Behaviors Commonly Associated with Insecure Attachment
Acts overly charming or is manipulative
Makes poor eye contact
Displays indiscriminate affection towards strangers
Shows affection with parents only on their terms
Rejects affection from parents (goes limp or rigid, pushes away, squirms)
Argues for long periods of time
Demonstrates a tremendous need to control people and situations
Acts incredibly innocent, even when caught in the act
Engages in daredevil or risk-taking behaviors
Breaks belongings deliberately, then doesn't miss them'
Breaks other's belongings deliberately
Lacks a conscience, guilt, or remorse
Is cruel to smaller children or animals
Acts impulsively
Steals - even things they could easily obtain or would have been given
Demands things instead of asking for them
Is unable to learn from mistakes or consequences
Makes false allegations of abuse or maltreatment
Has a high pain tolerance
Refuses to let anyone help or comfort them
Sneaks things - even things for which they would have been given permission
Lies frequently
Has food issues, such as hoarding, gorging, sneaking, or eating very slowly
Demonstrates poor social skills or delayed development of social skills
Engages in temper tantrums lasting up to 2 hours
Engages in non-stop chattering
Asks questions to which they know the answers
Shows poor academic effort or fails to work to their potential
Does "paybacks" or gets revenge for not getting their way
Tries purposely to make adults mad
Has a preoccupation with fire or gore
Lacks respect for authority figures
Is unable to trust that anyone understands what they need
Feels alone, sad, ashamed or worthless much of the time