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Insecure in Love: How Anxious Attachment Can Make You Feel Jealous, Needy, and Worried and What You Can Do About It
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Paperback, 200 pages
Published
June 1st 2014
by New Harbinger Publications
(first published May 1st 2014)
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Start your review of Insecure in Love: How Anxious Attachment Can Make You Feel Jealous, Needy, and Worried and What You Can Do About It
OK I wrote a review but I think the app ate it!
This book is good BUT THE FRAMING SUCKS SO MUCH. I am not "Insecure in Love," I am a person with a trauma-related attachment disorder that is totally normal. I think the tools in this book are great but it is wrapped in this "Men are From Mars, Women are From Venus" kinda pop facade that at times felt hurtful and demeaning. It's super heteronomative and super focused on romantic relationships (when it doesn't need to be! attachment is about ALLLLLL ...more
This book is good BUT THE FRAMING SUCKS SO MUCH. I am not "Insecure in Love," I am a person with a trauma-related attachment disorder that is totally normal. I think the tools in this book are great but it is wrapped in this "Men are From Mars, Women are From Venus" kinda pop facade that at times felt hurtful and demeaning. It's super heteronomative and super focused on romantic relationships (when it doesn't need to be! attachment is about ALLLLLL ...more
I feel like this is one of the most insightful books I’ve read on relationships — with applications to friendships as well as romances. Worth reading if you want to better understand the dynamics that often underpin difficult emotional behaviors, whether from yourself or others.
This book helped me understand myself in a way that I never did before.
Think of it as cheap therapy.
Think of it as cheap therapy.
I got this as a first reads giveaway. First, I should say I am biased against self-help books, especially those about relationships. I wanted it to give to a particular friend who does suffer from some severe relationship anxiety. I also wanted to read it before giving it to her, not only as it is the spirit of first reads, but as a trained counselor, I wanted to ensure the information would help rather than cause more harm to her. I must say I was pleasantly surprised. Attachment theory is inte
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This book gives lots of practical application and exercises to work through issues surrounding anxious attachment. I felt like it was helpful for me in giving insight into how I deal with my anxiety in relationships. I still feel like I could read it again and get more out of it. There's lots to process and work through. Would recommend for anyone struggling with insecure attachment.
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A pretty good popular book about attachment theory - specifically, about how anxious attachment can affect your intimate relationships as an adult.
Having recently been cheated on, my mind has been a whirlwind of negative thoughts. Leslie’s book does a decent job of explaining the psychology of everything and even provides action plans to change said introspections.
This just didn't do it for me. While the content seems perfectly useful and informative, it came across very, very dryly. That said, this book may be for you if you're looking for numerous practice exercises. Personally, I gained more insight from Attached: The New Science of Adult Attachment and How It Can Help You Find—and Keep—Love, which was very engaging despite not being quite as neutral.
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This was one of the best relationship books I have ever laid my ears on. For a long time I avoided relationship advice, in hindsight I have no idea why but the second I picked up this book I could not stop listening. It genuinely felt that the author was talking about me and I would highly recommend this title to anyone who may suffer from anxiety or deals with someone on the anxiety-spectrum.
If you are still reading this review, stop I can not say enough good things about author Dr. Phelps and ...more
If you are still reading this review, stop I can not say enough good things about author Dr. Phelps and ...more
Not having read much into this sort of thing before, it was definitely an eye-opening experience as it helped exemplify the somewhat scary instants of a relationship.
From the inability to accept differences to the concept of secure vs. insecure attachment styles, this book seems to round up a nice layout and foundation for couples to work with in their struggles of themselves or in their relationship.
Although explicitly referencing and making mention to anxious-preoccupied attachment styles, the ...more
From the inability to accept differences to the concept of secure vs. insecure attachment styles, this book seems to round up a nice layout and foundation for couples to work with in their struggles of themselves or in their relationship.
Although explicitly referencing and making mention to anxious-preoccupied attachment styles, the ...more
this is the first time i have read a book based on attachment theory and saw and understood my own behaviors and attitudes so clearly laid out. beyond romantic relationships or partnerships, it’s a great help in understanding and improving the relationship with self. and though it is sometimes a painful read, requiring painful and direct acknowledgement and acceptance of ugly parts, it is also incredibly hopeful and empowering to know that there are paths to change and growth. i recommend to any
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This book may be geared more towards a woman's way of thinking. I found it overly complicated in its delivery. The book should be restructured like a "personality color book". Take the test, see where you are, and then read the sections and advice that pertain to you.
