Despite decades of research and academic papers, until recently very few people had heard of attachment theory. Now, it’s breaking through into the mainstream, which we think is a very positive thing as it proves wonderful insights into how people vary in their approach to relationships.

While there are plenty of resources on the internet, If you want a deeper understanding of attachment theory and how it impacts relationships, we highly recommend the book ‘Attached’. Co-authored by Dr. Levine, a renowned psychiatrist who has spent over two decades studying attachment theory, and Rachel Heller, the book offers a deep yet easy-to-follow summary of the three most common attachment styles: anxious, avoidant, and secure. 

Importantly, the book also talks about how to navigate your particular style. While quite deeply embedded, our attachment styles are not permanently fixed, and they can change throughout our lives based on our experiences and the way we navigate situations. 

What this means is that someone with an avoidant attachment style can learn to become more secure – and vice versa. But it starts with encountering one’s own patterns and consciously working on them! 

In addition to exploring the science behind attachment, the book also offers tips for  how to identify other people’s attachment styles when dating and how to address any potential issues that may arise.

We recommend purchasing the hard copy of Attached over the audiobook, as there are many helpful tables and cheat sheets that you may want to refer back to when navigating relationships. 

Overall, if you’re unsure why you act a certain way in relationships, learning about Attachment styles has the transformative potential to help identify your attachment style, any problems that stem from it, and how to stop these problems from ruining your relationships.