy and understanding.
2. Clear Communication and Boundaries are Essential: Setting clear expectations and boundaries can help both partners feel secure, reducing the need for avoidance.
3. Encouraging Open Dialogue: Gently inviting your partner to share their feelings without pressure can build trust and encourage more openness.
4. Prioritize Self-Worth: Maintaining a sense of self-worth and not sacrificing your needs to accommodate avoidant behaviors is crucial.
5. Healing Requires Participation from Both Partners: Lasting change can only occur if both individuals are willing to work through their fears and address the underlying issues.

• Join Dr. Jodi's Activate Online Therapy Group to gain access to guided discussions, support, and exclusive resources for empaths https://jodiaman.com/activate/
• Watch the video of this episode at the blog: https://jodiaman.com/blog/understanding-avoidant-attachment/
• Dr. Jodi Aman’s YouTube Channel: @DoctorJodi
• Setting Boundaries Blog Post: https://jodiaman.com/blog/setting-boundaries/
• Generation Z Mental Health Resource Guide: jodiaman.com/guide
• Redirect Positive Mindset Cards jodiaman.com/order-redirect-flash-cards
• EnCompass SEL Class Activity jodiaman.com/order-encompass-game
• Anxiety, I'm So Done with You! Book

Thank you so much for listening to Anxiety, I'm So Done With You! If you enjoyed today’s episode, please take a moment to leave a five-star review on Apple Podcasts and share it with someone who needs inspiration or help to heal!  ger, happier generation! 

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About Dr. Jodi: 

Jodi Aman is a social work doctor with 28 years of experience in clinical practice. She helps clients heal from trauma, understand the world, and reclaim self-confidence. She created C.O.M.P.A.S.S., an emotional wellness curriculum for middle and high school health classes designed to mitigate symptoms of anxiety and depression.

You can find her live-streamed talk show on her YouTube channel @doctorjodi, where she discusses topics unique to Generation Z. Also, watch her TEDx Wilmington talk, "Calm Anxious Kids," and read her award-winning book, Anxiety… I'm So Done with You! to learn how to understand and reverse the current mental health crisis. More about Jodi

You’re listening to the Anxiety I'm So Done with You! Podcast with Doctor Jodi. 

We hope to ease the minds of “the anxious generation.” To do that, this show will guide emerging adults, their parents, and helpers, galvanizing them to release toxic stress, achieve emotional wellness, and hardwire their brains for a happy and meaningful life.

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Do you, or does someone you love, have anxiety or ADHD? Do you struggle with motivation and worry about your future? Keep listening. 

As a psychotherapist, I have worked with young people for 28 years, and I’ve seen and understood the nuances of Generation Z from this rare perspective.

Guess what I discovered? Your brain is not broken. You are having a regular human response to the context of this crazy world. You don’t have to feel like this; you can feel better!

Tune in live every Monday at 8 PM E on @doctorjodi or binge the recordings. We’ll have relieving conversations, exciting guests, and inspirational stories that will show you how to get rid of worry, recover your energetic bandwidth, and grok a socially conscious life of overflowing joy.