Instead, the book is put together in a linear fashion and the advice for all different styles of attachment are lumped together. It can get confusing.
The book is helpful but I feel that some suffering from anxiety would have a hard ...more
Instead, the book is put together in a linear fashion and the advice for all different styles of attachment are lumped together. It can get confusing.
The book is helpful but I feel that some suffering from anxiety would have a hard ...more
I listened to this as an audiobook, but as I listened I felt like it would be a much better book to actually read. The best parts of the book seemed to be the exercises that it took the reader through, and as a listener on my commute, I usually had to just quickly think through the exercises. If you need an overview of attachment theories and how to better yours, this is a good book. However, if you want to study the psychology behind these theories, a more in-depth book would be necessary.
Nothing like a good self help book! As always, I learned some very interesting things! It was a pretty quick read too.
It had some interesting exercises. It was a bit more surface level than I wanted. I wish there had been more extended stories and examples of "clients" or couples. I also felt like it tended to discuss the anxiety attachment personality more than the other types.
Definitely an interesting read. ...more
It had some interesting exercises. It was a bit more surface level than I wanted. I wish there had been more extended stories and examples of "clients" or couples. I also felt like it tended to discuss the anxiety attachment personality more than the other types.
Definitely an interesting read. ...more
Great primer, although as someone who's read a lot about this topic it was a bit on the light-and-fluffy side for me. Would recommend as a super basic introduction to attachment theory and the concept of feeling-your-feelings. However if you've already made significant progress with both of those, it's a book best skimmed.
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I bought this for a friend (I swear!), but whether or not I believe myself to actually be this "sort of person," I did find useful stuff (even though when I took the personality test I got, like the opposite. Secure).
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I'd say this book is definitely useful for those individuals who are anxiously attached. After reading the book Attached by Levine, I myself tested as half anxious preoccupied and half secure. In this relationship particularly I am finding myself to have more anxious traits. However, upon reading this book I did find that I was not as anxiously attached as the target audience for this book suggested. For this reason I found large sections of this book not so relevant to me, however it would defi
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Attachment theory is fascinating and a valuable part of what informs our behaviors. Becker-Phelps, a psychologist, offers a book not only outlining attachment theory, but specifically information for those with anxious/preoccupied attachment. The author communicates psychology concepts in an accessible way, so this can read both as a self-help book, and something to supplement therapy. The exercises offered can be valuable, and clearly come from a CBT perspective. After reviewing attachment theo
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Great tools to help you make sense of heartache
I’m not one to typically write a review, but the reviews for this book are what compelled me to purchase and I’m SO happy I did. This book offers simplistic guidelines on how to identify the root of many personal issues that plague many people in relationships AND offers a neat and easy to follow guideline of how to help curb anxious thoughts and behaviors that sabotage relationships. Consider it a type of manual to identify, address, and curb irrat ...more
I’m not one to typically write a review, but the reviews for this book are what compelled me to purchase and I’m SO happy I did. This book offers simplistic guidelines on how to identify the root of many personal issues that plague many people in relationships AND offers a neat and easy to follow guideline of how to help curb anxious thoughts and behaviors that sabotage relationships. Consider it a type of manual to identify, address, and curb irrat ...more
“Confront the dark parts of yourself, and work to banish them with illumination and forgiveness. Your willingness to wrestle with your demons will cause your angels to sing.Use the pain as fuel, as a reminder of your strength”
“Forgiveness is a vow not to carry bitterness into the future, to decide to give up hope for a better past.”
This book will be going on my re reads section as I think it was very educational in understanding insecure attachment, some excellent exercises to prompt to understa ...more
“Forgiveness is a vow not to carry bitterness into the future, to decide to give up hope for a better past.”
This book will be going on my re reads section as I think it was very educational in understanding insecure attachment, some excellent exercises to prompt to understa ...more
I almost didn't add this book to my shelves (I finished it back in May). I'd be dodging the truth if I didn't acknowledge that I'm mostly posting it because I've fallen behind on my goal of reading 50 books in 2020 - but it was a good read that I read at a time when my anxiety was overwhelming me. I have a loving boyfriend and a good relationship, but as someone who's thought negatively about myself virtually all my life, I'm often (...usually) struggling with insecurity and therefore with anxie
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Written by a licensed psychologist, you will definitely like the book if you need it. Read and re-read whenever you feel like you need it.
