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