Forget the cliché title, the book helps to connect with yourself and your own emotions more than with the other person. After all, I believe that in order to have a good relationship with your partner you need to have a very good and balanced relationship with yourself and your little self first. Also, all the states of mind and feelings mentioned in the title ...more
Forget the cliché title, the book helps to connect with yourself and your own emotions more than with the other person. After all, I believe that in order to have a good relationship with your partner you need to have a very good and balanced relationship with yourself and your little self first. Also, all the states of mind and feelings mentioned in the title ...more
Great book for anyone who wants to learn more about their attachment style, their impulses, behavior & thinking patterns, and how you relate to others.
While this book takes a focus on romantic relationships, I think the attachment theory by John Bowlby pretty much applies to all relationships - i.e. friends, family, etc. You will begin to notice certain things you do or odd ways you behave (like when you suddenly go hostile and you're unsure why but you're triggered so you continue being hostile ...more
While this book takes a focus on romantic relationships, I think the attachment theory by John Bowlby pretty much applies to all relationships - i.e. friends, family, etc. You will begin to notice certain things you do or odd ways you behave (like when you suddenly go hostile and you're unsure why but you're triggered so you continue being hostile ...more
this was good, and I found the insights on insecure attachments to be spot on. BUT I found some of the advice towards the end questionable. if you are notorious for making bad choices in relationships, just to have connection, then advice about opening yourself up to even more opportunities to connect must be done judiciously, not willy nilly with abandon. That said, it is still a good place to start reading if you have issues along this vein.
This book really hit the mark for me as someone who is both anxiously attached and who finds her attitudes change depending on what relationship is being considered (friendship, parent, romantic partner, work colleague). I wish I'd read this book much sooner after my divorce, because it helped me to gain some clarity about how I feel about myself as well as how I feel about my own behavior within my relationship.
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I’ve been struggling with anxious attachment style my whole relationships in the past but in 2020, I had a wake up call when I dated a guy I met in dating apps. I turned into searching for a boom like this and I wished I have read this book before I started jumping into dating. It really helped me with my awareness of my attachment style and how to be a better and self compassionate person while dealing with this trauma. I really loved this book! Really saved me.
Bad title. This book discusses a myriad of relationships, not just romantic ones. It also goes into detail about various attachment styles, not just anxiously attached.
I found it insightful, validating, and useful for navigating my own attachment issues. A good starting point for my own growth in this area.
Chapters 1-5 offer good information on attachment typing. Chapters 6 forward are examples and exercises for how to move forward.
I found it insightful, validating, and useful for navigating my own attachment issues. A good starting point for my own growth in this area.
Chapters 1-5 offer good information on attachment typing. Chapters 6 forward are examples and exercises for how to move forward.
Jun 30, 2017
Anna
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
z-lc-english,
nf-life-improvement
A friend pointed out some things to me, and after some googling I found recommendations for this book. Lot of the things I knew, what I found out is, that I'm not as "bad" as I thought and what's even better: what to do about it. Some of it I have been already doing and it's been working. It's not always easy to see your own blind spots, but some friends are very helpful :)
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I really enjoyed this book as an introduction to myself for more on attachment theory. I came to this book with a good basis of mindfulness and self-compassion practice so I didn't find that part personally useful, but I think if you were looking on how to get started with those concepts as well as explore attachment theory then this is a great introduction book!
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Very helpful
This book was very helpful in identifying & working through attachment related anxiety. It helped me identify problems I have been struggling with and didn’t know how to address. It also facilitates an environment of change rather than just accepting the way you are if you’re not happy with it.
This book was very helpful in identifying & working through attachment related anxiety. It helped me identify problems I have been struggling with and didn’t know how to address. It also facilitates an environment of change rather than just accepting the way you are if you’re not happy with it.
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Leslie Becker-Phelps, PhD, is a licensed psychologist, author, and speaker. She writes The Art of Relationships blog for WebMD and is the relationship expert for WebMD's relationships and coping community. She also writes the blog Making Change for Psychology Today. Becker-Phelps previously served at Somerset Medical Center in Somerville, NJ, as director of women's psychological services and chief
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“Love yourself before you love someone else.”
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“Some children perceive their parents as inconsistently available. It could be because the parents are unavoidably focused on pressing life situations or on their own emotional needs. The child’s inherent sensitivity is also a factor. Whatever the reason, children who come to question whether their parents are available are extremely upset even by the thought of their parents not being there for them. This is characteristic of a preoccupied attachment style.”
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